Twenty years ago if athletics was your passion, but you couldn’t attend a traditional school, you would’ve had to give up pursuing that career, and resign yourself to doing something you loved less. Not so today. Thanks to technology and the Internet, traditional schooling is no longer the only option. Now you can pursue an online degree in athletic training. By using sites such as elearners.com, you can study for the job of your dreams from the comfort of your own home and finish with a degree just as valid as one you would receive in person.

If you become an athletic trainer, you can expect 12-hour days and a growing demand for your skills among employers–there is a projected 37 percent rise in employment for athletic trainers by 2018. Athletic trainers treat minor injuries caused during sports games and help teach athletes how to prevent future injuries by using proper safety gear and strengthening muscles.

Athletic trainers can earn anywhere from $23,450 to $60,960 per year with benefits. With further education, particularly several degrees in athletic training instead of just one, you can take your career from high school athletic training to professional sports teams. This high-end side of the job can pay over $75,000 per year, so getting a good education can really take you places.

Even if you can choose to go to a conventional school for your degree, you might want to choose online education instead. Pursuing a degree online is flexible; if you have kids or a job, you can still go to college online because you get to set your own study hours. If you want to be an athletic trainer, don’t let your current career stop you–go to school while working and then switch when you graduate. If going back to school and changing careers sounds intimidating, just remember that people who love what they do and enjoy fulfilling careers live longer and happier lives.