Life after baseball

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Whoever is asking the questions...make sure they love baseball!




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What kind of degree does he have/will get?

What is he interested in doing?

Has he tried the placement office at his school? SOme placement offices are very good but over half the student body ignores them....

Good points.

What kind of job is he trying to get? Most places are leery of college students because they can be spotty due to school issues and schedule problems.

The job market is tough right now so anything might be better than doing nothing. I flipped burgers for a while in college, worked for just above minimum wage at other times but the little bit of cash I got helped.

Good luck with him no matter what. Even if his baseball experience hasn't helped him lock down a part time job it will pay off in the future when he does get a job. Team players and hard workers get recognized no matter where they work or what they do.

How about being a baseball instructor at a local indoor facility? He would have night / weekend hours which would work with school. Many current instructors are coaches that are about to start their seasons and either cut their hours or stop completely. Many facilities need instructors just at the point coaches are leaving. He also can get to know the parents of the kids that come in and network for future employment that way. Instructing is also a great way to start a coaching career. Best of luck to you and your son!

Baseball By The Yard

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what skills or attributes would you say would be valuable to a prospective employer that come from being a fulltime collegiate baseball player?

Teamwork. Leadership (if that was a trait of his on the team). Perseverence. Multitasking - the ability to succeed at two full-time jobs concurrently - academics and baseball - and if they have a girlfriend - three full-time jobs (j/k post-Valentines Day humor).

Has to be TONS of employers looking for those attributes and more.

Persistence, time management, self-starting, problem solving, role identifying/executing, wel-roundedness/ young person with interesting or out of the ordinary collegiate experiences (stories to tell ).

When I got my first job in the law, the hiring partner mentioned he liked seeing that I played two sports in college. To him that indicated I could be handed a whole c#@pload of work to plow through without needing much direction or hand-holding.

This does not directly answer your question, but is related. My son’s friend who has gone off to college did not have any job references, so he asked me if he could use me as one since he had worked for me when the program ran tournaments at the HS field. He worked in the snack shack, did field work, and helped umpire some games. I became his one job reference and I did get some calls when he went out and got a job.

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Originally posted by ClevelandDad:

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what skills or attributes would you say would be valuable to a prospective employer that come from being a fulltime collegiate baseball player?

Teamwork. Leadership (if that was a trait of his on the team). Perseverence. Multitasking - the ability to succeed at two full-time jobs concurrently - academics and baseball - and if they have a girlfriend - three full-time jobs (j/k post-Valentines Day humor).

Has to be TONS of employers looking for those attributes and more.

This is exactly what I was thinking. If I had two college students applying for a job. One was like your son, working his butt off to manage a schedule that included classes, practice, studying and games and the other was more like me when I was in college.....I'd hire the baseball player in heartbeat!!!

Now, that doesn't necessarily help you in this job market but hopefully it will keep your spirits high that he should draw some respect for his hard work over the last three years.

Sir, I haven't had time to work due to my commitment to baseball. I'm no longer playing baseball. I'm a hard worker. I will give your opportunity the same effort I took to get as far as college baseball.

Work ethic, competitive fire, desire to be the best, team player, leader, earned respect from many tough bosses, initiative, willing to do what it takes to get the job done, works well in large groups of people with different backgrounds, no task to large or too small, attention to detail, adapts well to changes, used to working long hours, focused, thrives in adverse conditions, not afraid to get dirty and looks good in a uniform.

You may have to disclose, however, that you have been known to steal when presented with the opportunity.
... and hit.
... and throw things.

I have two comments-- one is not so positive while I hope the other is constructive.

1) I'm sure some other companies would see this differently, but in my experience a college senior with minimal work experience (not even a summer job!?), and who instead has been playing baseball won't be viewed as viable candidate. The typical person screening apllicants has no idea of the time commitment of college sports, certainly won't understand why it seems normal to a college baseball player to have not worked in the summer, and is likely to view him as a person who feels entitled, and whose primary ambition was the pursuit of an unreachable dream. In other words, the screener will vizualize a person out of touch with the real world.

2) So a resume isn't going to be compelling. I once advertised for a scientific programmer listing the required qualifications as a Master's degree in the physical sciences. The successful candidate sent a resume with a cover letter on blue stationary which began "I realize my one college course in chemistry doesn't meet the requested qualifications." He went on to explain how he could function for us without much educational background. The key was to get our attention, and to get to an interview. His frank admisssion, coupled with his understanding that we didn't need a scientist but did need somebody who could understand science got him in the door.

I think your son needs to address the issue of minimal work experience quite directly in a cover letter. Keep the resume confined to the facts, and allow his personality and situation to emerge in a letter. I think it would be helpful to comment on away series (probably 5 days per trip) and how getting good grades shows an ability to self-motivate as well as manage time. If applicable, I would explain or imply that baseball funded my education, and staying skilled at baseball was essential. Just as most people don't know how time consuming college sports are, most also have no idea about partial scholarships.

These sort of letters should be tailored to the potential employer. Think about which qualities are important to that position and employer, and emphasize those.

Discipline. Ability to overcome obstacles.

To the right set of eyes his baseball background will be important. There is no perfect resume as how it is received can be quite subjective. This is true of all resumes - there are some people who think an Ivy League education is great, some who think it means someone is out of touch. You just have to send out enough resumes so that the right set of eyes see it.

Most importantly, he needs to believe his background is a positive, and sell it!

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Well said twotex!




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My question to you all is this - what skills or attributes would you say would be valuable to a prospective employer that come from being a fulltime collegiate baseball player?

Time management skills, and committment are the first two things that pop into my head. I think almost any college athlete learns to better manage their time with their sport and education. Your son should tell these potential employers what he did year round to prepare for baseball and schoolwork.

3FingeredGlove- Great post.

One way to get some work experience might be to volunteer as an unpaid intern in his field of choice. Who knows - it could lead to something upon graduation.

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A very good topic launched by iheartbb and a great response by ThreeFingeredGlove.



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Originally posted by J H:
3FingeredGlove- Great post.

Respectfully disagree.

3FG - you are one of our site's greatest resources but I seem to detect a negative tone these days. I hope everything is ok.

I think a cover letter is always appropriate to explain things but rather than defending oneself in the letter, I would highlight the positive. I would express just how difficult it is to succeed in college while "working" a full-time committment at baseball. There are over 15,000 members here (and many more lurkers) who are in position to hire and at least their ears would perk right up when they saw college athlete on the resume.

For one piece of anecdotal evidence supporting my position, please refer to this excellent piece in the New Yorker on Scott Boras. I have highlighted the relevant material in the following quote.

http://www.newyorker.com/repor...71029fa_fact_mcgrath

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Boras was a strong student—a scholar-athlete in the original, irony-free sense of the phrase—and he spurned inquiries from Ivy League schools, which he couldn’t afford, in favor of a scholarship to the University of the Pacific, in nearby Stockton, just outside San Francisco....

Boras got his law degree in 1982, and took a job with the Chicago firm Rooks, Pitts & Poust, doing medical-malpractice work, in which he defended drug companies against class-action suits—arguably an even less popular job, in the public consciousness, than representing A-Rod. But baseball seemed to follow him even as he set about leaving it behind. During his job hunt, he had interviewed with a dozen different firms around the country, and had had a recurring experience. “I sat down, they looked at my résumé—I have twelve years of schooling—and what do they want to talk about?” he said. “Baseball.”

Your son has learned much more than he realizes in his years of baseball. These are attributes that can serve him well in life if he draws from them. He has learned to budget his time. He has learned how to focus his energy and concentration on making and meeting goals. He has learned how to work as a team member to achieve these goals (a valuable trait for a successful businessman.) He has learned what it takes to compete and how to succeed. He understands that talent is great but success depends on hard work and perseverance. He has learned the value of self discipline that comes with representing a company or school with his actions and performance.
He has a bright future ahead of him. I wish him all the best.

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Originally posted by hsballcoach:
Your son has learned much more than he realizes in his years of baseball. These are attributes that can serve him well in life if he draws from them. He has learned to budget his time. He has learned how to focus his energy and concentration on making and meeting goals. He has learned how to work as a team member to achieve these goals (a valuable trait for a successful businessman.) He has learned what it takes to compete and how to succeed. He understands that talent is great but success depends on hard work and perseverance. He has learned the value of self discipline that comes with representing a company or school with his actions and performance.
He has a bright future ahead of him. I wish him all the best.

Use that paragraph in the cover letter.

CD- I think what 3FG was outlining was a realistic approach to job searching. There are great opportunities for employment and an outstanding ability to relate your experiences in the world of athletics to the professional world in the field you desire. However, there are employers that don't fully comprehend the concept of the dedication involved in competing in such a sport at such a high level. I don't think 3fg meant the post in a negative sense, just to outline some issues that the OP's son could come across and some examples as to ways to work around those issues.

From personal experience, I am aware that my resume might slightly be lacking. In the past year and a half, my entire working experience has been my part-time, 12 hour a week job in the basement computer lab at my college library (ironically, where I sit at this very moment). This past summer was spent in the Coastal Plain League, this coming summer will be spent doing much of the same in the Valley League. All the while, my peers/classmates/friends are busy working full-time jobs during the summers or completing internships for companies that I might be interested in working for in the future. These factors might work negatively in my favor to an employer in the future. The ability to shed positive light on this type of situation will enable the OP's son to hopefully come out with an ideal job in the end.

I see 3fg's post more along the lines of playing devil's advocate. Sure, it's easy for people to paint the picture and throw all the adjectives out there that describe all facets of a student-athlete's life in college. But why not prepare for the possibility of a sort of adversity in the future? Some people see things in a different way, and there's no harm in acknowledging that.

What gives athletes an advantage when entering the job market is the skill of being a competitor. HR professionals, especially when looking to fill management and sales positions, see the ability to compete successfully as a premium quality. It's an advantage to be a former athlete when embarking on a job search. Use it!

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Originally posted by J H:
CD- I think what 3FG was outlining was a realistic approach to job searching. There are great opportunities for employment and an outstanding ability to relate your experiences in the world of athletics to the professional world in the field you desire. However, there are employers that don't fully comprehend the concept of the dedication involved in competing in such a sport at such a high level. I don't think 3fg meant the post in a negative sense, just to outline some issues that the OP's son could come across and some examples as to ways to work around those issues.

From personal experience, I am aware that my resume might slightly be lacking. In the past year and a half, my entire working experience has been my part-time, 12 hour a week job in the basement computer lab at my college library (ironically, where I sit at this very moment). This past summer was spent in the Coastal Plain League, this coming summer will be spent doing much of the same in the Valley League. All the while, my peers/classmates/friends are busy working full-time jobs during the summers or completing internships for companies that I might be interested in working for in the future. These factors might work negatively in my favor to an employer in the future. The ability to shed positive light on this type of situation will enable the OP's son to hopefully come out with an ideal job in the end.

I see 3fg's post more along the lines of playing devil's advocate. Sure, it's easy for people to paint the picture and throw all the adjectives out there that describe all facets of a student-athlete's life in college. But why not prepare for the possibility of a sort of adversity in the future? Some people see things in a different way, and there's no harm in acknowledging that.

Everything cuts both ways so I would highlight the positive. For instance, many of these summer intern positions you guys are speaking of are no more than than glorified copy boys and go-fers. Thus, while you were busy in the Coastal Plains League Josh, many of your intern buddies were out making copies. That was a very "negative" thing for me to say but it is true in "some" cases.

I have no problem with what 3FG posted. I would never advise anyone however to feel like they were somehow less of an applicant due to baseball and certainly not advise them to defend their athletic decision in any way. In my way of thinking, baseball sets the candidate above all others - assuming they applied themselves in the classroom as well.

Focus on the positive in the cover letter. There might be one line saying, although I don't have summer experience like some of my peers, I have experiences that more than make up for it and would ultimately prove invaluable to your company...

Even having a degree, the job market is flooded with experienced people with degrees looking for jobs.

From personal experience with my daughter, the main thing is perseverence.My daughter quit a financial aide coordinator job out of college before she had another job.Big mistake.It was exactly when the economy was just starting to take this ugly turn.

She couldnt find work.Now she supports herself and in San Francisco.)not cheap).Anyways she had to take a job at Macys selling make up products.When they hired her they told her she might be able to get into marketing.Few months later the entire front offices were empty from lay offs.

This job was a tweener.(in between job), but it supported her for two years.In that two years she went on so many interviews, getting invited back for the second interview, and not get hired.

I felt for her, but she just kept getting interviews, sometimes 3-4 a week.She felt very upset that she couldnt find a job, even wth her degree.She pressed on, and on.She even added some marketing volunteer work she took on with her job from Macys.She pressed on, and eventually landed a new and great job.

My point is, its not easy out there.She had tons of work exp. in HS and volunteer work.Sometimes you have to start at the bottom.He may have to work at a Mall, fast food, etc, just to get on the job experience.

Maybe work at a Sports store, or the private lessons that were mentioned.Anything to get some exp.

If that fails volunteer work may be a good avenue to pursue while he looks for work.

Many of our players will face this right out of college.Jbs are tough and esp, when the market is flooded with unemployed graduates.Many are taking jobs that are lower ladder entry level jobs to survive.

Athletes typically know how to compete, which is a trait highly valued in the job market. This is a particularly valuable skill in sales, along with commitment, which is another trait often found in an athlete. In addition, experience in college athletics can open many doors that might otherwise be closed. So, sales might be just the ticket for your son. It's a tough world, but one that can offer great success to the few with the talent and wherewithal to succeed.

Experience working, by itself, isn't of any value other than the money earned. It needs to be related to the line of work he wants to do longer term....connected in a way he can tell a story about how it will help him be successful in the job he really wants. A career is like a batting average...gotta build it one AB (job) at a time and use it as a stepping stone toward the next one. That together with the baseball experience (teamwork, perseverence, hardwork, playing a role on a team's success, etc) and he's got a good story to tell. He needs to be careful not to get down on himself now...it's the economy, not him. Persevere!

The easiest path to getting an interview is through friends or associates. A cold call is the hard way to get interest. Playing baseball has exposed your son to a lot of parents and other people who will be interested in helping him.

My personal feeling is that playing college sports doesn't help you get in the door, its treating people right while you were playing that gets you in the door.

A recomendation from someone we know and a relevant resume will almost always get a person an interview at every CPA firm I have worked at, unless we are not planning on hiring in the next 6 months.

The college career center is a good place to start, thats how I got my first job, its not a recomendation, but its usually a step up from a cold call and some counslers are very good. I don't know what school your son goes to or what he is interested in, or how well he knows people in the athletic department but people in the AD also know alot of employers and a recomendation is a nice way of avoiding the cold call approach and generating some interest.

Good luck

I agree with everything CD, except that necessarily speaking, not every interviewer will see being an athlete in the same light as you or I would. Highlighting these points in a positive fashion would favor the OP's son. I would even go as far as saying that I wouldn't even bring up the line that you mentioned "Despite the fact that I don't have technical work experience..." Confidence in your background and what you can display in your resume, in your cover letter, and in your personal interview goes a long way. Any connotations that don't come off as viewing yourself, your capabilities, and your past experiences in a positive light could potentially cause an employer to question your confidence in the capability of accomplishing the work involved for the future.

While I fortunately haven't had to interview for a job in 25 yrs since I've held the same one, some things I may post might be dated so feel free to correct me here. I'm sure it's not much different today than back then other than the means of delivering resumes electronically, social netwoeking etc, but who knows...

With that being said, I agree with 3FG take on it and also see as playing devils advocate in that reality hits especially in tough times and a perspective needed to understand how difficult it is out in the job market and you have to hang in there and plug on.

The one thing I may have done differently is when bringing up weak points, I wouldn't necessarily volunteer that up front and try and enhance the positives that the employer is looking for. Perhaps a more appropriate time to bring up one's weakness is when the employer asks for your weaknesses and strengths. Any interview I've ever been on, it has been asked. Whether they still do it today, I'm not sure but think they would. However, when bringing up your weak points, be sure you can back it up into turning it into a positive.

As for an ex-athlete with little work experience, he/she needs any edge they can get. Even though my son only played as far as HS varsity, he has used what he has learned in baseball and probably not even thinking about it such as being reliable, on time, a team player, competitive and all the other aspects that go into playing sports. Now all the things he's doing now may not guarentee anything, by building up some resume will give him a little more ammo when going for an interview. With little or no work experience in your field of choice, it's aboiut getting an edge over the others who are competing for the same jobs and are in the same boat.

Now I'm not sure what the future will hold when my son graduates college next year but he has held good summer jobs, is reliable and all those things and is going to interview for a supervisor's position this summer. Now while it may not add up to work experience in his field of choice, he's building a foundation so that hopefully he can sell himself and land the job he wants.

The thing is you have to start somewhere, gain any kind of work experience, build a resume a little at a time and hope the right job comes at the right time.

The bottom line is timing is everything. That can't be more true in today's job market.

While trying to do the right things, scripted or whatever, sometimes being in the right place a the right time can make all the difference in the world.

For the majority of us on this site - whose sons are playing this truly for 'the love of the game' - this may be one of the most important and best threads I've seen in a while. Very few of the players that benefit from this site's informational exchange will ever get paid to play. For those that do....congratulations, you certainly deserve it.

But, for the rest, finding a job and building a career is the reality (and those that DO play for pay will someday have to do the same). This thread is terrific with some outstanding posts so far. I look forward to reading more.

One more reason this site is such an outstanding site.

Employers like athletes and military people. They're competitive, look for ways to win and losing is not an option.

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Employers like athletes and military people.

There was a time this was true, but it's not safe to assume it anymore. It depends on the industry, the role, and the hiring manager. From what I have seen in non-sales roles in the high tech industry, most hiring managers are indifferent when it comes to athletic and military background. In sales roles, athletic backgrounds are viewed positively. You need to know the culture of the company and the background of the hiring manager.