USTA joins Discovery Education to start careers program

The USTA is teaming up with Discovery Education to help introduce more high school students to the possibility of an exciting career in sports.

The partnership, highlighted by the brand new education initiative – Careers Beyond the Court – represents the first time the USTA has entered into a relationship with a global education company. The recently launched program is available to participating high school students nationwide at no cost.

The Careers Beyond the Court program aims to provide students, their families and educators with multiple engaging resources that will help provide an all-access look into the many career opportunities available within the tennis industry. It will also cover the benefits of pursuing tennis as a career path. 

“To develop the next generation of leaders in our sport, it is essential to provide professional development programs and education,” said Scott Schultz, Managing Director, USTA University. “We are extremely proud to team up with Discovery Education to provide high school students the resources and skills necessary to achieve success in the tennis industry.”

The program is segmented into two parts: introducing students to the tennis industry and then helping them pursue a career in the field. 

The resources available through the program include video vignettes, career profiles, industry guides and a list of colleges with specific degrees to consider. These resources were designed specifically to build students’ excitement and skills in the professional tennis industry, and they offer a holistic look at the industry’s wide range of career opportunities.

By highlighting the colleges and universities with specific degrees and programs in professional tennis management, the Careers Beyond the Court program can help students find the school that is right for them. The schools recommended by the program were also tapped for the opportunities they provide their students in terms of networking, paid internships and job placement opportunities in the professional tennis industry. 

In addition, Careers Beyond the Court created career pathways to be utilized by teachers, guidance counselors and students and their families. These pathways showcase the technical innovations enhancing the sport today, the complex business skills necessary for achievement in the industry, the potential career paths as well as how a talent for helping others could make students a perfect ambassador for the sport they love. 

“Careers Beyond the Court is designed to expose young people to the real-world occupations that are open to them as they pursue STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Math] subjects,” said Senior Vice President of Discovery Education Lori McFarling.