This is not about becoming a professional surfer or anything in that sorts, but I have been busting my a** trying to find a job that has something to do with the action sports industry. I have a degree in Marketing, with a specialization in Management. I know most people will say never mix your passion with work, but I feel like this is the only way to keep me motivated and focused. Obviously myself I would love to do something involved with surfing, but at this point I do not have a preference (surfing, skating, snow, biking etc.). I will do anything just get a foot in the door. Malakye.com is an excellent job search engine for the action sports industry, but I feel as if every job is in California, and they won't even acknowledge the fact I live all the way in Jersey. In my cover letters and resume, I state that I'am or have relocated, just so they would hopefully glance at my resume (I HAVE NO PROBLEM IN RE-LOCATING, ANYWHERE). I guess my question to you guys is are there any tools I can use to maximize my search? Is it really all about who you know? I have a feeling moving out to Cali, the "mecca" of surfing and action sports industry may help, but then what? I have minimal amounts of money. I have tried attending the huge trade shows in NYC, and CO, but you need to represent a company, which I dont. I would appreciate it if you guys had any information, or know of anyone that I can get in touch with, that may be able to help. I'm just a young surfer trying to live out his dream, and launch his career! Any info would be much Appreciated! Cheers!
Agreed, and I would absolutely do it. Problem is, most internships are only for college credits (which im out of school), and mostly unpaid. In my situation it would be extremely hard to swing an unpaid internship. I've looked into a bunch already. I understand some will say you can't just jump into your "dream job", you have to put in the grunt work. But I have been searching non stop, and have had NO luck whatsoever, even for just an entry level marketing position. It's getting old fast! The saying "its all about who you know", has never been more true. I want to say 95% of the people I speak with about the "job search" have scored one through someone they know. It's the hard truth, but I refuse to let that get in my way........
be willing to take anything to get your foot in the door and a chance to prove yourself. don't shoot for the big job right away. Having stated the obvious, its a tough time right now. There are some local companies in Jersey that you might try. Small clothing companies, Hyperflex (??). what about rep jobs. Anything to get something 'real' on your resume would work. If you have a good relationship with a local shop, you might want to talk to the owner to see if he can get your info in front of reps. Sometimes they can hire helpers at very minimal salaries.
Because I "knew" someone, I was able to get the unpaid internship that eventually led to my job. If you manage to land an internship, get a job at walmart to pay the bills and say goodbye to your social life.
Watching and helping 3 friends break into the market starting a skate shop and brand...Action sports is a 'bro club' any which way you cut it... it is who you know...if its what you want to do it there's dues to be paid...it sucks...I did free labor at their shop...provided food and beer a lot of times as they invested all their time and borrowed alot of money for a year and a half without receiving a single take home dime...started small... local brands like Cape Fear decks...Worm...Schmack...Glass...Jetty... then right on the verge of success... serious meetings with Norfolk City officials about skate parks... landing a few major brands and getting theirs off the ground...taking on a serious investor...tax time revealed one of the friends wasn't a very good friend and almost two years without pay made him steal $20,000 from the company... Anyways the moral is probably all things you already know but... start small...you'll be poor but take whatever... make connections...and if a couple of dummies with a dream can almost do it...I'm sure you can too
EXPERIENCE... Both in Marketing and the action sports world. Get the experience any way you can, this will open up a lot more interest from potential companies for you to work for.
I have a design & marketing firm - would love to get a "surf" related client. Willing to offer a great deal for a "foot in the door" opportunity. Websites, Ads, Marketing materials, Trade show or POP displays, whatever you need for a surf shop or surf business, shapers, etc... Darkbarrels - sweat equity goes a long way... sounds like you're young and have the freedom you need to search out the perfect opportunity.
You should just take the plunge for 6-12 months and move out to Southern California. Avoid looking for work in the City of LA and the “city” of San Diego. Most action sports companies operate out of North County SD County and Orange County… I lived and worked down in the city of SD for 7-8 years and surfed everyday with local pro-ams and a bunch of local shop owners etc… Didn’t meet many big whig action sports execs, But when I started working up in the Del Mar/Carlsbad area, I sh** you not, I met like half of the surf industry within a few months. The guys that own Nixon, the upper management for Sanuk, the Quiksilver reps, the account execs for Dragon optics, Hurley, Sector 9… I mean, the list goes on. And while I started getting a lot of cool free stuff, I had no interest in getting into the action sports business, as I am happy in my current industry that allows me to get in the water enough and I love the work. Point being, those big marketing/job websites have some decent gigs on them, but you won’t here about most word of mouth kind of things without being there. Most people I know that surf a ton and are really into action sports don’t work in the market. There are plenty of high paying jobs out in SoCal and most of the action sports industry people that are out there have family roots out there and make great money doing other things. So, my honest advice is do something to make good money and that will allow you to surf when you want, and trust me you will be happy… But if you want into the action sports market, you will have a tough time not being in southern California… Things come along every now and again elsewhere, but few and far between…. If you want in that business, you gotta go where the money is…. And just start meeting people. Simple as that…. Having a beer with the right guy or actually meeting people out in the water at a good spot on a good day opened more doors in the surf industry for me more than any email or website could…. One more reminder/word of advice. Southern California’s don’t like transplants, so leave that out of your hello speech =) just my 2 cents.
