FACILITY OPERATIONS - Michigan State Universitysturf.lib.msu.edu/article/2007dec24a.pdf · FACILITY...
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FACILITY & OPERATIONS your career in sports turf l OSt of us got into the sports turf industry because we love sports, are passionate about landscape design, and enjoy working outdoors to create safe, terrific looking athletic fields. We spend countless hours meticulously planning every aspect of a new field construction project yet rarely spend more than a few moments to consider our career goals, much less develop a strategic plan for achieving them. As we grow professionally, we see oppor- tunities to improve our skills and expertise 24 December 2007 By Murray Cook in very specialized and technical areas. While it is okay for some of this discovery process to occur by chance, professional fulfillment requires the successful planning and execution of a strategy that takes short- and long-term career goals into consideration. The good news here is that you've completed the most important part of the journey - you've made a decision to be part of the excit- ing and dynamic sports turf industry. Ours is a growing industry with many opportunities. Research from a variety of sources points to continued industry growth as participation in all levels of sport continues to increase both domestically and internationally. Strategic approach to career development An effective starting point for designing a career development plan is the creation of a career strategy map. Like a blueprint, your career strategy map can help you visualize your career development by taking into con- sideration the end goal. Your strategy map can become a working document that you can adjust and fine tune throughout your profes- sional development. www.greenmediaonline.com
Transcript of FACILITY OPERATIONS - Michigan State Universitysturf.lib.msu.edu/article/2007dec24a.pdf · FACILITY...
FACILITY & OPERATIONS
your career in sports turf
lOStof us got into the sports
turf industry because welove sports, are passionateabout landscape design, andenjoy working outdoors to
create safe, terrific looking athletic fields. Wespend countless hours meticulously planningevery aspect of a new field construction projectyet rarely spend more than a few moments toconsider our career goals, much less develop astrategic plan for achieving them.
As we grow professionally, we see oppor-tunities to improve our skills and expertise
24 December 2007
By Murray Cook
in very specialized and technical areas. Whileit is okay for some of this discovery processto occur by chance, professional fulfillmentrequires the successful planning and executionof a strategy that takes short- and long-termcareer goals into consideration.
The good news here is that you've completedthe most important part of the journey -you've made a decision to be part of the excit-ing and dynamic sports turf industry. Ours isa growing industry with many opportunities.Research from a variety of sources points tocontinued industry growth as participation in
all levels of sport continues to increase bothdomestically and internationally.
Strategic approach to career developmentAn effective starting point for designing
a career development plan is the creation ofa career strategy map. Like a blueprint, yourcareer strategy map can help you visualizeyour career development by taking into con-sideration the end goal. Your strategy mapcan become a working document that you canadjust and fine tune throughout your profes-sional development.
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FACILITY & OPERATIONSAs with any plan, it helps to
put your thoughts down on paper.Begin by drawing a line to representyour career trajectory. Make marksalong the trajectory to indicate yourcurrent position and your careergoals at different intervals (5, 10,20 years, etc.). Next, write out thesteps that you need to accomplishyour goals at each interval. Witheach advance, consider what addi-tional responsibilities you will needto take on and the skills requiredto manage those responsibilities.Divide your goals into both shortand long term objectives and thinkabout the best ways to accomplisheach. Take a strategic approach to thinking by carefully considering whattraining and skills will differentiate you from others who will be compet-ing with you for the same opportunities. Write in detail the requirementsneeded to give you an edge.
Once you have established your timeline, requirements, and list ofcompetitive differentiators you need at each step along your career, begin
thinking about what resources areavailable to you to meet your goals.Then, think critically about howeach of the following ideas mapsback to your specific career goalsand where along your path eachshould appear.
Continuing education is amongthe best ways of accomplishingboth short- and long-term goals.Research shows that two in threesports turf managers have a four-year college degree or an advanceddegree. If one of your goals is torise to a top management position,an advanced degree is one of thebest ways to compete.
Start by exploring the programs offered at colleges and universitiesin your area. Many schools now offer a wide range of degrees in sportsturf management that can help you gain the technical skills required toadvance along your career path. The good news is that many collegesand universities offer part-time and flexible class schedules to accom-modate working professionals.
Blair County Ballpark, Altoona, PA
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SportsTurf 25
Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI
FACILITY & OPERATIONSProfessional associationmembership
Membership in profes-sional groups like the SportsTurf Managers Association(STMA) provides an abun-dance of opportunities foreducation and professionalgrowth. Many of the bestlearning experiences comefrom interaction with indus-try peers who have alreadyovercome challenges similarto the ones that each of usgrapple with every day.
Association membershipis also a great way of findingpotential employers that canhelp advance your career.The STMA, for example,offers members access to anonline career center whereyou can search for the lat-est openings in the turf industry. These searches are customizable andcan help you match opportunities based on your level of experience andgeographic location.
Professional certificationIn 2000, the STMA created a certification program to help promote
professionalism within the sports turf industry. Certification is a greatway to achieve recognition for your knowledge of managing sports fieldsand can also help improve future employment prospects. Applicationsfor certification are available on the STMA website.
In order to become certified, you must meet certain criteria as acombination of education level and years of experience. Certificationalso requires the successful completion of an examination covering fourmajor areas of sports field management, including: agronomics, pestmanagement, administration, and sports-specific field management.
Strategic management of your career also requires finding employ-ment opportunities that meet your goals. Challenging projects some-times require us to spend more time with our co-workers than we dowith our families, which underscores the importance of finding a teamthat shares your core values and with whom you enjoy working.
When evaluating potential employers, carefully consider the firm'svalues. These should be readily available on its website or be com-municated through conversations with the team. Pay attention to whatis said about corporate values to ensure they match your own. If com-munity service is important to you, for example, ask your potential newemployer if they have community service programs in which you canbecome involved.
Top firms in the industry recognize the importance of recruitmentand retention and seek to create supportive, family-friendly environmentswhere individuals are recognized for their talents and challenged togrow beyond their comfort zone. Many times top firms will also provide
26 December 2007
career planning and manage-ment programs through theirhuman resources departmentto help guide professionaldevelopment. Companieslike Brickman and Disneyhave an extensive HR func-tion that provides a signifi-cant value for the employeeas it relates to career devel-opment and advancementopportunities.
Additional career strategydecisions may also require anin-depth look at your poten-tial employer's structure, typesof projects awarded, andgeographic presence. If yourprofessional goals includeworking on internationalfield construction projectsor collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams, perhaps a
large firm is the right choice for you. If you are at a point where you areinterviewing for new career opportunities, ask potential employers aboutcareer development plans and the specific types of projects you will beworking on at different stages of your career. Networking within thesports turf industry is one of the best ways to determine if you are on theright career path. When joining a team, league, or the STMA, your firstgoal should be to reach out to your peers and introduce yoursel£
Looking aheadBy taking the time to map out a strategy outlining your short- and
long-term career objectives, it becomes easier to visualize specificrequirements needed for professional advancement and discover theresources to help you get there. Revisit your career goals often and makeadjustments to your map as you go; part of the journey requires mid-course corrections.
If you are at a crossroads in your career, think strategically abouthow your next move fits into both your short- and long-term objectives.Continuing education, becoming active in associations like STMA, orpursuing certification can all go along way toward accelerating yourprofessional development. Finding a new employer may also lead to newgrowth opportunities and professional satisfaction, particularly if thefirm's values are aligned with your own and expose you to challengingnew projects that can expand your skills.
Ours is a growing industry that is full of fun and rewarding opportu-nities for those who take a strategic approach to managing their careers.But where we go from here depends on the design and execution of acareer strategy that will lead to professional fulfillment. •
Murray Cook is President of Brickman Sportsturf, a Division ofBrickman and Past President of the STMA. For more information contactwww.brickmangroup.com.
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Bigfoot Turf FarmsLaSalle, CO800-632-7473www.bigfootturf.com
FACILITY & OPERATIONS
Athletic Fields, LLCHumboldt, TN866-287-4763
ff!'
Field Construction COll1pany DirectoryABC Sports TurfHouston,TX281-493-3327www.abcsportsturf.com
Aerification-Renovation FXChandler, AZ480-895-1100www.aerificationfx.com
Alliza Sports TurfAlvaton, KY270-842-0473www.allizainc.com
Alpine Services, Inc.Premium Athle:« Fields lor Aif Spods
Alpine Services, Inc.Gaithersburg, MD
800-292-8420www.alpineservices.com
American Civil Constructors,Inc.Littleton, CO303-795-2582www.acconstructors.com
Architerra, PCCoopersburg, PA610-282-1398
Athletic FieldServices, Inc.Oregon,OH419-836-5730www.athleticfieldservices.com
Ballard SportsCary, NC919-678-8440www.ballardsports.com
Beals AllianceSacramento, CA916-366-8350www.bealsalliance.com
ROBERT A. BOTHMAN, INC.Quality People.
Quality Projeets.~
Robert A. Bothman, Inc.San Jose, CA408-279-2277www.bothman.com
~BRICKMANSPORTS TURF SERVICES
BrickmanGaithersburg, MD301-987-9200www.brickmangroup.com
www.stma.org
ATHLETICCONSTRUCTIONINCORPORATED
CertifiedSports Field Manager
Athletic Construction, Inc.Oakwood, [email protected]
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SportsTurf 27
FACILITY & OPERATIONSBurnside ServicesNavasota, TX936-825-7090www.burnside-services.com
Carolina Green Corp.Indian Trail, NC866-753-1707www.cgcfields.com
Champion FieldConstructionAtlanta, GA, Boca Raton FL,and Fort Myers [email protected]
Charles Williams &AssociatesFayetteville, TN800-544-8873www.cwasodfarm.com
Clark CompaniesDelhi, NY607 -746-2727www.clarkcompanies.com
CMX SportsEngineersPhoenix, AZ 85020602- 567-1900www.cmxinc.com
Colony Landscape &Maintenance, Inc.Alviso, CA408-941-1090www.colonylandscape.com
Creative landscape &Irrigation, Inc.Maugansville, MD301-745-5737www.creativeirrigation.com
D.A. Hogan &AssociatesSeattle, WA206-285-0400
28 December 2007
Davey Sports TurfKent,OH800-447-1667www.davey.com
Diamond Athletic Turf, Inc.Stow,MA978-897 -0344
Duraturf Service Corp.Richmond, VA800-358-8283
DVH Athletic TurfCherry Hill, J800-942-0134www.thedvhgroup.com
Emch BrothersWoodville,OH419-849-3175
Field Builders, Inc.Charlotte, [email protected]
Fielder's Choice Inc.Pearland, TX888-853-4353www.fielderschoiceinc.com
FieldTurfMontreal, Quebec(Canada)800-724-2969www.fieldturftarkett.com
Fisher TracksBoone,IA800-432-3191www.fishertracks.com
Foothills SportsturfBoiling Springs, N [email protected]
S.W. Franks ConstructionCleveland,OH216-241-9900www.swfranks.com
GSI ConsultantsrrurfconSomerset, NJ732-247-8026
Gale Associates Inc.Weymouth, MA781-335-6465
Geller Sport Inc.Boston,MA617-523-8103 x241www.gellersport.com
••~~Georgia Golf Construction, Inc.Rydal, GA404-216-4445georgiagolfconstruction.com
NB~HN·~Glenn Rehbein Co.Blaine,MN763-784-0657www.rehbein.com
GRANTSP"TS FIELDSGrant Sports FieldsColumbus, GA706-596-9236www.grantsportsfields.com
GreenTech, Inc.Roswell, Georgia770-587-2522www.greentechitm.com
Greenway ServicesHorsham, PA215-343-0110
Farrington Stadium at Arizona State University
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FACILITY & OPERATIONSGregori InternationalMiami, FL305-663-7393www.gregori.com
The LandTek Group, Inc.Amityville, NY631-691-2381www.landtekgroup.com
The Motz Group, Inc.Cincinnati,OH513-533-6452www.themotzgroup.com
Hayes Large ArchitectsState College, PA814-949-7167www.hayeslarge.com
Laserturf LevelingSt. Charles, MO636-947-1065www.schaefermeyer.com
Munie OutdoorServicesCaseyville, IL618-632-5296
HK SportsfieldsEgg Harbor, WI920-495-9522www.hksportsfields.com
LeRoy Sports FieldsLeavenworth, KS913-682-6706
Nolan Thomas&Co.Stovall, NC888-457-7678www.sportsturfcontractors.com
LaserturfAthens, GA706-208-1644
Mercer Group, Inc.Troy,OH937-335-7100www.mercer-group.com
Precision SportsFields, Inc.Nashville, [email protected]
u[JJ} .n if LLC
Precision TurfBuford, [email protected]
Premier SportsFields, LLCRemington, VA800-241-3302
RTM Sport, Inc.Burtonsville, MD301-421-0070www.rtmsport.com
Realty LandscapingCorporationNewtown,PA215-598-7334www.realtylandscaping.com
Landscapes UnlimitedLincoln, NE402-423-6653www.landscapesunlimited.com
Mid-Atlantic Turf, Inc.Gaithersburg, MD301-990-0315www.mid-atlanticturf.com
You Can Bet On GN·11M Hybrid BermudaThe Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Does!
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305 West Hueneme RoadCamarillo, CA 93012
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www.PaclflcSod.com800·942·5296
SportsTurf 29
FACILITY & OPERATIONSREll Construction, Inc.Union,IL815-923-4321
Rettler Corp.Stevens Point, WI715-341-2633
Shearon SportsPlymouth Meeting, PA(610)828-5488www.shearonsports.com
Southeastern Field ConstructionMetter, [email protected]
SPORTEXEConstruction ServicesRound Rock, TX512-246-7100www.sportexe.com
~~'"CMXsports Engineer
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30 December 2007 www.greenmediaonline.com
tKGSports(onstructionGroup
SPORTS FIELD SPECIALIST
Sports Construction GroupCleveland, 0 H216-241-9900www.sportscongroup.com
Sports Field ConsultantsDuncanville, TX872-298-0220
Sports Field SpecialistsCoeymans Hollow, [email protected]
Sportscape InternationalYoungstown,OH330-726-9452www.sportscapeonline.com
Sports TurfCompany, Inc.Whitesburg, GA866-346-8691www.sportsturf.net
Sports TurfManagement, LLCAtlanta, GA &Boca Raton, [email protected]
Sports Turf OneBoynton Beach, FL561-369-7994
SweetwaterConstructionAlexander City, [email protected]
FACILITY & OPERATIONS
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Team All SportsCincinnati,[email protected]
Tifton Turf FarmsTifton, GA229-386-8061
Turbo LinkInternationalClearwater, FL727 -442-2570www.tlisports.com
Turf ServicesSpring Lake, MI616-842-4975
TurfgrassTechnologiesDavenport, NY607-278-5729www.turfgrasstechnologies. com
U.S. Athletic FieldsSkillman, NJ609-466- 2846
ValleyCrestKansas City, Mo816-361-0489www.valleycrest.com
Van's EnterprisesMundelein, IL847-367-7828
Wilson & AssociatesLexington, SC803-957-3115
www.stma.org SportsTurf 31
