After Golf College: What Next?
Sep 21, 2007
If you've been working hard at a good golf college, chances are that you want some sort of professional golf job at the end of your studies. However, translating your golf education into a good job can give you the jitters. Being placed on the job market can be daunting. However, there are things you can do to increase your chances of landing a job you will love:
Set goals
Before you start applying for jobs right out of college, take some time to carefully consider what sort of jobs you want. Do you want to be a professional golfer, instructor, or golf course manager? Would you want to set up your own golf related business? Talk to the career counselor at your school to determine all of your options. Many graduates don't realize how many golf jobs there actually are. You can become a trick shot artist for the movies, a golf writer, or even a scuba diver that retrieves balls that have fallen into deep waters. There are far more jobs in the industry than you can imagine, and some require further education while others are available to you right out of school. List all the jobs you might be interested in, and do more research into those jobs. Figure out which jobs you will be targeting.
Think about your golf college experience
What exactly did you get out of your schooling? Did you meet some great contacts who might be able to land you a job? Does your school have an excellent career counseling service that can help you with applications? Does your school arrange for visits from recruiters or does it arrange a school job fair? Would your school have information about any golf job fairs? Write down everything that your schooling has given you. When it's time to apply, you'll have a long list of resources to select from.
Gather all your resources
Don't just focus on what your school has offered you, but lists all of the resources you have. Do you have many hours spent on the greens? Do you tutor students after class? Do you have other educational or work experience that can translate into a job when combined with your golf education? Write down all the resources you have. That way, when interviewers ask or when you're filling out an application, you will already know all the reasons someone should hire you.
Network
Spend time talking with your instructors, your school staff, and others you meet during your courses. You never know when one of them will hear about a great job opportunity that is perfect for you.
Write a great application
Write up your résumé, using your list of resources and your list of what you got out of your schooling. Write a great cover letter for the résumé, as well. When applying for specific job, make sure that you research the position and the company you are applying for, to increase the chances that you will be able to offer them exactly what they're looking for. If you need help, consider hiring a professional writer or visiting the career counselor at your school in order to get help with your application. The stronger your application, the more likely you are to get accepted.
Don’t wait for job ads
Graduates of a golf college often scour classified ads looking for jobs, but this is truly not the best way to look. Instead, try networking your way to a job or simply contact golf companies that you'd be interested in working for. Even if those companies are currently not advertising a job, they may have positions opening up soon.
A golf college can truly be your path to a successful professional golf career. Follow these simple tips, and you will increase the chances of landing an excellent job right out of school.