Exercise Science

The B.S. degree in Athletic Training is offered to students who desire to either enter the work environment or to pursue graduate education in this field. Certified Athletic Trainers work under the direct supervision of a licensed physician and perform a wide variety of services to the physically active population. Their primary responsibilities include, injury prevention, recognition and evaluation, management, first aid, and rehabilitation of injuries, organization, administration, education, and counseling. Certified Athletic Trainers are employed in such settings as high schools, colleges and universities, orthopedic clinics, professional sports, industrial settings, and physician’s offices. This program will require some off campus travel to various clinical sites. Successful completion of this program will allow the student to be eligible for the national certification examination administered by the Board of Certification. Students interested in this major should contact the Athletic Training Program Director for more information and other requirements regarding this program.

Athletic Training Profession

Become a certified Athletic Trainer

• Work with high school, college, or professional sports teams.
• Work in a clinical setting such as a sports medicine center or hospital.
• Work in conjunction with medical professionals at medical clinic.

Career Ideas for an Exercise Science Major

AREA	EMPLOYERS	STRATEGIES
EXERCISE AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
Teaching Research Health Promotion Primary Care Inpatient Medical Specialized Health Care Allied Health Professions Apply to Doctorate program in Physical therapy Occupational therapy graduate program Nursing graduate program Chiropractic School Dental School Physician Assistant School Many more allied health profession schools	Colleges and universities Hospitals Health clubs and fitness centers Olympic training centers Rehabilitation clinics Public health agencies	Major in one of the social sciences and supplement coursework with hard science classes. Acquire training in the areas of research, grant writing, and statistics. Volunteer in a hospital or fitness center. Develop strong written and oral communication skills. Learn to work well in a team environment. Earn a graduate degree in clinical, counseling, social, or experimental psychology for health psychology opportunities. Earn a graduate degree in sport psychology, with an exercise emphasis, for a career in exercise psychology. Pursue a postdoctoral internship or fellowship for advanced career opportunities.
SPORT MANAGEMENT
Athlete Representation Public Relations Sales Marketing Publicity Promotions Operations Event Coordination Program Coordination Fund Raising University Athletics Administration	Professional teams Professional athletes Sport associations (e.g., NBA, PGA, NCAA) Local sport and tourism corporations Arenas Auditoriums Stadiums Colleges and universities Health clubs Sport facilities	Major in sport management or sport administration. Earn a master’s degree for increased opportunities. Develop outstanding communication skills, written and oral. Take courses in marketing, public relations, and advertising. Pursue a degree in law to aid in negotiating contracts. Obtain accounting or business skills and experience. Gain experience with public speaking and sales. Volunteer to do publicity for campus organizations or local nonprofit groups. Volunteer to coordinate athletic programs and events such as marathons, golf tournaments, or special Olympics for campus organizations or local non-profit groups. Write articles or columns for campus or local newspapers. Join sport-oriented associations and organizations. Obtain an internship or part-time job with a team or other athletic organization. Work with minor league or local teams as a way to enter the field and gain experience. Be willing to work in any capacity to get started.
SPORTING GOODS
Store Management Brand/Product Representation Product Development Product Distribution Marketing	Sporting goods manufacturers Sporting goods stores Exercise equipment manufacturers	Major in business, marketing, sport management, or related field. Obtain a part-time job or internship in the area of wholesaling or retailing. Develop excellent communication skills. Build relationships with coaches, athletic directors, and college equipment/uniform representatives. Volunteer as a team equipment manager.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
	Public and private schools, K-12 Colleges and universities	Obtain a degree in education, physical education, or other sport related field in addition to appropriate state teacher licensure. Earn dual certification for increased job opportunities. Become familiar with a variety of physical cognitive and affective disabilities if interested in an adaptive physical education career. Supplement coursework with special education classes. Secure a part-time position with a youth recreation center, college athletic facility, or intramural athletic administration department. Develop competitive and instructive proficiency in a wide array of sports. Obtain a graduate degree to teach at the college level or to advance into administrative positions. Become a graduate teaching assistant for physical education courses.
COACHING
Professional Coaching High School Coaching College Coaching Private Coaching	Professional sport teams Colleges and universities High schools and middle schools Recreational organizations or leagues (e.g., YMCA) Country clubs Racket clubs Golf and tennis resorts Cruise Lines City parks and recreation departments	Consider majoring in exercise science, sport management, or physical education. Obtain teacher licensure for high school and middle school coaching opportunities. Gain extensive, advanced playing experience. Maintain current CPR and first aid certifications. Gain additional knowledge in areas of strength training, fitness, nutrition, and conditioning. Learn about and practice motivational techniques. Become familiar with legal and regulatory issues related to coaching (e.g., NCAA regulations). Volunteer to coach neighborhood, church, and community teams. Attend practices of teams at various levels to observe coaches’ techniques. Serve as a referee or umpire. Seek a graduate assistant position in athletic administration, instruction, or coaching. Obtain an assistant and then head coaching position at the university level to increase possibility of progressing to the professional level.
SPORT PSYCHOLOGY
Teaching Research Consultation Performance Enhancement	Colleges and universities Olympic training centers Competitive youth sport centers Recreation organizations and leagues Professional sport teams Professional and competitive athletes Hospitals	Major in psychology, physical education, exercise science or other physical activity related field. Obtain a doctoral degree in sport psychology, sport sociology, or clinical/counseling psychology and complete postdoctoral training if you desire to work with professional sport teams or athletes. Develop good relationships with coaches and other athletic department personnel. Express a willingness to learn from coaches and athletes. Gain experience in a variety of different sports. Assist faculty with research. Develop strong written and oral communication skills. Consider coaching youth teams. Show genuine care when working with athletes. Join professional associations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 47 (Sport and Exercise Psychology) or the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AAASP).

General Information

• Be willing to work with sport teams in any capacity, realizing that most people start in low-level positions. Careers in sport and athletics are extremely competitive. Get as much experience as possible while in school.
• Join professional associations. Read their publications and attend their meetings, seminars, and conventions to learn more about the field, as well as to make important contacts.
• Look for jobs in the minor leagues as a way to enter the sport industry.
• Earn a graduate or professional degree for increased opportunities.
• Maintain excellent personal fitness and athletic proficiency.
• Learn to relate well to a variety of people from various backgrounds.
• Consider entering the field of athletics through skills and experience in another area such as accounting, sales, or information systems.

Helpful Links

• American Council on Exercise
• Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
• American Aerobic Association International/International Sports Medicine Association
• The American College of Sports Medicine
• American Physical Therapy Association
• Athletes, Coaches, Umpires, and Related Workers from the Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Human Kinetics
• Exercise Jobs.Com
• Game Face Sports
• Gym Jobs.Com
• National Athletic Trainers’ Association
• NCAA
• Online Sports Career Center
• Sports Careers
• Sports Medicine Jobs
• Sports Medicine.Com

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer