What do you do? Just wondering how many people work in the industry and what other kind’s of careers are out there.
I work in Sports Marketing/Advertising for Gatorade (work for their agency, not Gatorade). The job itself is not “active,” but everything I deal with on a daily basis is focused on an active consumer. It makes it a lot more enjoyable to be working on a brand that is relevant to the lifestyle I lead.
Drew
I wear a few hats here at Trisports.com but my primary one is editor of the on-line magazine section called TriSports University.
I develop, write, photograph, edit and design content for that section of the website.
I’m also assigned to the Facebook and Slowtwitch “beats” as our media liason.
This is a big part of what I do:
What do you do? Just wondering how many people work in the industry and what other kind’s of careers are out there.
I don’t have a fitness career, but I live in Beaverton Oregon where it seems everyone works for Nike. Every person there is active and are highly encouraged to take part in a nearly uncountable number of team and individual sports both on and off campus.
Interestingly Adidas’ North American HQ are also here in Portland, presumably to poach Nike’s employees and cast-off’s.
Any brand reps here? I work for a bike and ski shop. I haven’t been able to talk to any of the reps yet but how do these jobs become available.
And Tom, I believe you fitted me on my bike a few years back. It’s won 80% of the races, no big deal : )
You absolutely must go to outdoor industry jobs.com
http://www.outdoorindustryjobs.com/
It’s a strong resource.
wow that site looks great, I have already created an account.
Thanks
Also- the jobs forum on this website is valuable.
I am TriSports.com’s Tucson Training Destination Specialist. I am a liason and local resource for coaches and endurance athletes planning camps or training trips to Tucson. It’s a fun gig.
G
what are you looking to do… lots of 'active" jobs in SanDiego.
I retired in 2003 with 30 years service with the US Army/Navy. Fairly active job. Especially when I was dodging bullets and rockets in Vietnam. Now I work part-time as a crew member on a riverboat that carrys tourists up and down the Susquehanna river. Very active and lots of fun. Real challange when we have to retrieve the anchors.
I do, kind of. I work at an advertising agency- Saatchi & SaatchiLA and I manage a research group and my primary role is to manage all experiential marketing programs for Toyota in everything triathlon, cycling, swimming, running, health & fitness related as well as some other random projects in baseball, vehicle launch programs, etc. It is a pretty unbelievable gig that I literally fell into because of just knowing the right people and being at the right place at the right time.
x2 on this recommendation: http://www.outdoorindustryjobs.com/
I work for Under Armour, a bit of a polarizing company within the endurance community but we are a large sponsor of Macca’s.
I’m a mechanical engineer. I used to drive a computer at my desk. Now I’m working for a construction company and spend all day climbing ladders marking pipes and cables and equipment! FARK!!! My legs get an amazing workout 9 hours every day. The bike ride home each night can be pretty slow some days, but my overal fitness is getting better every day.
Probably not what you meant but it’s what I do.
Keep doing what you are doing. I started in a shop, then after college was hired as a tech rep, then promoted to sales rep, then moved in house for various roles in the marketing dept and product management - all with the same company in 10 years of employment with them. Its lots of fun, but it is also a job and there are down time too.
The best way to get in is to let the reps know that you want to work in the industry. Reps are always looking for tech/sub reps or some sort of help. The company tech rep gigs are all but gone these days so you’ll most likely end up working for an independent rep rather than a company, but it is one of the few ways in. Depending on the type of shop your in, the owner or buyer may be a big help as they will know the management team at the companies.
My suggestion is to pick a few companies that you would like to work for and focus on getting a job with them. With time the right opportunity will come.
Keep in mind that the industry is small and there are not too many positions available and, in general, no one leaves, but once you’re in, you’re in. Patience is key, luck will not hurt and network the hell out of yourself. No one will know about your desires if your don’t let them be known. Volunteering to help out a rep at events is a good start.
For every job you see on outdoorjobs.com, BRAIN, etc there are 5 or more that do not get advertised. Word of mouth and being in the right place at the right time as more to do with it than an HR dept might be willing to admit.
Malayke.com is another good source for industry jobs.
Good luck.
I sell mid to high end fitness equipment. I’m the store manager (of 1 store) for a chain that has 17 stores. We have most of the good brands and carry mostly treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, gyms and accessories, etc.
90%+ of the people I sell to are just your average person looking to get in better shape and/or lose weight. We take into account their goals, the space they have for it, any medical issues, what they have used in the past, etc. Then we recommend products and show them how to use them. Our relationship with clients extends far beyond the initial sale in many cases.
My job is 50% sales, 25% management, 25% logistics (moving product from one place to where it needs to go).
EDIT: Forgot to mention, just FYI, I got into the job because I had an exercise phys degree, and thats what my company looks for. That combined with fine-dining and bike shop sales experience got me in. My strong sales record over the course of my first year got me into management.
-Physiojoe
I do, kind of. I work at an advertising agency- Saatchi & SaatchiLA and I manage a research group and my primary role is to manage all experiential marketing programs for Toyota in everything triathlon, cycling, swimming, running, health & fitness related as well as some other random projects in baseball, vehicle launch programs, etc. It is a pretty unbelievable gig that I literally fell into because of just knowing the right people and being at the right place at the right time.
x2 on this recommendation: http://www.outdoorindustryjobs.com/
So do you know of Great lakes relay in michigan? I know Toyota sponsors it. It’s an awesome race in northern Michigan!
Well I’m a big time, super famous pro triathlete. I also coach triathlon, running, cycling, skiing. Also do some freelance writing, currently with LAVA magazine primarily. I was online editor at Inside Triathlon prior to the CGI buyout/move to SD. I suppose all those are “in the industry” in some way. I’ve also worked at a run store, cycling store, taught swimming, and managed a compu-trainer studio.
Maybe I need to get out of the industry…or race faster.
Jimmy
I do know of it but despite Toyota being involved I am pretty hands off as I only work on the National Strategy and local/regional events are typically handled by the regions and local dealers. We provide general strategy/direction in the category for them but they have their own sets of events/goals. My world has shrunk a little recently but included everything from The Toyota Grand Prix(swimming), Toyota Cup(Triathlon), Danskin Series(Triathlon), NYC Marathon, Life Time Fitness Club Sponsorship/Activation to the Toyota United Cycling Team.
Glad to hear that you enjoy the event and I will pass that on to my counterparts!!
I teach skiing and have a so-called “real job” to cover the expense of teaching skiing.