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What is the best way to get a job as a college athletic trainer or physical therapist?

I want to be in the sports medicine field but don't know what career.

medicine sports physical-therapy athletic-training sports-medicine
Thank you comment icon Sports medicine is a broad term for many careers. Read the following article and see if you can narrow your focus. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/sports-medicine-careers Chris Harp
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James Constantine’s Answer

Hi Cassidy,

EXTRA NOTE
SPORTS NUTRITION: A GAME-CHANGER
Eminent Nutrition Professor Sandra Capra invited me to speak to the Brisbane Dietitians in Private Practice about my innovative nutrition education software. They were intrigued by the potential of computer programming to revolutionize nutrition calculations. One of these dietitians was training the Brisbane Broncos Football Team. Their subsequent victories were remarkable!

This is crucial for your athletic triumphs. Your physical prowess is directly influenced by cutting-edge nutritional guidelines. We need to boost physical performance, not just in strength, but also in endurance and other bodily functions.

If you're dreaming of a career as a college athletic trainer or physical therapist in the exciting field of sports medicine, here are a few steps to help you land your dream job. Remember, specific requirements may vary based on your location and the organization you're aiming to join. However, these general guidelines will set you on the right path:

1. Education and Certification:
- Earn a Bachelor's Degree: Kick-start your journey with a bachelor's degree in a related field like athletic training, exercise science, kinesiology, or physical education. These programs will equip you with a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and injury prevention.
- Enroll in an Accredited Program: Consider a Master's degree in athletic training or physical therapy from an accredited program. This advanced degree will deepen your understanding and skills in the field and may be a prerequisite for certain roles.
- Gain Real-world Experience: Look for opportunities to gain practical experience through internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs. This will enable you to apply your knowledge in real-life situations and build valuable industry connections.
- Acquire Licensure or Certification: Depending on your location, you may need to acquire licensure or certification to practice as an athletic trainer or physical therapist. This typically involves passing a national examination and meeting specific requirements set by the licensing board or professional organization.

2. Specialization and Continuing Education:
- Pick a Specialization: Consider specializing in a specific area of sports medicine such as orthopedics, rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, or sports performance. This can help you develop specialized skills and make you more appealing to potential employers.
- Keep Learning: Stay abreast of the latest developments in sports medicine by participating in continuing education courses, workshops, conferences, and seminars. This shows your dedication to professional growth and can expand your knowledge and skills.

3. Networking and Professional Development:
- Join Professional Bodies: Become a member of professional bodies like the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) or the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). These organizations offer valuable resources, networking opportunities, and access to job boards.
- Attend Industry Events: Attend industry conferences, workshops, and seminars to network with field professionals, learn about emerging trends, and showcase your expertise.
- Build Connections: Forge relationships with professionals in the sports medicine field through informational interviews, mentorship programs, or job shadowing opportunities. These connections can offer industry insights and potentially lead to job opportunities.
- Get Experience in Collegiate Athletics: Look for opportunities to work with college athletic teams or programs. This could involve volunteering as an athletic trainer or physical therapist for a college sports team or gaining experience through internships at collegiate athletic departments.

Remember, the job market for college athletic trainers and physical therapists can be competitive. So, it's advantageous to accumulate as much experience and education as possible to stand out from the crowd. Also, staying current with the latest research and advancements in sports medicine will enable you to provide the best care for athletes.

Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications/Domain Names:
1. National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) - www.nata.org
2. American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) - www.apta.org
3. Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) - caate.net
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for these helpful steps. This was extremely helpful! Cassidy
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James Constantine’s Answer

Hey Cassidy!

If you're dreaming of a career as a college athletic trainer or physical therapist in the exciting world of sports medicine, there are several steps you can take to boost your chances of landing a job in these fields. Remember, the exact requirements and routes might differ based on where you live and the institution or organization you're aiming to join. But, generally, these tips should help:

1. Education and Certification:
- Get a Bachelor's Degree: Kick off your journey by securing a bachelor's degree in a related area like athletic training, exercise science, kinesiology, or physical education. These programs usually offer a solid grounding in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and injury prevention.
- Finish an Accredited Program: Think about earning a Master's degree in athletic training or physical therapy from a recognized program. This higher degree will boost your understanding and abilities in the field and might be necessary for some roles.
- Gain Real-world Experience: Look for ways to gain practical experience through internships, volunteering, or part-time jobs. This will let you put your learning into practice and build important connections in the industry.
- Get Licensure or Certification: Depending on where you live, you might need to get a license or certification to work as an athletic trainer or physical therapist. This usually involves passing a national exam and meeting specific requirements set by the licensing board or professional organization.

2. Specialization and Continuing Education:
- Pick a Specialization: Think about specializing in a specific part of sports medicine like orthopedics, rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, or sports performance. This can help you become an expert in a particular area and make you more attractive to potential employers.
- Keep Learning: Stay in the loop with the latest breakthroughs in sports medicine by taking part in continuing education courses, workshops, conferences, and seminars. This shows your dedication to professional development and can boost your knowledge and abilities.

3. Networking and Professional Development:
- Join Professional Groups: Become a member of professional groups like the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) or the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). These groups offer useful resources, networking chances, and access to job listings.
- Go to Conferences and Workshops: Go to industry conferences, workshops, and seminars to connect with professionals in the field, learn about new trends, and show off your expertise.
- Make Connections: Build relationships with professionals in the sports medicine field through informational interviews, mentorship programs, or job shadowing opportunities. These connections can give you insights into the industry and could lead to job opportunities.
- Get Experience in Collegiate Athletics: Look for chances to work with college athletic teams or programs. This could involve volunteering as an athletic trainer or physical therapist for a college sports team or getting experience through internships at collegiate athletic departments.

Remember, the job market for college athletic trainers and physical therapists can be tough. So, it's helpful to get as much experience and education as you can to stand out from the crowd. Plus, keeping up with current research and breakthroughs in sports medicine will help you offer the best care for athletes.

Top 3 Reliable Reference Publications/Websites:
1. National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) - www.nata.org
2. American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) - www.apta.org
3. Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) - caate.net
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for the feedback. Cassidy
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Lauren’s Answer

Hi Cassidy,
Sports medicine is a great industry, and you can take many different routes to become a trained professional. If you are a high school student, you can ask your school's athletic training department to observe or volunteer to learn more about that path to see if it interests you. You can do something similar in a physical therapy or occupational setting. Start with a call to see how you can observe a therapist in that setting. Let them know you are a student and want to learn more about the profession. People in this setting help people for a living, they are more than likely willing to help you figure this out as well.
In the field of sports medicine, you can look further into the schooling and profession of the following types of careers: athletic trainer, physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, occupational therapist, occupational therapist assistant, exercise physiologist, chiropractor, orthopedic surgeon, nurse practitioner for an orthopedic doctor.
I am a physical therapist assistant. I started off in entry-level work as a Rehabilitation Technician (rehab tech) while I was in PTA school. I did not require prior experience. There are opportunities like this in a variety of settings. Mine was in Outpatient Orthopedic for a private company, but there's options to do this in a hospital, nursing home facility, rehab settings - pretty much anywhere PTs/OTs work.

Lauren recommends the following next steps:

Ask to observe the athletic trainers at your school.
Ask to observe in a physical therapy/occupational therapy setting.
Get an entry level job as a rehabilitation technician, rehab tech, PT Aide, etc.
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James Constantine’s Answer

Let's explore how to nourish your body to fight off illness with the right food and drink choices, based on the principles of dietetics and orthomolecular nutrition. This is all about achieving optimal nutrition by supplying the body with the right amount of nutrients it can't produce by itself.

Our goal is to empower you with advanced nutritional knowledge that can help improve your health and restore vitality. The right nutrients can also boost your academic and sports performance.

Start with water, about 33 milliliters per kilogram of your body weight each day. Boiling or filtering your water can help remove any harmful chlorine or residues. A splash of lemon juice can add a refreshing twist.

Next, incorporate low-carb vegetable plant foods into your diet. Think leafy green salads with sprouts, lettuce, and kale. Be careful with spinach though, as it contains high levels of oxalate. Other good options are carrots and pumpkins. Blend them into smoothies for a quick, nutritious snack. Don't forget to spice things up with red hot chili peppers! Kelp seaweed is another great choice, as it contains iodine needed for the production of T3 and T4 hormones.

For energy, choose low glycemic index carbohydrate plant foods like starchy legumes, lentils, soybeans, sweet potatoes, peas, and hummus. Opt for low sugar fruits like strawberries and blueberries, and select Pumpernickel Rye Bread for your grains. Always go for the dark, unrefined versions of pasta and grain foods. Choose high fiber breakfast cereals without added sugar or salt, and pick brown rice over white.

Protein is essential for brain amino acids, which are vital for memory and neurotransmitters. Aim for 75 grams of protein a day, with half coming from vegetarian protein sources like almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, legumes, and grains. Dairy and soy products are also good options, as are oily fish like cod. Try to have fish meals five times a week, and limit your intake of chicken and meat to small protein snacks.

For lipids, consider Nuttelex, vegetarian oils, fresh palm oil, tahini, wheat germ oil, fish oil, and a teaspoon of cod liver oil a day. Nut milks, nuts, and seeds are also great, but avoid dried fruit.

Vitamins are crucial for your body. Here's a quick guide:

- Vitamin A1: Found in cod liver oil, leafy green vegetables, orange and yellow vegetables, tomatoes, red bell pepper, cantaloupe, mango, beef liver, oily fish, milk, and eggs.
- Vitamin B1: Found in wholegrain breads, cereals, pork, and yeast extract.
- Vitamin B2: Found in eggs, organ meats, lean meats, milk, and some vegetables. Grains and cereals are often fortified with riboflavin.
- Vitamin B3: Found in red meat, beef, beef liver, pork, poultry, fish, brown rice, fortified cereals and breads, nuts, seeds, legumes, and bananas.
- Vitamin B4: Found in dried grass, peanuts, wheat germ, pork brain and pork kidney, white corn, and hulled oats.
- Vitamin B5: Found in red meat, beef, beef liver, pork, poultry, fish, brown rice, fortified cereals and breads, nuts, seeds, legumes, and bananas.
- Vitamin B6: Found in beef liver, tuna, salmon, fortified cereals, chickpeas, poultry, dark leafy greens, bananas, papayas, oranges, and cantaloupe.
- Vitamin B7: Found in eggs, liver, salmon, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, milk, avocado, spinach, bananas, nuts, sunflower seeds, broccoli, egg yolks, pork, peanuts, cauliflower, legumes, beef, tomatoes, tuna, meat, almonds, walnuts, and oatmeal.
- Vitamin B8: Naturally occurs in fruits, beans, grains, and nuts, but additional inositol in the form of supplements may have numerous health benefits.
- Vitamin B9: Found in dark green leafy vegetables, beans, peanuts, sunflower seeds, fresh fruits, fruit juices, whole grains, liver, and aquatic foods.
- Vitamin B12: Found in milk and milk products, breakfast cereals, fish, red meat, poultry, and eggs.
- Vitamin D3: Mainly from animal sources such as liver and oily fish including tuna, salmon, mackerel, and herring. Egg yolks are also an excellent source.
- Vitamin E: Found in sunflower seeds, avocado, almonds, spinach, hazelnuts, peanuts, broccoli, kiwi, wheat germ oil, mango, eggs, sunflower oil, wheat germ, tomatoes, almonds, sweet potato, bell pepper, nuts, leafy greens, seeds, vegetable oil, pine nuts, olive oil, and oils.
- Vitamin K3: Found in spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, nattō, collard, cabbage, curly kale, leafy vegetables, kiwi, parsley, raw blueberries, lettuce, eggs, turnip, egg yolk, kale, soybeans, mustard greens, pumpkin, turnip greens, avocado, sauerkraut, and soybean oil.

You can get your calcium from the cheese on your pizza, but don't forget about milk and yogurt too. For magnesium, rice bran is a rich source, and oysters are great for zinc.

Finally, avoid sugar, honey, jams, treacle, table salt (use potassium chloride instead), alcohol, stimulants, drugs, and soft drinks. Keep your health at its peak with the right food choices!
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