What does a pole vaulter do for a living??

[joebro391]

hey guys, i've been thinking about it, and i don't know what to do. i used to want to go into computers...but these days, the only thing that makes me happy is pole vaulting. that's pretty sad, BUT...i know this sport pretty well. i really want to vault for as long as i can but don't really see being able to live on that (even if i was winning most meets) haha

i guess what i'm trying to say is, how could i use my knowledge for pole vaulting, or at least my drive for it, to earn a living?? Honestly, i want to be a coach someday at a university. i'm only 17 now, but i'm looking ahead i guess. could one actually live off a coaching salery?? (if one could even manage to find a one)

also, seeing as how this is all i really like, what do i do about college?? my grades are good and i have a decent shot to get a scholarship to whatever school, but what do i major in?? exercise science?? if only there was a pole vaulting major hahaha.

i know this is random, and none of you really know me, but what are your thoughts and concerns on this?? and don't tell me to seek help...i'm already seeing it. -Joe

[KirkB]

You could become a teacher and coach PV at a high school or college, but don't expect to make money as a professional pole vaulter - very few do.

I think you're a normal 17-year-old that is more interested in his chosen sport than a career right now. That's OK. A lot of us have been in your shoes at your age. Continue your love of pole vaulting, but get some career counseling on what's really interesting and fun for you, and what you're good at (besides pole vaulting).

In other words, continue having fun and pursuing your PV dreams/aspirations, but don't put all your eggs in that basket. Get to college, and when you're there, take general courses (until you decide on a major), and keep your eye out for a second interest that might be an interesting career.

BTW, there's very, very few PV-only professional coaches in the US - that don't subsidize their income by other work. You can probably count them on one hand (Challenge: Can anyone name them? If there are any, they should be well-known on this forum.) If you coach in high school or college, you'll have to cover many other events.

Good luck to you - in your sport, and in your career! Please consider the reality that these may be two different things.

Kirk

[achtungpv]

You can easily live off of a coaching salary...the question is can your (future) spouse live off of a coaching salary?

[rainbowgirl28]

hey guys, i've been thinking about it, and i don't know what to do. i used to want to go into computers...but these days, the only thing that makes me happy is pole vaulting. that's pretty sad, BUT...i know this sport pretty well. i really want to vault for as long as i can but don't really see being able to live on that (even if i was winning most meets) haha

i guess what i'm trying to say is, how could i use my knowledge for pole vaulting, or at least my drive for it, to earn a living?? Honestly, i want to be a coach someday at a university. i'm only 17 now, but i'm looking ahead i guess. could one actually live off a coaching salery?? (if one could even manage to find a one)

also, seeing as how this is all i really like, what do i do about college?? my grades are good and i have a decent shot to get a scholarship to whatever school, but what do i major in?? exercise science?? if only there was a pole vaulting major hahaha.

i know this is random, and none of you really know me, but what are your thoughts and concerns on this?? and don't tell me to seek help...i'm already seeing it. -Joe

If you like the science side of things, Exercise Science can be a fun way to go, if you are interested more in the business/administrative side of things, Sports Management can be the way to go. It doesn't matter a ton what you major in, it's more about the experience you get. If you want to coach in college, you'd better find a school you can vault at.

[rainbowgirl28]

If you want to be a full-time college coach, you need to learn how to coach other events as well, usually jumps and/or multis. Many coaches take the path of being a college vaulter, getting a graduate assistantship somewhere and going to grad school, then being incredibly poor. You need to marry someone who is OK with that. If she has a job that helps pay the bills that is great, but you need to also plan ahead for what will happen when she has kids. It's pretty tough to support a family being a college coach, but it's not impossible, you just have to make sacrifices.

Or you could get a real job and coach on the side.