Want to be an athletic trainer? This is what it takes

Unfortunately, many of us will not end up playing for our favorite sport as professionals. But just because we can't play doesn't mean we can't be in that environment. Imagine being amongst the best athletes in the world on a daily basis, interacting with them and helping them improve for a living. Not too shabby describing "a day at the office".

What are the steps to becoming an athletic trainer?

1)Receive Your Bachelor's Degree
In order to get this career started , you must get a bachelor's degree. Many schools have an athletic training program. While it is not mandatory, it is highly recommended for people to get a master's degree. When into the master's program, you would take courses that involve sports psychology, educational sports research, and athletic training management.

2)Become Certified
Certification will be extremely necessary as a step taken towards your career. Over 90% of states around the country require you to be licensed in order to be recognized as an official athletic trainer. The Board of Certification Examination will have to be passed, in which you may have to re-take periodically to remain certified.

3)Search for Opportunities
This is the last and most difficult task for most athletic trainers. Building your resume to the best of your abilities is one thing, but the connections you have are evenly important. Internships are highly recommended, even though most are usually unpaid. In addition for searching for jobs and internships, use social media to your advantage. Nowadays , much networking is done through online sources such as LinkedIn , Facebook, and even Twitter.

The Good and the Bad

Downside:
-Long hours. Depending on the time of the season, some holidays may be spent on the job.
- If you are looking to make a ton of profit , this is not the job for you.
-Although your role is to help athletes heal, you will also witness careers being cut short due to injury.

Upside:
-Along with the your annual base salary, trainers get to travel with team, having their expenses paid.
-Gear and other equipment pieces are received for free.
-Along with being around a sports environment , you get to help athletes maximize their potential and improve their health.

Through the ups and downs of being an athletic trainer, there's nothing that defeats doing what you love and making an impact on other people's lives.