A Job in Sports Research

[BobbyBobBob]

Hello

I have come to a point in my life where I want to have a change of career. The only problem is, I struggle to find any inspiration and need a little help. People always say there ideal job would involve doing something that they already do as a hobby. I don't realy have any major hobbies except I'm very keen on Sports and like to keep myself relatively healthy. One idea that has sprung to mind is the field of 'Sports Research' if there is such a field. I know Sports research is not very specific but I'm not sure how in depth it actually goes. Does anybody know how to get involved in a career like this, and whether its worth doing?

Thanks

[buildersmate]

Whilst not claiming to offer in-depth knowledge as to whether 'Sports Research' is a career or not, the general point I would make is that a job or career really needs to be linked to what market or customer would want such a thing. So you really need to think about who (individually or corporately) would pay for the knowledge or research that you might produce.
On that basis, I can't see it could work - but maybe that helps someone else (or you) now to see a possible angle.
Hobbies are useful often as a basis of a career change when one has in-depth knowledge or particular skills are a saleable to someone else. Being fit and keen on sports in general is a bit generic and covers quite a big chunk of the younger population, so again it is hard for me to think how you can get a unique angle on it.

[Whoever]

I think your idea is too fuzzy to work unless you can be specific about who would employ you in such a capacity. If you're thinking about research into sport, a sports journalist would, as part of his role, from time to time have to research various issues on sport before writing about it, but getting into sports journalism would be difficult without any prior experience, even on a local provincial paper as these are all feeling the financial pinch as a result of the recession and many of them are merging.
You don't say what you are doing at the moment so it's difficult to try and suggest how you might possibly use existing skills in a different role. One book I can recommend is a handbook for job hunters and career changers is called "What Colour is your parachute? by Richarde Nelson Bolles.. It's full of really helpful suggestions on how to "brainstorm" future career possibilities. If you belong to a local library, they may have a copy which you can borrow free, but it's such a useful handbook that it's probably worth having a permanent copy to keep on your bookshelf..