Athletic Trainer
General Information/Overview
Career Cluster: Health Science
Career Pathway: Therapeutic Services
Job Description:Athletic trainers work with athletes to help prevent injuries.
Wisconsin Entry Level Salary: $32,320
National Entry Level Salary: $25,750
Current Employment Statistics: In 2010, 18,200 people were employed as athletic trainers (Most self-employed)
Future Employment Statistics: The number of people employed as athletic trainers is projected to increase 30% by 2020 at 23,700 people employed.
Related Occupations:
Education & Training
High School Education - Helpful Course at D.C. Everest Junior High and Senior High School:
The minimum degree to be a athletic trainer is a Bachelor's Degree. You also need to have a NATA license.
Colleges in Wisconsin that offer courses/training necessary:
Special Requirements:
Licenses/Certification:
Job seekers must have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and need to have a license from the NATA (National Athletic Trainers Association)
Characteristics:
Right now, there isn't really anything beyond education that can help a student with becoming a physical therapist.
Opportunities for Advancement:
An individual employee's position within the salary range is affected by:
Day-to-day work: Some trainers do a lot of traveling. Most trainers work with a team or an individual for long periods of time unlike a physical therapist. The trainer performs exercises and training activities with his/her client. While doing so, they record information about the patient and later put it on file. Most trainers meet with their clients 2-3 times a week.
Working Conditions:
Advantages: As a trainer, you get to travel a lot and meet many people. Depending on your experience and education, you may get to work with professional athletes (NHL, NFL, NBA, etc.)
Disadvantages: The traveling may not be a best fit for some people. Also, the modern technology does have its flaws and may potentially cause problems when recording a clients information and statistics.
Overall Opinion: I think this is a very neat job. It is similar to the career of a physical therapist but I believe it has more "perks" or advantages. (Like traveling and possibly getting to work with the pros.) I like staying active and I can work well with people. I am also a positive, motivational person.
Career Pathway: Therapeutic Services
Job Description:Athletic trainers work with athletes to help prevent injuries.
Wisconsin Entry Level Salary: $32,320
National Entry Level Salary: $25,750
Current Employment Statistics: In 2010, 18,200 people were employed as athletic trainers (Most self-employed)
Future Employment Statistics: The number of people employed as athletic trainers is projected to increase 30% by 2020 at 23,700 people employed.
Related Occupations:
- Chiropractors
- EMTs & Paramedics
- www.nata.org/athletic-training
- www.explorehealthcareers.org
Education & Training
High School Education - Helpful Course at D.C. Everest Junior High and Senior High School:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Psychology
- Geometry
The minimum degree to be a athletic trainer is a Bachelor's Degree. You also need to have a NATA license.
Colleges in Wisconsin that offer courses/training necessary:
- University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse
- University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
- University of Wisconsin - Madison
- University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
- University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
- University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
- Marquette University
- Concordia University
- Carthage College
- Carroll University
Special Requirements:
Licenses/Certification:
Job seekers must have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and need to have a license from the NATA (National Athletic Trainers Association)
Characteristics:
- Athletic Abilities
- Business Skills
- Computer Skills
- Customer Service Skills
- Detail-Oriented Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Patience
Right now, there isn't really anything beyond education that can help a student with becoming a physical therapist.
Opportunities for Advancement:
An individual employee's position within the salary range is affected by:
- Type & Location
- Experience
Day-to-day work: Some trainers do a lot of traveling. Most trainers work with a team or an individual for long periods of time unlike a physical therapist. The trainer performs exercises and training activities with his/her client. While doing so, they record information about the patient and later put it on file. Most trainers meet with their clients 2-3 times a week.
Working Conditions:
- Works irregular hours
- Lots of traveling
- Meets with several patients over the course of a week (Whether it be a whole sports team at once or an individual)
Advantages: As a trainer, you get to travel a lot and meet many people. Depending on your experience and education, you may get to work with professional athletes (NHL, NFL, NBA, etc.)
Disadvantages: The traveling may not be a best fit for some people. Also, the modern technology does have its flaws and may potentially cause problems when recording a clients information and statistics.
Overall Opinion: I think this is a very neat job. It is similar to the career of a physical therapist but I believe it has more "perks" or advantages. (Like traveling and possibly getting to work with the pros.) I like staying active and I can work well with people. I am also a positive, motivational person.