Local government (e.g., law enforcement agencies and departments of health)
Federal and state government:
Public Health Service
Veterans Administration
Department of Defense
Strategies
Certified Athletic Trainers must earn a degree from an accredited institution. 70% of Athletic Trainers hold a master’s degree or higher. Obtain certification through the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.
Athletic training is not the same as personal training.
Develop communication and decision making skills and the ability to work well under pressure.
Demonstrate ability to establish close and trusting relationships with others.
Be willing to work long and irregular hours and travel with sport teams.
Understand and implement current injury prevention strategies.
Typically you must build your reputation in smaller programs before moving into roles at larger universities and colleges or professional leagues.
Obtain an internship or part-time job with a sports team, athletic organization, or fitness facility.
Complete first aid certification and CPR training.
Join fitness oriented associations and organizations.
Volunteer to work with college or high school sports teams or to run exercise programs for non-profit organizations.
Physical Therapy
Clinical Practice:
Acute care
Neuro-rehab
Out-patient
Management
Education
Research
Consultation
Specialties:
Pediatrics
Geriatrics
Sports medicine
Orthopedics
Neurology
Cardiopulmonary
Electrophysiology
Women’s health
Employers
Hospitals
Clinics
Home healthcare agencies
Nursing homes and residential care facilities
Sports medicine facilities
Rehabilitation centers
Doctors’ offices, particularly orthopedic
Schools
Health clubs and fitness centers
Group or private practices
Universities and colleges
Federal and state government:
Public Health Service
Veterans Administration
Department of Defense
Strategies
Obtain knowledge of several basic sciences including anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, and physics.
Attain superior grades in pre-physical therapy course work due to intense competition for admittance to physical therapy programs.
Volunteer for a physical therapist in a hospital or clinic to gain experience and improve chances of acceptance into a program.
Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills. Must possess patience and a desire to help individuals of all ages with disabilities. A positive attitude is important when working with patients.
Manual dexterity and physical stamina are important for success.
Earn a doctorate in physical therapy from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
All states require licensure which includes passing an examination.
Some physical therapists specialize in an area after gaining several years of general experience.
Occupational Therapy
Screening
Evaluation
Treatment:
Physical
Psychosocial
Social
Vocational
Follow-up
Administration
Teaching
Research
Employers
Hospitals (e.g., psychiatric and rehabilitative)
Schools
Group or private practice
Nursing homes and residential care facilities
Community mental health centers
Adult daycare programs
Job training centers
Out-patient rehabilitation facilities
Home healthcare agencies
Federal and state government:
Department of Defense
Public Health Service
Veterans Administration
Universities and colleges
Strategies
Build a solid foundation in physical, biological, and behavioral sciences.
Develop excellent communication skills which are important when interacting with patients and their families.
Volunteer in an occupational therapy or related healthcare setting to experience the field first-hand and meet program requirements.
Individuals working in occupational therapy should possess patience and a true interest in helping people with disabilities reach their full potential.
Learn to work well within a team. O.T.’s work with many other professionals in the rehabilitation of patients.
Earn a master’s (MOT, MA, MS) or doctoral (OTD, less common) degree from an accredited program by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
Doctoral degree is often preferred for university teaching and administrative positions.
All states regulate O.T. licensure. Requirements include passing a certification exam given by the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board and a supervised clinical internship. Those who have passed the exam apply to become Occupational Therapists Registered (OTR).
Occupational therapists may choose to specialize in a particular age group or type of disability after passing national exam certification.
Education
Research
Teaching
Assessment & evaluation
Program development
Employers
Colleges and universities
Athletic associations
Research facilities
Strategies
Develop strong computer, mathematics, science and both written and oral communication skills.
Obtain teaching or instructional experience through volunteering or internships.
Seek opportunities to join faculty in research projects to gain experience.
Join related student and professional organizations.
Acquire a master’s degree for community college teaching and a Ph.D. for colleges and universities.
Business
Product development
Product distribution
Program development
Biomechanics
Sales:
Pharmaceutical
Healthcare
Sport and fitness
Employers
Sporting goods manufacturers
Exercise equipment manufacturers
Sports facilities
Specialized studios (e.g., yoga, pilates)
Health clubs and fitness centers
Pharmaceutical companies
Hospitals
Clinical and corporate healthcare programs
Strategies
Develop outstanding communication skills, written and oral.
Take additional courses in marketing, advertising, and public relations.
Gain experience with public speaking and sales.
Obtain a part-time job or internship in the areas of wholesaling or retail.
Build relationships with coaches, athletic directors, and college equipment/uniform representatives.
Volunteer or work in campus recreation facilities that rent equipment to students.
Consider working with manufacturers of exercise equipment or nutritional supplements to learn more about the field and make contacts.
Sports Medicine
Orthopedics
Osteopathics
Chiropractics
Prosthetics
Biomechanics
Physiology
Kinesiology
Psychology
Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
Nutrition
Research
Employers
Hospitals
Clinics
Home healthcare agencies
Nursing homes
Sports medicine facilities
Rehabilitation centers
Fitness centers
Group or private practices
Universities and colleges
Strategies
Develop strong computer, science, mathematics, and verbal and written communication skills.
Join related professional and student organizations and seek leadership roles.
Find internship and research opportunities with professors and other experts in the field to gain experience.
Meet with a pre-health advisor periodically to discuss curricular decisions.
Maintain a high grade point average, particularly in science classes, and secure strong recommendations for graduate or professional schools.
Look at entrance requirements for desired institutions.
Be aware of any standardized test requirements, minimum grade point averages, and prerequisites.
After earning an undergraduate degree, the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) requires 4 years of medical school followed by 3-8 years of internship, residency, and fellowship depending on specialization chosen. Upon completion of residency, pursue a fellowship in sports medicine and take certification exam.
General Information
There are many different ways to work within the health and fitness industry. Identify a particular area of interest and then seek to gain the best combination of educational preparation, experience, and skills because requirements will vary by field.
Most careers in these fields require professional certification. Though many entry-level positions may be obtained with an undergraduate degree, most will require additional clinical experiences and a graduate or professional degree.
Given the growing number of aging adults, many positions available in these areas will involve working with the elderly.
Join professional associations. Read their publications and attend their meetings, seminars, and conventions to learn more about the field and make contacts.
Get involved with local sport teams, intramurals, or recreational programs and facilities. Seek leadership roles, manage equipment and facilities, or plan events.
Professionals in this field typically start in smaller organizations and work their way into positions with larger or more prominent employers. Look for jobs in the minor leagues, high schools, or smaller colleges and universities as a way to enter the sport industry.
Fitness communication is also a growing field offering opportunities to write, research, and report on health and fitness related topics for newspapers, magazines, and websites. If interested in this area, take supplemental course work in English, journalism, or broadcasting and seek opportunities to volunteer with local or campus newspapers or television/radio stations.
Earn a graduate or professional degree for increased opportunities.
Maintain excellent personal fitness and athletic proficiency.
Learn to relate well to people with varying personalities and backgrounds.
An undergraduate degree in kinesiology offers excellent preparation and meets many pre-requisites for a variety of pre-professional programs in the field of healthcare. Meet with a pre-health advisor to identify any additional prerequisites for entry into a particular graduate school.
