Building an Atlanta Hawks Career: Paths, Roles, and Local Opportunities in Atlanta, GA

If you love basketball and Atlanta, the phrase “Atlanta Hawks career” can mean a lot of things:

• Working for the Hawks organization (front office, marketing, game operations, community outreach)
• Working with the Hawks (arena operations, vendors, security, media)
• Building a basketball-related career in Atlanta connected to the team’s presence in the city

This guide breaks down how careers around the Atlanta Hawks actually work in Atlanta, Georgia, what kinds of jobs exist, and how locals can realistically pursue them.

Understanding What “Atlanta Hawks Career” Can Mean in Atlanta

When people in Atlanta talk about a career with the Hawks, they usually mean one of the following:

1. Team & Basketball Operations
   • Players, coaches, scouts, trainers, analytics, player development
2. Business & Front Office Roles
   • Marketing, digital content, sales, partnerships, finance, HR, legal
3. Game-Day & Arena Jobs at State Farm Arena
   • Guest services, security, concessions, ushers, operations, audio/visual
4. Community & Youth Basketball Roles
   • Camps, clinics, outreach programs, youth coaching tied to Hawks-branded activities
5. Media, Content, and Creative Roles linked to the Hawks brand
   • Broadcasting, social media, photography, design, in-arena entertainment

Each path looks very different in terms of education, competition, and day-to-day work, but they’re all rooted in Atlanta’s sports ecosystem, centered on State Farm Arena (1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303).

Main Career Paths With the Atlanta Hawks in Atlanta

1. Playing or Coaching: On-Court Career Paths

Becoming an NBA player or NBA head coach is extremely competitive, but Atlanta residents often want to know what the path even looks like.

NBA Player Path (High-Level Overview)

Most players follow this general route:

• Youth / High School
  • Standout performance at Atlanta-area high schools (e.g., Wheeler, Norcross, Westlake, Greenforest, etc.)
  • AAU and travel teams around metro Atlanta
• College or Professional Development
  • NCAA Division I programs or professional pathways (G League, overseas)
• G League / Hawks System
  • The Hawks are affiliated with the College Park Skyhawks, the NBA G League team playing at Gateway Center Arena @ College Park (2330 Convention Center Concourse, College Park, GA 30337).
  • Strong G League performance can earn a call-up to the Hawks.

If you’re in Atlanta and serious about this path, most people focus on:

• Skill development at local gyms, training facilities, and rec centers
• Exposure through high-level high school and AAU programs
• Academics & eligibility to reach college programs

Coaching & Player Development Careers

On-court staff includes:

• Head and Assistant Coaches
• Player Development Coaches
• Video Coordinators
• Scouting Staff

Typical steps for Atlantans interested in this track:

• Start coaching youth, high school, or college teams in metro Atlanta
• Volunteer or intern with college programs or semi-pro teams
• Gain experience with video breakdown, analytics, and player development
• Look for entry-level roles with College Park Skyhawks or basketball programs at local colleges like Georgia State or Georgia Tech

These jobs are competitive and usually require a long track record of coaching success and networking inside the basketball world.

2. Business & Front Office Careers With the Hawks

For most people in Atlanta, a realistic “Atlanta Hawks career” means working on the business side of the organization.

Common departments include:

• Marketing & Brand Management
• Digital & Social Media
• Ticket Sales & Service
• Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships
• Community Relations / Hawks Foundation work
• Finance & Accounting
• Human Resources (HR)
• Legal & Compliance
• Analytics / Business Intelligence
• Events & Game Presentation

These roles are typically based at State Farm Arena and associated Hawks offices.

Skills & Backgrounds Often Expected

Depending on the department, Hawks jobs in Atlanta may look for:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, sports management, finance, or related fields
• Experience with Atlanta audiences and local culture
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Comfort working nights, weekends, and holidays during the NBA season
• Passion for sports entertainment, not just basketball itself

Many Atlantans start with entry-level sales or service roles and work up internally.

3. Game-Day & Arena Operations Jobs

You don’t have to work directly for the Hawks front office to have a career around Hawks games.

State Farm Arena relies on many roles, sometimes through the Hawks, sometimes through partner companies:

• Guest Services / Fan Experience Staff
• Ticket Takers & Ushers
• Security Personnel
• Concessions & Food Service
• Maintenance & Facilities Staff
• Audio/Visual & Production Crew
• In-Arena Entertainment Support (e.g., support for performers, crowd logistics)

These jobs are good options if you:

• Want to work part-time or event-based
• Enjoy being around live sports and concerts
• Prefer work that’s on your feet and people-focused

They can also serve as a starting point to gain experience in Atlanta’s professional sports environment.

4. Community, Youth, and Grassroots Basketball Roles

The Hawks support and collaborate with many community programs and youth basketball initiatives in Atlanta, such as:

• Hawks-branded youth camps and clinics
• School and nonprofit community partnerships
• Local court refurbishments and neighborhood events

Careers connected to this side of the Hawks’ presence in Atlanta may involve:

• Program coordination and event planning
• Youth coaching and skills training
• Community outreach and nonprofit collaboration

People often come into these roles from:

• Teaching, coaching, or recreation backgrounds
• Nonprofit or youth development work in metro Atlanta
• Sports management programs at local colleges

5. Media, Content, and Creative Work Around the Hawks

Atlanta is a strong media and creative market, and the Hawks are a major content driver.

Career options tied to the team can include:

• Broadcast roles (production assistants, editors, graphics, technical crew)
• Social media managers and content creators
• Team photographers and videographers
• Graphic designers and motion designers
• Writers and editors for team content and game coverage

If you’re in Atlanta and interested in this path:

• Build a portfolio with local sports content (high school, college, semi-pro)
• Get involved with student media or local media outlets
• Learn tools like Adobe Creative Cloud, video editing, and social media platforms
• Network at Atlanta sports, media, and creative meetups

Typical Requirements for an Atlanta Hawks–Related Career

Below is a simplified overview of what’s commonly expected for different tracks in Atlanta:

How to Start an Atlanta Hawks Career if You Live in Atlanta

1. Get Experience in Related Roles Locally

You don’t have to start with the Hawks right away. Many successful candidates build experience with:

• Local colleges: Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State, and others often have athletics departments and student jobs.
• High school athletics in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties.
• Parks & Recreation programs through the City of Atlanta or surrounding counties.
• Other Atlanta sports teams (for broader sports business experience), such as baseball, football, soccer, or WNBA organizations.

This gives you:

• Real-world understanding of game operations and fan experience
• Credible experience on a resume when you apply to the Hawks organization

2. Look for Internships and Entry-Level Positions

In Atlanta, people aiming at a Hawks career often start with:

• Seasonal internships (summer or during the NBA season)
• Inside sales or ticket sales roles
• Event operations or fan experience jobs

Even if the role is temporary or part-time, it allows you to:

• Learn how State Farm Arena operates
• Understand the culture and pace of NBA game nights
• Build connections with full-time staff

3. Build Local Relationships

In Atlanta, networking is often as important as your resume:

• Attend career fairs, especially those focused on sports and entertainment
• Connect with professors, coaches, and local sports professionals
• Join professional organizations tied to sports management, events, or marketing
• Volunteer at Atlanta sports events and community basketball programs

These connections can make it easier for your application to stand out.

Education Options in Atlanta for Sports & Hawks-Related Careers

If you’re planning ahead, Atlanta has several education paths that line up with a Hawks-related future:

• Sports Management / Sports Administration programs
• Business, Marketing, and Communications degrees
• Film, Media, and Digital Arts programs
• Exercise Science / Kinesiology (if you’re interested in performance or training)

Local institutions offering related programs include:

• Georgia State University (downtown Atlanta)
• Georgia Tech (Midtown Atlanta)
• Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw & Marietta)
• Clayton State University (Morrow)
• Local technical colleges and community colleges with media, business, or event-management coursework

Many students in Atlanta combine classroom learning with internships and part-time work at local sports venues.

Living in Atlanta While Building a Hawks Career

Because Hawks-related work is heavily event-based, your day-to-day life in Atlanta might include:

• Late nights at State Farm Arena during the season
• Commutes into downtown Atlanta—often when traffic and parking need extra planning
• Time split between office work (for business roles) and arena work (on game or event nights)
• Occasional community or promotional events across metro Atlanta neighborhoods

Practical considerations locals often think about:

• Transportation:

  • MARTA rail and buses can be useful for reaching downtown on game nights.
  • Parking near State Farm Arena can be limited and event-priced, so some employees use MARTA or carpool.

• Housing:

  • Some employees choose to live along MARTA rail lines or within shorter commuting distance to downtown.

Is an Atlanta Hawks Career Right for You?

From Atlanta, a career tied to the Hawks can be:

• Exciting, especially if you enjoy high-energy events and live sports
• Unpredictable, since schedules follow the NBA calendar and arena events
• Competitive, particularly for full-time front office or basketball operations roles

It tends to fit people who:

• Are comfortable working nights, weekends, and holidays
• Enjoy fast-paced environments
• Like being part of team-based work that’s visible to the public
• Are willing to start small (internships, game-day roles) and build over time

Quick Step-by-Step Checklist for Atlantans

If you’re in Atlanta and serious about an Atlanta Hawks career, a practical sequence might look like this:

1. Clarify your path

   • On-court (playing/coaching) vs. business vs. operations vs. media.

2. Gain local experience

   • Volunteer or work with high school, college, or community sports in metro Atlanta.

3. Pursue relevant education or training

   • Business, sports management, media, or coaching certifications in Atlanta-area schools.

4. Seek internships and entry-level roles

   • Focus on sales, service, operations, or media jobs connected to sports or events.

5. Build a professional network

   • Attend sports, business, and media events happening around downtown and midtown Atlanta.

6. Apply consistently and stay flexible

   • Be open to game-day, part-time, and seasonal roles as stepping stones.

By aligning your skills, education, and experience with the opportunities available in Atlanta’s sports and entertainment scene, you can steadily move closer to the kind of Atlanta Hawks career that fits your goals.