2 answers
Luke
Student
Huntington Beach, California
2
Questions
Updated
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What does the job field look like for kinesiology majors if they are not going to grad school right after their undergrad ?
I am a high school senior looking to enter the athletic training or physical therapy field after college. I have a strong passion for injury prevention and health due to being around sports my entire life.
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2 answers
Rachael Hewson
Athletic Trainer
18
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Rachael’s Answer
Hi Luke,
Jane's answer is very thorough and I agree! I wanted to provide some additional details for some of the areas she mentioned. Most of these professions will either require a graduate degree, or additional certifications in order to enter them. For example, to be a strength and conditioning coach you would need to obtain a strength and conditioning/personal training certification in order to pursue this after an undergraduate degree. Some of these certifications you can get while you're in school so you can begin working right away after you get your bachelors.
You mentioned you have a passion for injury prevention and health. If you do want to pursue the athletic training or physical therapy professions, I suggest going to grad school for those right after you finish undergrad. That way the information is still fresh in your mind, and you are still in the school mode instead of working for awhile then having to get back into a school mindset. Both of these professions require a masters or a doctorate degree. There are some jobs you can do to get you experience in those fields while you are in school like a physical therapy aid or an athletic training student worker.
Overall, some of these professions you can enter right after earning a kinesiology degree, but most will require additional certifications or additional degrees.
Jane's answer is very thorough and I agree! I wanted to provide some additional details for some of the areas she mentioned. Most of these professions will either require a graduate degree, or additional certifications in order to enter them. For example, to be a strength and conditioning coach you would need to obtain a strength and conditioning/personal training certification in order to pursue this after an undergraduate degree. Some of these certifications you can get while you're in school so you can begin working right away after you get your bachelors.
You mentioned you have a passion for injury prevention and health. If you do want to pursue the athletic training or physical therapy professions, I suggest going to grad school for those right after you finish undergrad. That way the information is still fresh in your mind, and you are still in the school mode instead of working for awhile then having to get back into a school mindset. Both of these professions require a masters or a doctorate degree. There are some jobs you can do to get you experience in those fields while you are in school like a physical therapy aid or an athletic training student worker.
Overall, some of these professions you can enter right after earning a kinesiology degree, but most will require additional certifications or additional degrees.
Jane Akinyemi
Lecturer
10
Answers
Salem, Massachusetts
Updated
Jane’s Answer
Hi Luke,
As a kinesiology major, who chooses not to immediately pursue graduate studies. Your undergraduate training opens doors in various sectors where an understanding of human movement and wellness is highly valued.
Find below some of the most common career paths and opportunities:
1. Fitness and Personal Training will allow you to become a Personal trainer, group fitness instructor and wellness coach. Your responsibility is to design and implement exercise routines, advise on nutrition and health, and often work one-on-one or in small groups within gyms, community centers, or corporate wellness programs. However, to have a more robust experience, I advise you take certifications from organizations like the American Council on Exercise (ACE) or National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) to boost employability and salary potential. With this you can boast of a national average salary around $36,000 per annum at entry-level, with growth potential as you build clientele and experience.
2. Strength and Conditioning Coaching for schools, sports teams, or private clubs, enables you to develop training programs to boost athlete performance, reduce injury risks, and improve overall fitness levels. Working in this capacity offers exposure to sports performance and can eventually lead to roles in professional or collegiate athletics.
3. Exercise Physiology and Wellness Consulting is another unique area that position you as an Exercise physiologist, corporate wellness coordinator, or health promotion specialist. This role will enable you to create and monitor exercise programs that improve cardiovascular health, assist in rehabilitation, or prevent chronic diseases. The good news is that hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and wellness programs within private organizations often employ professionals in these roles.
4. Athletic Training and Rehabilitation Assistance provides immediate care for sports-related injuries, work on reducing the risk of injury, and assist in recovery programs. Athletic trainer or rehabilitation assistant (often in tandem with a licensed professional). These positions might require certifications or licensure in addition to the bachelor’s degree.
5. Recreation, Community, and Program Coordination are other opportunities that enable you to work as recreation program coordinator, community health promoter, or youth sport program manager. You will basically fulfill the role of planning and managing sports and wellness programs for municipal recreation departments, schools, or community organizations. You will typically rely on excellent communication skills and the ability to design programs that motivate and engage various age groups, especially the youth.
While some kinesiology positions may traditionally lead to further specialization via graduate studies (such as physical therapy), many sectors value the immediately applicable skills that come with a bachelor’s degree. This versatility allows for a range of starting positions where on-the-job experience can lead to substantial career progression over time.
I hope these will suffice
Wishing you all the best in your endeavor.
As a kinesiology major, who chooses not to immediately pursue graduate studies. Your undergraduate training opens doors in various sectors where an understanding of human movement and wellness is highly valued.
Find below some of the most common career paths and opportunities:
1. Fitness and Personal Training will allow you to become a Personal trainer, group fitness instructor and wellness coach. Your responsibility is to design and implement exercise routines, advise on nutrition and health, and often work one-on-one or in small groups within gyms, community centers, or corporate wellness programs. However, to have a more robust experience, I advise you take certifications from organizations like the American Council on Exercise (ACE) or National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) to boost employability and salary potential. With this you can boast of a national average salary around $36,000 per annum at entry-level, with growth potential as you build clientele and experience.
2. Strength and Conditioning Coaching for schools, sports teams, or private clubs, enables you to develop training programs to boost athlete performance, reduce injury risks, and improve overall fitness levels. Working in this capacity offers exposure to sports performance and can eventually lead to roles in professional or collegiate athletics.
3. Exercise Physiology and Wellness Consulting is another unique area that position you as an Exercise physiologist, corporate wellness coordinator, or health promotion specialist. This role will enable you to create and monitor exercise programs that improve cardiovascular health, assist in rehabilitation, or prevent chronic diseases. The good news is that hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and wellness programs within private organizations often employ professionals in these roles.
4. Athletic Training and Rehabilitation Assistance provides immediate care for sports-related injuries, work on reducing the risk of injury, and assist in recovery programs. Athletic trainer or rehabilitation assistant (often in tandem with a licensed professional). These positions might require certifications or licensure in addition to the bachelor’s degree.
5. Recreation, Community, and Program Coordination are other opportunities that enable you to work as recreation program coordinator, community health promoter, or youth sport program manager. You will basically fulfill the role of planning and managing sports and wellness programs for municipal recreation departments, schools, or community organizations. You will typically rely on excellent communication skills and the ability to design programs that motivate and engage various age groups, especially the youth.
While some kinesiology positions may traditionally lead to further specialization via graduate studies (such as physical therapy), many sectors value the immediately applicable skills that come with a bachelor’s degree. This versatility allows for a range of starting positions where on-the-job experience can lead to substantial career progression over time.
I hope these will suffice
Wishing you all the best in your endeavor.