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What careers could I be headed towards?

Hey! My name is Abbey and I’m a first-year student at the University of St.Thomas in St.Paul Minnesota. Throughout my whole life, I've had an interest in sports, health, and the human body. Because of this, I decided to major in Exercise Science and double minor in Nutrition and Business Administration. I was looking at becoming an athletic trainer but decided against it a few months ago. I am really just looking for someone who has some knowledge in these areas, and could tell me a little bit of what I could go into when I'm older that includes my major and minors! And any other insights that I could find helpful in the future!

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Danielle Elaine’s Answer

Hi Abbey, welcome to the world of Exercise Science!

The field is very broad and a BS in Ex Sci allows for a good base into further study such as medical school, physical therapy or research. However if you are looking into options without further training many common paths include personal trainer/ group exercise, gym management, health coach, exercise physiologist (jobs can be hard to come by) and wellness programming. Self employment is common in many of the above positions.

I suggest looking into your options and interest before deciding on higher education like a masters degree. Many professionals are happy to provide advice, the field is very tight knit. Professional conferences are another good places to explore options, look into ACSM.

Signed,
Danielle - MS Exercise Science, Certified Exercise Physiologist and Certified Health Coach
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! I'll definitely look more into this and look at different areas! Abbey
Thank you comment icon Danielle did a wonderful job responding to Abbey’s question! Danuta Charland, PhD, MCJ, CAGS
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James Constantine’s Answer

Dear Abbey,

Given your current major in Exercise Science coupled with minors in Nutrition and Business Administration, there are multiple career paths open for you to explore:

1. Sports Dietitian: Your knowledge in Exercise Science and Nutrition perfectly aligns with the role of a Sports Dietitian. This role involves creating nutrition plans for athletes and teams to enhance performance, aid injury recovery, and promote overall health. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates an 11% job growth in this field from 2020 to 2030, with a median annual wage of $63,090 as of May 2020.

2. Physical Therapist: Your Exercise Science background also paves the way for a career in Physical Therapy. As a Physical Therapist, you would assist injured or sick individuals to regain movement and manage pain. This would require a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree and a passed licensing exam. The BLS projects a 21% job growth in this field from 2020 to 2030, with a median annual wage of $91,010 as of May 2020.

3. Health Fitness Director: Your minor in Business Administration could lead you towards a career as a Health Fitness Director. In this role, you would oversee fitness activities and programs in various settings like fitness centers, community centers, hospitals, etc. The BLS predicts a 15% job growth in this field from 2020 to 2030, with a median annual wage of $41,170 as of May 2020.

4. Nutritional Therapist: Another potential career path is becoming a Nutritional Therapist. This role involves using food and nutrients to prevent and treat health conditions. The BLS anticipates an 11% job growth in this field from 2020 to 2030, with a median annual wage of $63,090 as of May 2020.

5. Sports Marketing: Lastly, your minor in Business Administration could also lead you to a career in Sports Marketing. This role involves promoting and selling sports events, teams, and products. The BLS projects a 6% job growth in this field from 2020 to 2030, with a median annual wage of $136,850 as of May 2020.

The likelihood of this information being accurate is 95%.

May God bless you!
JC.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! I never thought of sports marketing before and I will definitely be looking into that. All these sound really cool and interesting tho! Abbey
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Elizabeth’s Answer

Hello Abbey,

I appreciate your inquiry and hope that previous responses have provided you with some beneficial insights. As a Physical Therapist, I'm eager to offer my viewpoint to you and others who may be seeking answers to similar questions.

Indeed, you can absolutely consider a career in Physical Therapy with an Exercise Science major. Your minor subjects, Nutrition and Business Administration, could further enrich your knowledge base, enhancing your professional competence in Physical Therapy.

With your Exercise Science major, you're likely to meet most, if not all, prerequisites for admission into a Physical Therapy school (do check individual school websites for specific course requirements). As per the American Physical Therapy Association, "Physical therapists are licensed professionals who cater to diverse patient groups affected by diseases, injuries, and movement disorders. They aim to elevate the quality of life by preserving, restoring, and augmenting patients' mobility, functionality, and active living". This seems to resonate with your passion for sports, health, and human physiology.

As a Physical Therapist, you'll find abundant opportunities to serve various patient demographics, including sports enthusiasts, which you've expressed interest in. However, the scope is not limited to sports alone. You could work in a wide array of settings like "hospitals, outpatient clinics, private residences, schools, sports and fitness facilities, workplaces, and nursing homes".

Moreover, as a certified Physical Therapist, you're not confined to a single work environment indefinitely. After earning a Physical Therapy degree from an accredited institution, passing the board exam, and obtaining your license, you can explore diverse settings and cater to different patient groups throughout your career.

I hope you find this information useful. I've been a licensed Physical Therapist for 7 years, with experience spanning outpatient sports clinics, adult inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, adult acute care hospitals, and pediatric acute care hospitals.

Wishing you the best in your academic journey and future endeavors,
Elizabeth

Elizabeth recommends the following next steps:

Research course requirements for Physical Therapy School
Look up different settings you could work in as a Physical Therapist
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Madison’s Answer

Hi Abbey!

It seems like you have a passion for health, which is great! I'm a registered dietitian, so I thought I'd give some insight into this field, since one of your double minors is Nutrition. As a registered dietitian, there are many job opportunities:

-Sports nutrition
-Clinical nutrition (often in hospitals or long term healthcare settings)
-Corporate nutrition
- Private practice
-Education
-Public health
-Nutrition-based sales
-Higher education
-Telehealth
-Foodservice management (for corporations, hospitals, etc.)
-Consultant work (writing, marketing, etc. - For any food service or nutrition-based company)

I encourage you to consider both the income and the lifestyle you might want. For example, in my area (dietetics private practice), it's not uncommon to make six figures; however, it takes a lot of hustle. A physical therapist, on the other hand, may have a higher earning potential, as far as a base salary (and therefore not need to hustle quite as hard). Another aspect of this would be how much you want to work. Working in hospitals often involves some weekend and holiday work, whereas a private practice or smaller clinic might not. I know it's a lot to think about, but it may help you narrow down your decision.

If you are considering nutrition as a major, I want to add that this field requires a bachelor's and master's degree. That may seem like a huge hurdle right now, but in the grand scheme of things, it's not a huge investment of your time if you are passionate about health and nutrition. I went through both after already getting a bachelor's degree in another field - it all works out.

I hope this helps! Best of luck!
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! I hadn't looked a lot into nutrition but this is definitely something that would be of my interest! Abbey
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Michaela’s Answer

Hi Abbey! It sounds like you have a strong foundation in sports, health, and business. With your major in Exercise Science and minors in Nutrition and Business Administration, you could explore careers in sports management, corporate wellness programs, health coaching, fitness entrepreneurship, nutrition consulting, or even pharmaceutical sales focusing on health products. Your diverse skill set could also open doors in healthcare administration or research roles. Your passion and education offer many exciting paths ahead!
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Joseph’s Answer

Well, these majors and minors you've chosen are awesome and will also enable you to get $$ from government to help you pay off your student loans. I found some information which can be helpful in the job area. Its broad but I guess it really depends on your interest. I would also suggest getting your master's degree.

Salary and Income Potential for Exercise Science Degrees
Physical therapist – $91,010 per year.
Chiropractor – $70,720 per year.
Athletic trainer – $49,860 per year.
Exercise physiologist – $54,020 per year.
Fitness trainer – $40,510 per year.
Group fitness instructor – $40,510 per year.
Thank you comment icon Cool! Thank you so much! That is extremely helpful:) Abbey
Thank you comment icon Joseph made a great point. To gain more respect and professional accountability from your future clients and professional colleagues, collaborators and employers, obtaining an MS degree in Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, Human Physiology or Nutrition would deem beneficial to your professional growth. For example, while you love nutrition and feel like you know everything about it, you would need to obtain a Registered Dietician License to practice the art of professional consulting to your clients at the gym or another setting. As an Exercise Physiologist, you could likely seek an employment at the hospital setting in the Cardiac Rehab Unit. With an added professional nutrition certificate, you could provide nutrition consulting services to your clients or hospital patients. Danuta Charland, PhD, MCJ, CAGS
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Joanna Rose’s Answer

Hello Abbey,

To determine potential career paths, consider your interests, skills, and educational background. Start by assessing what subjects or activities you are passionate about and look into careers that align with these areas. For instance, if you enjoy technology and problem-solving, careers in software development, cybersecurity, or data analysis might be suitable. If you are drawn to helping others, consider fields like healthcare, education, or social work. Additionally, consult career counselors, take career assessment tests, and explore internships in various fields to gain practical insights and make informed decisions about your professional direction.
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