Athletic Training
What Can You Do With A Major In Athletic Training?
Athletic trainers help prevent and treat injuries for people of all ages. Their clients include everyone from professional athletes to industrial workers. Recognized by the American Medical Association as allied health professionals, athletic trainers specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. Athletic trainers often are one of the first heath care providers on the scene when injuries occur, and therefore they must be able to recognize, evaluate, and assess injuries and provide immediate care when needed. They also are heavily involved in the rehabilitation and reconditioning of injuries. The athletic trainer works in conjunction with medical personnel, athletic administrators, coaches, and parents in the development and coordination of efficient and responsive athletic health care delivery systems. Athletic trainers should not be confused with fitness trainers or personal trainers, who are not health care workers.
Job Outlook For Athletic Trainers
Employment of athletic trainers is expected to grow 24 percent from 2006 to 2016, much faster than the average for all occupations. Job growth will be concentrated in the health care industry, including hospitals and offices of health practitioners. Fitness and recreation sports centers also will provide many new jobs, as these establishments become more common and continue to need athletic trainers to care for their clients.
To research more about this career go to: Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Typical Work Settings
- University/College
- Secondary School
- Healthcare clinic
- Industrial/Commercial
- Professional Sports
- Performing arts
- Military/Law Enforcement
To Match This Major to Careers: Visit the What Can I Do With This Major Webpage
Beginning Salary Range
Entry Level (0-1 year of experience) with a Bachelor's Degree: $29,749.
Average annual salary for the District: $42,460, NATA Salary Survey (National Athletic Trainers Association)
Skills Needed For This Career
- Problem Solving
- Analyzing Injuries
- Taping, Bandaging, and Stretching Athletes
- Motor Skills
- Communication (inform proper nutrition & diet for athletes)
- Monitor rehabilitative programs
- Basic First-Aid and CPR Skills / Certification
- Proficient knowledge in anatomy, physiology and biology
- Work well under stress
- Working with People
- Demonstrating physical stretches and rehabilitative movements
- Operating modality machines and other training equipment
- Deductive Reasoning Skills
- Referring athletes to appropriate physicians when necessary
- Maintain poise in emergency situations
- Recording, organizing and storing information on injuries and rehabilitation
- Implement exercise & rehabilitation programs for athletes
- Good judgment and decision-making
Links To Professional Associations
Professional Associations are important to explore because many offer student memberships and can give you access to other professionals and their experiences, research, convention or workshop opportunities, professional development and most importantly job databases.
- Athletic Trainers' Association of Florida
- College Athletic Trainers' Society
- National Athletic Trainer's Association
- Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association
- Job Search Information
National Organizations or Databases
- https://www.getathletictrainerjobs.com/
- https://www.insidehighered.com
- https://www.higheredjobs.com/
- https://www.teamworkonline.com/
- https://www.workinsports.com/
- https://www.sportscareerfinder.com/
- https://www.jobsinsports.com/
- https://ncaamarket.ncaa.org/jobseekers/
Holland Codes
Athletic Training- Social; Realistic; Investigative (SRI)