Former NFL defensive back Will Blackmon has transformed his passion for wine into a second career. While the shift from professional athlete to certified sommelier may seem like a big leap and one that can’t be easily replicated, his journey actually follows closely the steps we advise our clients to take.
Interests: Blackmon’s appreciation for wine began in college through a roommate and expanded as he started in the NFL, when fellow player and winery owner Charles Woodson began teaching him about the industry.
Skills: As he studied the history and intricacies of wine, Blackmon found that his ability to memorize thick playbooks translated well into mastering the knowledge required of a sommelier. Already acting as a resource for his teammates, he was able to use his skill in connecting with other athletes to land a gig as a wine concierge through Santa Ana’s Wine Exchange.
Values: Quoted in USA Today, Blackmon explains how both football and wine have lined up with his values, saying “That’s how I was playing football as well. I love sharing information, love sharing experiences. This wine thing is the same thing.”
Blackmon also used an incremental and financially sensible approach to test out his potential new career path. He started with a part-time job in the NFL’s offseason, caring for vines at a vineyard in Virginia. He then learned about the sommelier role specifically through a documentary and, rather than dropping tens of thousands of dollars on a degree, enrolled in an eight-week course that got him a Level 2 certification. He went on to approach the owners of the Wine Exchange about working for the shop and shadowing them to learn more. All of this led him to home in on the particular job of “wine concierge to the athletes.”
The process that Will Blackmon used to tackle (pun intended) his career change is textbook, and it can work for you too. To find out how we can assist you with your career transition, please get in touch via our contact page.
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