Athletic training is a good career and well known in athletic settings such as high school, college, and professional sports. As healthcare professionals, athletic trainers are trained in diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, and injury prevention. These skills go beyond the sporting environment and venture into many diverse settings, which include industrial, tactile, and performing arts.
Overall, athletic trainers focus on the wellbeing of a physically active population, which can lead to job opportunities in both the “traditional” and “emerging” settings. We have put together a list of the various career opportunities that one could pursue with an athletic training degree. Let’s dive in!
High Schools
The recognition of how vital athletic trainers are in high school athletics is continuously growing. Working within a public of private school system allows athletic trainers the opportunity to gain experience with a variety of sports. Clinicians in this setting may be the only athletic trainer on site, but they can also work alongside team, or primary, physicians, school nurses, coaches, and parents when evaluating and treating their patient athletes.
Colleges
There are thousands of colleges across the United States, which means a large job market for athletic trainers! Career opportunities exist within various aspects of sporting environments in the collegiate settings. Athletic trainers can be found working with NCAA athletes, as well as individuals who participate in club and intramural sports. Working close at hand with team physicians, strength and conditioning coaches, nutritionist, and many other healthcare providers, athletic trainers are an integral part of the sports medicine team seeking to uphold the health and safety of the patient athletes.
Professional Sports
Continuing up the ladder in the sports environment, athletic trainers can be found working with some of the most renowned athletes in the world. In the professional setting, athletic trainers use their skills to enhance the wellbeing of athletes across an assortment of sports. Opportunities can range from working with a professional football team all the way to working with extreme sports teams, such as bull riding or motocross!
Clinics
As a certified athletic trainer, jobs in the clinic setting can offer a typical 9-5 work schedule. Outpatient clinics also allow for a multi-disciplinary workplace for healthcare professionals. Athletic trainers can be found working with physicians, chiropractors, and physical therapists when evaluating and treating patients. The types of clinics across the United States can vary, with each having their own, unique approach to patient care. Clinics can range from a traditional outpatient clinic to those that use alternative therapy methods to assist patients in their healing.
Hospitals & Physician Offices
The roles of athletic trainers in hospitals and physician offices are growing. Careers with an athletic trainer degree can land you working in the hospital setting, where you can work alongside physicians in performing evaluations and constructing a plan of treatment for each patient they encounter. The also work to educate patients on rehabilitation and health measures to assist in the prevention and healing of injuries.
Performing Arts
Certified athletic trainer jobs go beyond a field or court environment. Those in show business know that the show must go on no matter the injury or illness. Athletic trainers serve a crucial role in the performing arts realm as they seek to create a healthy and safe environment for these performers. Careers within the performing arts setting are gaining more and more recognition. Athletic trainers can be found working on Broadway, in stunt shows, and even in theme parks!
Industrial
Another emerging setting where you will find athletic training careers is the industrial setting. Clinicians have taken their musculoskeletal knowledge beyond the sporting fields and traditional athletic training facilities and into places of private business. In the industrial setting, athletic trainers can assist employees enhance their physical functionality in the workplace, creating a safer and more efficient environment. This ultimately helps reduce injuries and time away from work.
Tactical
Being physically active is necessary for many jobs, especially for those who are in the military and law enforcement. An athletic trainer degree can give you the opportunity of working with these individuals to assist in the betterment of their wellbeing throughout their career. From injury prevention, to on-site emergency management, to treatment and rehabilitation, athletic trainers can serve in these settings as civilians.
Athletic training is a great career option, as the profession is flourishing across many different settings. Finding an athletic training graduate program that gives you an ample amount of exposure across these various settings will help you decide which area of work best resonates with you and your future goals. The University of Idaho Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) Program can offer you a diverse clinical experience. Our clinical immersion model is focused on formulating a clinical experience plan that is unique to each of our students. Through their time on our program, our students are able to explore the assorted opportunities for athletic trainers across 100+ locations in the United States. Which athletic training career interests you most? Let us help you reach your goals of becoming a certified athletic trainer!