Exercise Science Careers

Physical Fitness

• Health clinics
• Fitness centers
• Retirement centers
• Nursing homes
• Daycare centers
• Correctional facilities
• Resorts
• Camps and park districts
• Cruise lines
• Community centers
• Rehabilitation centers
• Healthcare programs: Clinical, Industrial, Corporate
• Sports facilities
• Individual athletes
• Self employed

• Maintain up to date knowledge of trends in fitness and safety practices.
• Obtain necessary certification in addition to CPR certification.
• Develop computer skills and familiarity with technology used in the field.
• Maintain excellent personal fitness and athletic proficiency.
• Volunteer at a gym or fitness facility to gain familiarity with methods of fitness instruction.
• Remain calm under pressure and maintain a positive, outgoing personality.
• Develop excellent interpersonal skills for working with clients, coaches, and team physicians.
• Volunteer to work with college or high school sport teams or lead exercise programs for local, nonprofit organizations.

Athletic Training

• High schools
• Colleges and universities
• Health clinics
• Sports medicine clinics
• Fitness centers
• Retirement centers
• Nursing homes
• Resorts
• Cruise lines
• Community centers
• Rehabilitation centers
• Healthcare programs: Clinical, Industrial, Corporate
• Professional sports teams
• Private sports organizations
• Sports facilities
• Individual athletes
• Private or group practice

• Certified Athletic Trainers must earn a degree from an accredited institution. 70% of Athletic Trainers hold a master’s degree or higher. Obtain certification through the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.
• Athletic training is not the same as personal training.
• Develop communication and decision making skills and the ability to work well under pressure.
• Demonstrate ability to establish close and trusting relationships with others.
• Be willing to work long and irregular hours and travel with sport teams.
• Build your reputation in smaller programs to move up.
• Obtain an internship or part-time job with a sports team, athletic organization, or fitness facility.
• Join fitness oriented associations and organizations.
• Volunteer to work with college or high school sports teams, or to run exercise programs for non-profit organizations.

Physical Therapy

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Home healthcare agencies
• Nursing homes
• Sports medicine facilities
• Rehabilitation centers
• Doctors’ offices, particularly orthopedic
• Schools
• Health clubs and fitness centers
• Group or private practices
• Universities and colleges
• Federal and state government:
  • Armed Forces
  • Public Health Service
  • Veterans Administration

• Obtain knowledge of several basic sciences including anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, and physics.
• Attain superior grades in pre-physical therapy course work due to intense competition for admittance to physical therapy programs.
• Volunteer for a physical therapist in a hospital or clinic to gain experience and improve chances of acceptance into a program.
• Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills. Must possess patience and a desire to help individuals of all ages with disabilities. A positive attitude is important when working with patients.
• Manual dexterity and physical stamina are important in succeeding in physical therapy work.
• Earn a master’s degree or doctorate in physical therapy from a program accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association.
• All states require licensure which includes passing an examination.
• Obtain a doctoral degree for teaching and research positions.
• Some physical therapists specialize in an area after gaining several years of general experience.

Occupational Therapy

• Hospitals (including psychiatric and rehabilitative)
• Schools
• Group or private practice
• Nursing homes
• Community mental health centers
• Adult daycare programs
• Job training centers
• Residential care providers
• Out-patient rehabilitation facilities
• Home healthcare agencies
• Federal and state government:
  • Armed Forces
  • Public Health Service
  • Veterans Administration
• Universities and colleges

• Build a solid foundation in physical, biological, and behavioral sciences.
• Develop excellent communication skills which are important when interacting with patients and their families.
• Volunteer in an occupational therapy or related healthcare setting to experience the field firsthand and improve chances of program admittance.
• Individuals working in occupational therapy should possess patience and a true interest in helping people with disabilities reach their full potential.
• Learn to work well within a team. O.T.’s work with many other professionals in the rehabilitation of patients.
• Earn a master’s (MOT, MA, MS) or doctoral (OTD, less common) degree in occupational therapy to gain entry in the field.
• Doctoral degree is often preferred for university teaching and administrative positions.
• All states regulate O.T. licensure. Requirements include passing a certification exam given by the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board and a supervised clinical internship. Those who have passed the exam become Occupational Therapists Registered (OTR).
• Occupational therapists may choose to specialize in a particular age group or type of disability.

Education

• Colleges and universities
• Athletic associations
• Research facilities

• Develop strong computer, mathematics, science and both written and oral communication skills.
• Obtain teaching or instructional experience through volunteering or internships.
• Seek opportunities to join faculty in research projects to gain experience.
• Join related student and professional organizations.
• Acquire a master’s degree for community college teaching and a Ph.D. for colleges and universities.

Business

• Sporting goods manufacturers
• Exercise equipment manufacturers
• Sports facilities
• Health clubs and fitness centers
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Hospitals
• Clinical and corporate healthcare programs

• Develop outstanding communication skills, written and oral.
• Take additional courses in marketing, advertising, and public relations.
• Gain experience with public speaking and sales.
• Obtain a part-time job or internship in the areas of wholesaling or retail.
• Build relationships with coaches, athletic directors, and college equipment/uniform representatives.
• Consider working with manufacturers of exercise equipment or nutritional supplements to learn more about the field and make contacts.

Sports Medicine

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Home healthcare agencies
• Nursing homes
• Sports medicine facilities
• Rehabilitation centers
• Group or private practices
• Universities and colleges

• Develop strong computer, science, mathematics, and verbal and written communication skills.
• Join related professional and student organizations and seek leadership roles.
• Find internship and research opportunities with professors and other experts in the field to gain experience.
• Meet with a pre-health advisor periodically to discuss curricular decisions.
• Maintain a high grade point average and secure strong recommendations for graduate or professional schools.
• Look at entrance requirements for desired institutions.
• Be aware of any standardized test requirements, minimum grade point averages, and prerequisites.
• After earning an undergraduate degree, the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) requires 4 years of medical school, followed by 3-8 years of internship and residency depending on specialization chosen.