Olympic champion: you would think this would give you a golden ticket into the job market during or after your sports career. Nothing could be further from the truth, Marie explains. "Top-level sport requires complete dedication; little room is left to delve into studies or career orientation. As a result, many athletes often lack a broader view of society and the job market. The moment they stop, they suddenly have to make a leap that others have had ten years to prepare for, with or without a gold medal."
"Employers often say, 'Fantastic that you were a top athlete, but how much work experience do you have?'"
Employers recognise the qualities of top athletes: discipline, perseverance, teamwork and dealing with adversity. Yet difficult questions often follow, Marie says: 'Fantastic that you are (or were) a top athlete, but how much work experience do you have?' Or: 'Can you be available full-time?' That clashes with the reality of a top-level sports career. As a result, athletes sometimes struggle in their search for a first job, or settle for work that does not match their talents and ambitions.
To help bridge this gap, Topsport Amsterdam guides over hundreds of top athletes in their so-called 'dual career': combining top-level sport with study and work. From practical support - coordinating timetables, applying for top-level sports status - to personal guidance on choices and career orientation. Guidance alone, however, is not enough, Hoogstraten stresses. "Top athletes need opportunities to develop outside the field or track. Training in leadership, personal presentation or entrepreneurship can help them to showcase their qualities."
"Top athletes need opportunities to develop beyond the field or track."
This is why Marie welcomes the cooperation between VUfonds and VU for Professionals. Together, they offer courses to prepare (former) top athletes for the job market, among others. Marie: "It helps them translate their skills to the job market. In this way, we make the transition from top sport to society much smoother. "VU for Professionals works with Topsport Amsterdam to get in touch with top athletes who are motivated but lack the resources to develop socially."
And that is not only in the interest of the top athletes themselves, but also of society, Marie adds: "The Netherlands benefits twice: first from their performance at international level, and later from their commitment to society. Top athletes bring unique qualities to the table, but they must then be given the opportunity to flourish!"
