By Kirstin Olsen
WISE San Diego Board of Directors - President
My colleague Robin recently shared lessons from her decision to make a change and how it has shaped her career journey. I’m reflecting on what I’ve learned transitioning from the sports world to a desk job, at 30 years old.
After graduating high school in Florida, all I knew was that I wanted to play volleyball professionally, but knew I needed to invest a lot of time and focus in developing my game. My senior year was the first time I had ever touched a ball and I was incredibly raw. I earned a scholarship to Palm Beach Community College and began to take volleyball much more seriously. Two years later, after receiving my associate’s degree, I accepted an athletic scholarship to Cal State LA, to study Broadcast Journalism, where I continued to strengthen my game.
At that point, I thought communications and writing might be my career path, though I was not totally sold on the idea becoming a professional writer or working in broadcasting and television - yet. Outside of school, I began to gain more and more exposure to beach volleyball and loved the idea of pursuing it as a career. I saw how many people were able to successfully do just that through dedicated training and playing on the AVP Tour – so I made a commitment to myself to focus on beach volleyball after graduating. I knew it would be hard work, but I was already college athlete juggling school, volleyball, waiting tables and a social life – so I knew I could handle the focus and commitment that was required. After dedicating five incredibly tough but fun years grinding through AVP Qualifiers, traveling all over the country, I decided at the age of 30, that it was time to forge a new path and find a “real job.”
Knowing that I wanted to take my passion for sports and my degree in Broadcast Journalism and put it to work, I joined the team as a writer at Student Sports, a youth sports marketing, content and events company. Our President, Andy Bark, believed in hiring athletes and channeling their team-first mindset and work ethic into the youth sports events we produced that in his words, “changed kids’ lives through sports.” It was in that role, where that phrase became my personal motto.
ESPN acquired Student Sports, and my writing role quickly evolved into event management. I learned how to run and operate large-scale events. After three years, unfortunately our division was cut. I took that time to travel through Europe and recalibrate, deciding what my next move would be. A few months after I was presented with an opportunity to relocate from LA to San Diego, and put all I learned at Student Sports and ESPN to good use running youth lacrosse events all over the country for Adrenaline Lacrosse. After almost 3 years and multiple company restructurings, I was ready for something new.
I spent the next year as a contractor organizing private events, supporting major events for the World Surf League and Red Bull Air Race, and assisting local planners during major San Diego city-wide events. My sports event experience and background translated well in this area.
During this time, and through the connections I maintained at the AVP, I was approached about commentating high school volleyball games on Fox Sports, which eventually led to color commentary roles for beach and indoor volleyball. To date, I’ve called over 100 matches, including nearly every UCSD Volleyball Men’s and Women’s home match this past year. I’m grateful that I am able to stay close to the sport I love.
In addition to maintaining my contract work with Fox Sports, I was presented with a unique opportunity to join the San Diego Convention Center, working in Business Development. There I gained a crash course in tourism, city infrastructure, and local politics. Unfortunately, when COVID hit, I was one of the first laid off - but quickly learned the value of maintaining a strong professional network.
It was through my network of contacts that I found my way to Sports San Diego, where I proudly hold role of Senior Manager of Sports Development & Services. I spend my days helping to bring impactful sports events to our city, and where I am still able to fulfill my personal motto in changing people’s lives through sports.
Here are just a few of the lessons that I’ve learned along the way:
Take care of your professional self
You are more than your job. Join groups, grow your network, and stay connected - you’ll need it when you least expect. LinkedIn is great for networking and maintaining your personal brand, and WISE San Diego has given me a strong sense of community and purpose as Chapter President.
Find a mentor
Seek guidance from someone who knows your industry. Friends and family mean well, but a mentor with experience offers perspective, clarity, and invaluable advice.
Broaden your horizons
Leave your hometown, at least for a while. A new environment builds independence, empathy, challenges your comfort zone, and helps you grow both personally and professionally.
Be valuable
Show initiative. Find ways to contribute beyond your job description. The more helpful and team-oriented you are, the more indispensable you become.
Stay inspired
Whether through your job or volunteering, find work that gives you that “chicken skin” feeling. Fulfillment doesn’t always come from a paycheck; it often comes from purpose.
Define your purpose
Create a personal mantra. Mine started as “changing kids’ lives through sports” and evolved to “changing people’s lives through sports.” It’s on my LinkedIn page and in my heart. It guides everything I do.
Your career is a journey, not a destination
Every job will not be forever - some are stepping stones in your career journey. Take what you can from each opportunity - skills, lessons, contacts; and maintain a good reputation. The doors that open next will depend on it.
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Kirstin Olsen is the President of the WISE San Diego Board of Directors, where she leads efforts to empower and elevate women working in sports and events. Her multifaceted career includes experience as a professional volleyball player, event producer, and leader across youth, collegiate, and professional sports, media, and tourism - offering a well-rounded perspective to the board.
In her professional role, Kirstin serves as the Senior Manager of Sports Development & Services at Sports San Diego, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) with a purpose to drive visitor demand to economically benefit the San Diego region through producing the Holiday Bowl, Rady Children’s Invitational, and California State Games and recruiting, supporting, and hosting world-class sports events. Her focus is bringing new sports events to America’s Finest City.
Outside of work, Kirstin continues to embrace her love for sport and adventure- you might find her on the beach volleyball court, behind the mic as a commentator for UCSD Men’s and Women’s Volleyball games, on the trails, or planning her next adventure.