Money Makers - Student-Athletes and Employment

 As student-athletes head back to the classroom this month to sharpen both their athletic and academic skills, new analysis of nearly 700,000 resumes from LiveCareer identifies key areas where athletes both excel and lag when it comes to communicating their transferable skills to potential employers. 

Key Gaps in Student-Athlete Resumes:

• Problem-solving and professional development are underrepresented – Student-athletes mention "problem solving and critical thinking" 63% less often and "professional development" 138% less often than non-athletes, indicating a gap in articulating transferable analytical and career-building skills.
• Lower emphasis on motivation and initiative – Surprisingly, student-athletes list "motivation and initiative" 42% less frequently than non-athletes, despite their experience in competitive environments.
• Technical and interpersonal skills show minimal difference – While athletes report "technical skills" 12% more often than non-athletes, they are 24% less likely to highlight "interpersonal skills," suggesting a need to refine how they present their communication abilities.

To ensure their unique strengths are recognized by employers, student-athletes can take these proactive steps to showcase their skills and experience:

• Translate athletic achievements into workplace skills: In job searches, highlight leadership, teamwork, and discipline gained from sports, and showcase time management skills developed by balancing academics and athletics.
• Use action-oriented language on resumes: Describe achievements with strong verbs like “led,” “coordinated,” or “achieved” to clearly demonstrate their skill set to employers.
• Seek out career coaching for support: Use college career centers to get feedback on resumes and job search materials, ensuring these tools connect with employers and available opportunities. 
• Develop an online presence: Build a strong professional brand by creating a LinkedIn profile to showcase achievements and connect with classmates, coaches, and professionals.
• Request recommendations that highlight in-demand skills: Letters of recommendation from coaches, professors or mentors can emphasize key skills that are highly valued in the workplace. Additionally, LinkedIn’s recommendation feature also captures feedback. 
• Practice story-telling for interviews: Prepare and practice stories that demonstrate overcoming challenges, leading teams, or managing high-pressure situations, helping to excel in interviews and networking conversations. 
• Focus on networking and attending networking events: Attend networking events, career fairs, and industry panels to explore career paths and build valuable professional connections.
• Gain experience during the off-season: Pursue internships or volunteer roles in the off-season to build professional experience and showcase skills developed through sports.

Employers looking for disciplined and team-oriented candidates should consider the untapped potential of former athletes and provide guidance to help them highlight their transferable skills.

I had a chance to learn more in this interview with Jasmine Escalera, career expert for LiveCareer.

What are some strengths that being a student-athlete has on a resume?

Student-athletes bring a unique set of strengths to the workplace, helping them stand out on a resume and become highly desirable employees. According to data from the resume builder LiveCareer, student athletes often highlight their adaptability, ability to perform under pressure, and work ethic at much higher rates than their peers. The LiveCareer survey found that student-athletes list work ethic 62% more often and stress management 47% more often, likely the result of balancing the demands of their academic and athletic lives. They also emphasize teamwork and organizational skills, which naturally translate into successful careers in dynamic, fast-paced environments focusing heavily on collaboration across teams. These strengths demonstrate that student-athletes are not only capable of handling a broad range of roles, but can also thrive in positions where team work, discipline, flexibility, and consistency are critical. It’s like adding a built-in motivator to your workplace who’s wired to push through challenges and rally the team.

What are some weaknesses that student-athletes sometimes have in their resumes?

While student athletes bring a lot of impressive strengths to any employer, data collected by LiveCareer shows that they can often fall short in highlighting some very important professional skills. For example, student-athletes mention problem solving and critical thinking 63% less often than their non-athlete peers. Interestingly, while student-athletes often highlight teamwork, they are 24% less likely to call out interpersonal skills, which are essential for strong workplace communication. The data isn’t meant to suggest student-athletes lack these pivotal skills, but rather that they need support in aligning their value to employers. That’s why it’s important for student-athletes to take advantage of career services, coaching, and mentorship opportunities at their colleges to learn how to position their experiences in ways that will resonate with any employer and get them hired. 

How can athletes fit professional development into busy training calendars?

Athletes have busy schedules managing both athletic and academic tasks. Here are a few key ways they can fit much needed professional development into their schedule to be fully prepared for their next step. 

Don’t go it alone. Professional development for any student should never be a solo endeavor. Student-athletes can start by seeking out guidance from their career services office or mentors to help clarify goals and start to map out development opportunities that fit their schedule. 

Identify what matters most. A great starting point for all student-athletes is to get a clear understanding of the skills and experiences that will make the biggest impact for their next career move. Focusing on what is most relevant to their desired career journey will help them not waste time on activities that don’t move them forward. 

Seek out an accountability partner or development buddy. Student-athletes can find someone on their team, or even another student in their network, who is working on similar career goals. This kind of “buddy system” helps with motivation, support, and staying on target, even when schedules get a bit chaotic. 

Focus on small, but consistent, wins. Carving out even small chunks of time to focus on professional development can help any student-athlete get, and stay, ahead of the career curve. Setting a weekly time that feels doable and sticking to it is always a great way to build momentum and stay consistent.

If athletes took a less traditional path because of their athletic career, how can they still make sure they stand out to employers?

Athletes who take a less traditional path can stand out to employers by focusing on transferable skills, which are qualities that apply across multiple positions. For example, skills like teamwork, discipline, resilience, time management, and organization are highly valued in any workplace and role. It’s important for student-athletes to identify these skills and highlight them in their resume and job applications. Creating a strong resume or cover letter can be challenging, so seeking support can help translate athletic experience into professional impact. It is also important to practice how to tell your story in interviews, so you confidently articulate your value and experience. By framing athletic achievements as transferable skills, athletes can make a strong impression and set themselves apart from other candidates.

To view the full report and for more information, please visit https://www.livecareer.com/resources/student-athletes .

Methodology

This analysis was conducted using resume data from LiveCareer’s extensive database of job seekers across multiple industries. The study examined the frequency of skill mentions among student-athletes compared to non-athlete job seekers across 693,734 resumes, identifying key differences in how they present their qualifications.

About LiveCareer

LiveCareer's online resume builder is designed to empower its users to get better jobs and improve their job search. A one-stop shop among AI resume builder tools, LiveCareer features cutting-edge resume templates, a powerful cover letter builder, and extensive free career resources to support job candidates in reaching their professional goals. Trusted by over 10 million users around the world, LiveCareer has been publishing expert advice from Certified Professional Resume Writers since 2005. LiveCareer’s career tips have been featured in renowned media outlets, including Bloomberg, Forbes, and Newsweek. Stay connected with LiveCareer's latest updates to improve your job search on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.