How to Become an Athletic Trainer
Love sports, but prefer to be behind the scenes rather than on the field? If so, a career as an athletic trainer may be a great option. More than just someone who works in a gym, helping members become fit (that's more like a personal trainer), an athletic trainer works with professional, semi-professional, college and high school athletes, ensuring that they are at peak physical fitness for the sport that they play.
Athletic trainers also know how to handle post-injury workouts, as well as how to get the players back into the shape that they need to be in once the new sports season rolls around. How can you become an athletic trainer? Let’s find out!
Get a Bachelor's Degree in a Related Field
Some athletic trainers have bachelor's degrees in exercise science, kinesiology, biology or any other related field. What matters most is their knowledge of human anatomy, movement and biomechanics. Plus, a love of the game, whichever sport they choose, also helps. Why? Well, a football player moves differently than a baseball player, so each needs a different type of workout and rehabilitation after injury. An athletic trainer needs to know and understand these differences in order to get their players into the best possible shape.
Spend Time Interning for a Sports Organization
As with every job, experience counts. Students who are on track to become athletic trainers will want to obtain an internship with a sports team or organization, shadowing and assisting their professional athletic trainers. This valuable experience provides students with the chance to see firsthand what the day-to-day life of an athletic trainer looks like, as well as see the issues that they deal with on a regular basis, like player injuries. Plus, the connections made during an internship can be invaluable when looking for a job later on.
Volunteer for Your University's Sports Program
In addition to interning with a sports team or organization, students who want to be athletic trainers should also work for their school's sports programs. Whether they assist the athletic trainers in the gym or exercise room, help on the field, or simply keep track of the status of injured players to help keep game-day rosters up-to-date, they gain plenty of experience that enhances their overall knowledge.
Become Certified
In order to pursue a career in the field, an athletic trainer needs to be certified and have plenty of experience. To become certified, students must first complete a master’s degree from a CAATE-accredited athletic training program CAATE, also known as the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, certifies schools with athletic training programs. Students must then successfully pass the Board of Certification (BOC) examination in order to gain an athletic training license, and then complete continuing education requirements throughout their career to remain certified.
If you want a career in sports, then consider becoming an athletic trainer. There are numerous other sports-related careers as well, and they all start with getting the right degree! Contact us today to learn more, and to take the next step.