Are you interested in training people in physical fitness? This might just be the career for you if that is the case. An athletic trainer is a title that a broad number of qualified individuals hold. What I really mean to say here is this: While the road to becoming a physician is clear cut, becoming an athletic trainer isn’t. There are a variety of levels you might decide to achieve in order to become an athletic trainer.
Regardless, some of the things that an athletic trainer does includes working with athletic teams, coaches (sometimes coaches fill this role themselves), and sports medicine doctors. They are often responsible for developing training regiments that target fat loss, muscle building, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. They can often be responsible for providing medical treatment under the direction of a sports medicine physician. An athletic trainer also provides sports protection gear recommendations, and nutrition guidelines.
Where does an athletic trainer work? They can work for schools, colleges, sports teams, corporations, health clubs, clinics, and hospitals. A pretty healthy variety of options for anyone interested in this career. But on to the next big question…
What does an athletic trainer get paid? Well this is strongly dependent on where you are employed. The average salary of an athletic trainer ranges from $25,000 – $35,000, but keep in mind that employment opportunities such as the ones offered by sports teams can offer much much more.
How to become an athletic trainer? Well this is a great question for a school counselor, but it usually involves a bachelors degree emphasizing in physical education. There are many programs offered by schools around the country that grant not only your degree, but an additional qualifying certification.
For more information on athletic trainer careers, check out nata.org. Don’t be disheartened if this is not for you!