Athletic Training Essay

One very essential facet in getting a job in the field of athletic training is the types, variety, and a number of certifications you have. It is no longer common for athletic trainers to just get an athletic training bachelor’s degree. With advances in the field currently “nearly 70% of all ATs possess at least a master’s degree” (Mazerolle and Dodge, 2012). Which makes it more essential now than ever that when you enter the field of athletic training, if you want to find success, you should get outside certifications so you can compete for jobs with others in the field. It is also can be advantageous for someone to continue your educations onto the master’s degree because professionals with the degree have a higher retention rate compared

to those with bachelor’s degree (Bowman, Mazerolle, Pitney, Dodge, Hertel, 2015). Along with the decision to go on to get further certification and education you have to decide from there it what area you want to further your field of expertise. Some of the variety of areas you can pick from to further your area of certifications in athletic training are “advanced athletic training, exercise physiology, biomechanics, psychology, and business, as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or medical school” (Mazerolle and Dodge, 2012). This is just a view of the areas in which you can further explore to help get further experience and expertise to improve your chances of getting a job in the athletic training career field. My goal is to graduate college with my bachelor’s degree in athletic training and with the passing of my Boarded of Certification. I also want to graduate with a degree in Human Performance and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Therefore, I will come out of my undergraduate with knowledge in two areas of exercise science. Following graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I also plan of furthering my education into graduate school to give me another area of knowledge. I have yet to decide which area I am going into, but kinesiology is an area I have looked into. Finally, I have the desire to get certified in Postural Restoration. This will give me a unique knowledge of an area that will hopefully separate me from people who are also trying to get hired for the same positions as me.
One of the best thing you can do before you enter a field is to try and understand it the best you can understand. A way in which someone can keep up to date on the best of types of treatments and practices in athletic training is by using and reading articles involving evidence base medicine (EBM). Not only can it teach you things that you haven’t learned yet, but also it can give you insights to things that have changed in the field since you have you have learned them. Although, even if you do not necessarily enjoy reading articles it is still important because “ATs need to accept their professional responsibilities to foster EBP in their daily practices” (Welch, Hankemeier, Wyant, Hays, Pitney, & Lunen, 2014). The field as a whole has put such an emphasis on using EBM in the practice that the sooner you can get yourself aquatinted with it the better off you will be in future of your career. The more you get experience in things within the athletic training field, like EBM, the better prepared you will be for your job when you enter the workforce.
Another crucial aspect you have to take into consideration when entering the field of athletic training is to think of how this profession will affect your personal life. Athletic training involves “irregular work hours, inflexible work schedules, and travel” (Mazerollo and Gavin, 2013) and this means that you have to take you personal responsibility and life goals into consideration when you enter the field. One of the most influential things that someone considers when it comes to their personal life and how it affects their work life is the want to become a parent. It has such an influence that it has become a common trend for females in athletic training to leave the profession at the age of 30 to pursue a family life (Mazerolle, Eason, Ferraro, & Goodman, 2015). Due to all the time that athletic training can take up and because you really have no control of when your team needs to play or practice, you need to be aware if you are able to balance family with work because even though it can be difficult, it is possible. One way you can be active in trying to make that way of life possible is to keep it into consideration when you are looking for or deciding to work. Many female athletic trainers say that they are able to balance the two because of their “strong support networks and the development of effective work-life balance strategies” (Mazerolle, Eason, Ferraro, & Goodman, 2015). Even though this may add another difficulty in finding a job you must be able to sort your priorities because if having a family is that important to you than the extra work should be worth it. I personally have no idea when or if this will be an aspect of my life that I will have to worry about in my career. Although, as a female this is something that looms in my mind and, therefore, I feel I must be educated on before entering the field. Having a family can be very important part in someone’s life and they should always have this as something they consider when they enter a workforce, especially athletic training, so they know if it is manageable or not.
There are many aspects that go into the field of athletic training and the better you plan and prepare, the better your experience before and during starting your career in athletic training.

Originally, by making sure that your attractions to the field of athletic training are in good intention and that it is based in the reality of what the career actually entails. Also, understand that once you get in the field you may no enjoy the aspects that drew you to the field as much as you once assumed. This is normal and just because you thought you would enjoy it does not mean you have to stick with athletic training. Another necessity is to know what you want to get out of your undergraduate program and the aspects that make a good program. The atmosphere and experience you get out of your athletic training undergraduate program can have a huge influence on the rest of your career path, including if you stay in athletic training. Something else that is influential in athletic training is the level of education, outside certifications, and internships that you get. All of these things can allow you to get experiences and knowledge that will allow you to become a better professional in the field. Finally, you must understand how your personal life and your career in athletic training will coincide. Finding a balance between the two can be very important for many people within. No matter what career you decide to go into you must weigh the pros and cons and try to put yourself in the best position to succeed in the

field.