Go to Athletic Trainer Career Profile »
Athletic Trainer Career Interview
Jen Marino has been an athletic trainer for years, working in a sports medicine facility and helping athletes recover. She is also affiliated with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA).
Athletic Trainer Career Path
“As an athlete myself, becoming an athletic trainer seemed like an excellent way to stay involved in sports and make a career while doing it,” says Jen. “It seemed very rewarding to help athletes return to their sport.”
Athletic Trainer Experiences
Jen got her start by earning Bachelor of Science degrees in exercise science and athletic training from Winona State University.
She worked for many years in a sports medicine facility, where she was able to treat all levels of athletes from professional athletes to youth.
She developed sport-specific strength and conditioning of athletes, especially runners, baseball players, ballet dancers, and figure skaters.
“I traveled all over the country with gymnastics and throughout the region with football, baseball, and softball,” recalls Jen.
Athletic Trainer Degree Programs
“You need to have a Bachelor degree, which can be in exercise science/athletic training, or have a Bachelor degree in addition to a Master’s degree in exercise science/athletic training,” Jen explains. “Regardless of the way you get your sports medicine degree, you also have to complete at least 800 practical hours working under a certified athletic trainer, which has to be at a curriculum approved program.”
“If a school hasn’t been approved as a curriculum program, then it’s considered an internship program … you then have to complete at least 1200 hours under a certified athletic trainer,” Jen continues. “I spent well over 1600 hours between the training room, sport practices/contests, and a sports medicine clinic during the time I worked on my degree.”
Athletic trainers also have to take a national board exam to become certified.
“It’s a difficult exam consisting of a written exam, a written simulation exam, and a hands-on practical exam,” Jen adds.
Athletic Trainer Job Description
Jen works as an athletic trainer, which means that she is a regulated and licensed health care professional working with athletes and other patients.
She is also affiliated with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA).
Athletic Trainer Daily Routine
An athletic trainer’s duties depend on what type of trainer he or she is.
“Athletic trainers are employed in many settings such as sports medicine clinics, professional sports, dance/performing companies, college, high schools, work hardening programs, and orthopedic offices,” Jen explains.
Athletic trainers work long and hard hours, such as working with all of the athletes’ practices and games.
“If you work at a clinic, chances are you’ll do game/practice coverage with teams/schools as well so the hours add up quickly,” says Jen.
Athletic Trainer: Steps to Success
Athletic trainers need to be hard-working and have a passion to help your patients. Because athletes’ lives can be in your hands, athletic trainers need to be able to make tough decisions in high-pressure situations.
“You have to be flexible and creative to do the best you can in every possible situation you might find yourself in, especially if you travel with a team or company,” Jen explains.
Athletic Trainer Job Opportunities
It can be challenging to get into athletic training.
“First, you have to be very dedicated to be accepted into the training room,” says Jen.
You can only have 8 students working under each certified athletic trainer, so it can be very competitive to get in for that reason alone. You might have to volunteer to show your interest and might have to wait an extra year due to availability. And without your practical hours in the training room, you can’t sit for the national exam.”
Athletic Trainer Favorite Aspect
Jen’s flare for training everyday keeps her doing what she’s doing.
“Helping athletes and patients return to the playing field and reaching their goals,” Jen explains. “It’s extremely rewarding.”
Athletic Trainer’s Future Ambitions
Jen considers continuing her love for helping people by moving on to more fields of medicine.
“At times, I think of my decision not to go to medical school as something I might want to pursue someday, but only because I love to learn and would love to be able to go to third world countries in need of medical care/surgeries.”
Advice for Prospective Athletic Trainers
“Learn everything you can,” Jen advises. “You will use most of the info from your exercise science and sports medicine classes. Study hard and know your anatomy inside out and backwards.”
Jen also stresses the amount of work that goes into the field, although it is a very rewarding pursuit.
“You will work many hours and then some,” Jen warns. “It takes a very flexible person who’s never afraid to get their hands dirty. When you do your hours in the training room, you will be able to get a pretty good feel if the athletic trainer career path is right for you.”
