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Getting an Athletic Training Degree

January 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: College Sports, High School Sports Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Playing Sports In School

December 25, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Playing a sport in school offers many different types of opportunities for students. You get to be a part of the team, make new friends, win awards, get the opportunity to travel, and possibly gain a college scholarship just for playing. In addition, you gain physical fitness, new skills, and refine your talent at the game. With all of the things you gain from sports, it is worth looking into joining a team.

Sports in school is not confined to just football. Soccer, basketball, tennis, track, and other sports comprise school teams. Both team and individual sports are available depending on whether you like being part of a team or shinning alone in a chosen field. It depends on your personal preference. Not sure what your talent is, you can try different sports until you find one that works for you.

You don’t need talent to play. What you do need is a desire to play, a willingness to learn, and a drive to work hard. The game will come in time and with practice. Coaches appreciate a persistent player that tries hard as much as they appreciate players that have a talent for the game. Although, it is advisable to put in some practice time before you tryout for a team. It does help you make the team, if you are prepared to play.

Playing sports in school is a great way to finding a way to fit in while acquiring exercise in the process. Being part of a team will build your self-confidence and your physical fitness. It gives you the chance to travel to other schools and meet new students or beat old rivals. Playing a sport in high school can also open doors to college scholarships which will help cover the cost of college. But most importantly, playing is a way to build up yourself.

Filed Under: High School Sports, Team Sports Tagged With: , , ,

Why School Districts Need Sports And Physical Education

December 5, 2010 by Leave a Comment
JJS Karate Kids during the playground demonstr...
Image via Wikipedia

Children and young people today lead a more sedentary lifestyle than ever before. The electronic age we live in discourages physical activity in more ways than one. Digital entertainment such as computer games, internet surfing and television keeps kids in their chairs. Not only that, but the convenience of electronic appliances and gadgets results in very little physical work in the course of a day.

Because kids spend a majority of their time in school, educational institutions have the best opportunity to incorporate physical activity into children’s lives. School districts can easily counter this shortage through physical education programs.

Gym classes and competitive sports are not all about helping kids lose weight. Staying active is part of a healthy lifestyle, and one that can be instilled while kids are young. Burning calories is important, but exercise also helps build bone strength, improves cardiovascular health, and keeps kid’s metabolism high. There is also evidence that exercise helps mental performance by improving energy and concentration.

Physical education involves measurable data such as heart rate, body mass index, and cardiovascular capability. It also teaches children anatomy, nutrition, dietetics and sports theory. These are all important aspects of a well-rounded education. Providing this knowledge helps develop fully educated students who have a deeper understanding of the human body and the competitive world.

It’s not just about teaching fitness and nutrition, but also developing other life skills such as strategy and teamwork. Rope courses, rock walls and orienteering help develop patience, critical thinking, self-reliance and confidence.

Physical education and sports provide a foundation for a healthy life. Removing these programs from schools can deprive children not only of the opportunity for regular physical activity, but also the associated skills and benefits. While modern society does less to foster these important lessons, school may be the only chance for kids to have any of these experiences at all.

Filed Under: High School Sports, Team Sports Tagged With: , , ,

Ways To Use Your Sports Experience For Scholarships

December 3, 2010 by Leave a Comment

There are always sports scholarships available for the best of the best. But even if you are not a top athlete, there are other ways participation in sports can help you obtain a scholarship.

Participating can make you a well-rounded person. If you have other accomplishments and decent grades, involvement in sports shows that you are concerned about physical development as well. If you managed to get good grades, serve on committees, volunteer and do sports, you obviously have good time management skills, the ability to multitask and to handle many responsibilities. These are factors that indicate future success in college and demonstrate your maturity and dedication. If you were dedicated to succeeding in high school, you will probably continue to be that way in college. This is what admissions and scholarship committees are looking for.

Even if you were unsatisfied with your performance, if your team never won or if your season was cut short due to injury, you can turn these into positives. Writing college essays about these setbacks can distinguish you from other applicants. How you handle adversity and disappointment tells a lot about you. If you can talk about these experiences positively, focusing on what you gained from the experience, you can sway a college admission board or scholarship committee.

For example, a injury might make you ineligible for an athletic scholarship. But you may be able to turn it around and create a moving essay for a creative writing scholarship, sports medicine, or physical education scholarship. The key is not to broaden your scope, talk about what you have learned and let your passion for your sport shine through.

You will find that talking about your sport gives you a lot to say. As long as you use proper grammar and spelling, speaking from your heart about your sport can give you a competitive edge in applying for scholarships.

Filed Under: High School Sports, Team Sports Tagged With: , , ,