What is athletic training? Part 4: Benefits of the career
Being an athletic trainer can be a highly rewarding career for several reasons. If you’re someone who enjoys sports or an active lifestyle and also has an interest in healthcare and helping people, athletic training may be a great fit for you.
In this final installment of our blog series all about athletic training, we’re highlighting some of the pros and benefits of being an AT.
If you want to learn about what is required to become an AT visit our blog here.
To learn more about how much athletic trainers earn, visit part 2 of our series here.
For more info on job opportunities within the athletic training profession, visit our blog here.
Now, let’s dive into the benefits of being an AT which include, but are not limited to:
You get to help people: ATs have the opportunity to help people recover from injuries, improve their fitness and overall health, and achieve their goals. Seeing the progress that their patients make can be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. It also allows you to connect with people on a personal level and build trust, which can make a big difference in the recovery process. The better relationships you have with your patients, the better outcome you will get.
You make a difference: ATs can have a significant impact on their patients lives by helping them return to physical activity and sports, preventing future injuries, and providing guidance and support. You can also educate your patient in the process empowering them in their daily lives to be more aware and proactive.
There are a variety of settings you can work in: ATs have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including sports teams, hospitals, clinics, the military, and schools. This profession provides a range of career options and opportunities for professional growth. Check out our blog on the different settings available to ATs HERE.
You get to work with athletes: If you enjoy sports and fitness, working as an AT provides the opportunity to work with athletes and be involved in sports at different levels, including high school, college, or professional sports teams. If sports is something you're passionate about, sports medicine may be a fulfilling avenue for you.
To give more context on how ATs can help an athlete, let's say a high school soccer player sustains a knee injury during practice. The AT on staff will be able to assess the injury and determine the severity of the damage. They will then work with the athlete to develop a rehabilitation plan, which may include exercises to strengthen the knee, as well as treatments like ice, heat, or physical therapy. The AT will also educate the athlete on proper nutrition and hydration to support the healing process.
Throughout the rehabilitation process, the AT will monitor the athlete's progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed. They will also work with the coaching staff to ensure that the athlete is able to safely return to play when they are fully healed.
By providing this comprehensive care, the AT helps the athlete recover from their injury and return to the field as quickly and safely as possible while also helping to prevent future injuries by identifying areas of weakness and working with the athlete to address them.
Job growth: As the demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow, the need for ATs is expected to increase. This means there will be more job opportunities and career advancement possibilities in the future. Employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 17% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Continuous learning: ATs need to stay up to date with the latest research, techniques, and technologies in sports medicine, which means that there is always something new to learn and opportunities for professional development. If you’re someone who sees yourself as a “lifelong learner”, a career an as AT will provide you with the opportunity to continue learning and honing your skills. If you’re an AT looking for FREE CEUs, we encourage you to check out the ATvantage Podcast Network to earn while you learn!
Flexibility: Flexible opportunities in AT are on the rise and can allow for a better work-life balance. This can be especially helpful for those who have family or other responsibilities outside of work. Part of our mission is to keep ATs working in a profession they love, regardless of their life circumstances. What this means is that we have options whether you have an extra 5 hours/week to pick up per diem work or are looking for a long-term contract at 30 hours/week. Learn more about our flexible opportunities that promote work-life balance HERE. Read about how AT, Megan Skiles, said, “(Contracting with ATvantage) has improved my work-life balance tenfold” HERE!
Teamwork: ATs often work closely with coaches, physicians, and other healthcare professionals to ensure a continuum of care. This provides opportunities for collaboration and teamwork, which can be highly rewarding for those who enjoy working with others in a team environment.
Becoming an AT can offer many potential benefits, ranging from the opportunity to work in sports to making a difference in your patient's lives and having a flexible schedule. With the projected job growth for athletic trainers and the varied work settings available, there are many potential career paths for those interested in the AT profession.
Overall, being an athletic trainer can be a fulfilling and rewarding career choice for those who have a passion for sports, fitness, and helping others. Supporting someone successfully through an injury can be a deeply satisfying experience in addition to developing strong relationships with those they work with. Each day ATs utilize their expertise to positively impact the overall health and well-being of the communities they serve, which can be incredibly meaningful and fulfilling work.
If you want to learn more about the opportunities available to you in AT, read our blog on the different settings HERE.
