How to Start a Career in Sports and Analytics

For Jasmine, sports have always been about more than the final score.

Growing up in San Diego as a Broncos, Nuggets, Avalanche, and Padres fan, she was fascinated by the numbers and strategy behind the game. At the University of Michigan, that curiosity became the focus for her career trajectory. Jasmine studied Sport Management and minored in Data Science, seeking a career where sports and analytical problem-solving could intersect.

And her first role on our Trading team fit that description perfectly. 

Jasmine joined DraftKings as a Sports Trader and is focused on managing player prop markets across major U.S. sports leagues. Her work brings together data analysis, market insights, sports knowledge, and real-time decision-making. 

What Does a Sports Trader Do at DraftKings?

To start, no two days look exactly the same.

Jasmine might start by monitoring specific games for that day, reviewing projections with teammates, or adjusting lines as injury or lineup news comes in. Once a game starts, the decisions get even faster. Live trading means processing new information and making adjustments as the action unfolds.

“Because sports are constantly evolving, there's always something new to react to, which keeps the work exciting,” Jasmine said. 

For someone who loves math, analytics, and sports, that pace creates an exciting career opportunity: the problems Jasmine solves at work are often the same questions she’d be thinking about as a fan.

Learning by Building

Jasmine joined without a traditional trading background. Her Sports Management degree and Data Science minor, combined with her love for sports, helped her land her first job right out of school. Since then, she has strengthened her coding, modeling, and market-evaluation skills.

Since day one, Jasmine has been inspired by her teammates' deep technical expertise. She began learning from people on her team, developing new skills, and recognizing the value of her own perspective.

“Being surrounded by talented people who genuinely want to see each other succeed creates a culture that's both fun and rewarding to be a part of,” Jasmine added. 

That collaborative culture remains one of her favorite parts of working here. Her teammates share knowledge, challenge one another, and bring a genuine passion for sports to the work.

Next, Jasmine plans to pursue a master’s degree in Data Science while continuing to build her career at DraftKings. 

Jasmine’s Advice for Early-Career Candidates

For students and recent graduates interested in math, data science, analytics, or sports, our Trading team offers the opportunity to turn numbers into decisions and passion into meaningful customer moments.

Starting your career on our Trading team could be a game-changer, like it has been for Jasmine. When you’re preparing for your interview with us, she recommends using coursework, internships, and personal projects to demonstrate curiosity, analytical ability, and enthusiasm for learning.

How does she describe her DraftKings experience in one word? Rewarding. 

“Between the people, the culture, and the opportunity to work in an industry I'm passionate about, it's hard to imagine a better place to start my career,” Jasmine said. 

Ready to see where your analytical skills could take you? Learn more about our open roles on our Trading team!