Make sure you always have an updated and carefully proofed résumé on hand -- even if you're not looking for a new job at the moment. Your résumé should be easy to read, concise and a snapshot view of what you're all about. Think of your résumé as your ticket to the interview. As such, it shouldn't be too wordy.

As you move up the rope ladder of your career, don't forget to leave enough "rope" underneath you for someone else to grab on. Sometimes individuals climb professionally without linking themselves or their positions to those trailing them in the career process. The result is a lack of support for the professional and a lack of opportunity for would-be successors.

Read something completely unrelated to athletics every day -- whether it's a newspaper, book or magazine article. You need to develop other interests that will help you grow as a well-rounded person. You also need to be capable of carrying on intelligent conversations with others about subjects unrelated to work.

As a young administrator, be eager to accept and develop as much varied responsibility as you can. Athletics administrators, particularly athletics directors, are responsible for many different areas. To be prepared for that someday, you must prepare your skills and develop expertise in a wide variety of areas.

Be an avid reader of leadership and management books. Even if you don't lead or manage others now, you need to prepare for that responsibility. Also, your leadership skills on volunteer task forces, office-wide committees or in other areas may bring others' attention to you. You can "practice" being a good leader in that way, perhaps proving that you have the ability to influence others.

Always look for ways to hone your communications skills. Successful athletics administrators are good communicators. You need to be able to speak in front of a variety of audiences, and your writing skills must be sufficient to permit thoughtful communication with university presidents and faculty members.

Do you love what you're doing? Do you really care about the welfare of student-athletes? If not, you should consider a different career. Athletics is a competitive field where hard work is taken for granted. Extravagant pay is unlikely. Passion for the job is an absolute necessity; if you don't have it, ask yourself why.

Because of the day-to-day demands of many jobs in intercollegiate athletics, be sure to take good care of yourself. Pay attention to your health and your personal well-being so that you can make good decisions and be an effective employee. Remember, you don't make a good impression on others when you're exhausted or stressed out.

Make an effort to be well-organized. Because of the many demands placed on athletics administrators, it can be a challenge to complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner. If you're not naturally an organized person, think about ways you can work to develop those skills. Consider how you would use an assistant if one were available.