That Text From the Boss
You're sitting in your car, a message comes in. Your boss wants you to come to work on Saturday. But Saturday you have pre-game practice. Everyone knows what pre-game practice means - miss it once, and you're out.
And now you're sitting there, trying to figure it out. You need money. You want to move out. You don't want to wait until you're thirty before sports "start paying." Every athlete between 17 and 25 knows this pressure.
But here's the thing most people don't realize in that moment: the problem isn't that you need money. Money is a normal need. The problem is the kind of job you picked.
Two Questions That Will Decide for You
When this situation comes up, try to answer two things honestly:
- Does this job have long-term value for you?
- Do you actually enjoy it?
If you answered no to both - then you have your answer. This job gives you nothing. It takes your weekends, takes your training, and in a few years there won't even be a line on your resume you can point to.
Two "no"s = wrong job. A part-time job should give you more than just a paycheck. If it only gives you cash and nothing else, it's time to look for a different one.
That doesn't mean you have to quit right away. But you should tell yourself: this is temporary and I'm going to change it soon. And then actually change it.
A Part-Time Job Isn't Just a Source of Cash
This is the biggest mental shift most athletes need to make. A job should open doors for you, not just fill your bank account.
Specifically: if you want to work in marketing someday, look for a part-time job at a company that does marketing. If you're into sports and fitness, work as a youth coach or an assistant at a gym. If you're interested in business, try sales or customer service at an interesting company.
Why? Because when you're 23 or 25 and looking for a real job, what matters is what you can say about yourself. It's not enough to say "I had a part-time job." What's powerful is saying: "For three years I coached youth teams and learned to lead people. For two years I helped a company with social media communication and understood what customers want."
That's the difference.
Sports Aren't a Hobby - And You Have to Know How to Say That
This is where athletes make the most common mistake. They go to an interview or send a message to their boss and apologize for having practice. As if sports were a problem.
They're not.
Companies want athletes. Really. And it makes sense - an athlete knows how to work under pressure, understands discipline, can handle repetition without losing focus, and knows what it means to lose and get back up. Those are things that are otherwise hard to learn.
Companies want athletes. But you have to know how to sell it properly. Don't ask for understanding - explain what your sport means and what you've learned from it. That's an offer, not an apology.
How to say it at an interview or when setting up a part-time job? Like this:
- "I actively play hockey at a competitive level. I train every day, with games every weekend. That means I need a flexible schedule - but in return, I'm used to meeting deadlines and working under pressure."
- "Thanks to sports, I know what teamwork is, and I can follow instructions even when I disagree. It worked in the club, it'll work here."
That's a completely different energy than saying: "Can I have Saturday off because I have a game?"
How to Find the Right Part-Time Job
Three steps that work:
1. Answer One Question
What do you enjoy and what would you like to do someday? You don't need an exact answer. A direction is enough. Marketing, sports, people, technology, business - anything that interests you at least a little.
2. Look in That Area, Not in "Student Job" Listings
Don't rely on job boards with listings for warehouse and cashier positions. Write directly to companies that interest you. Tell them you're looking for a part-time job, explain what you can do thanks to sports, and ask if they have a spot for you. This is how 80% of interesting jobs work - not through ads.
3. Set Clear Rules From the Start
At the first call or email, say: I train every afternoon, I have games on weekends. I'm looking for a job that respects this. Whoever accepts that - great. Whoever doesn't - that's not your company.
The sooner you say it, the better. Then you won't be surprised by a text from your boss on Friday night.
A job that understands sports aren't a hobby exists. You just need to actively look for it - and approach it as an athlete, not as someone apologizing for training.
And What About That Boss and Saturday?
Reply to them. Politely, clearly. Say you have pre-game practice and it has to take priority. If the company can't understand that even once, it's not a company where you want to be.
It's not about being ungrateful or unreliable. You should have stated the rules from the very beginning. If you didn't - you know what to do next time. And if you did, but your boss is ignoring them, then you have your answer.
This isn't just about a part-time job. It's your first training session in how you'll communicate in a full-time job someday. Learn it now, thanks to sports. So you'll be ready.
Want to know how to specifically find a job that fits your training schedule? Check out 5 Ways to Earn Money as an Athlete - you'll find specific types of jobs, how many hours you can realistically handle, and how not to burn out.