I decided to pursue a degree in athletic training (AT) because it combines three things that are important to me: helping people, working with athletes, and being part of a health care profession. I knew I did not want a career where I would be sitting at a desk or inside all day. AT allows me to develop personal connections with athletes, work with my hands, and educate others on a variety of topics related to the field. I also enjoy learning how the musculoskeletal system works together and how to treat different injuries when they occur. I am currently in my first year of the two-year master’s program and will graduate with my bachelor’s degree this coming May.

As part of the master’s program, AT students complete six different clinical rotations, allowing us to experience different sites and levels of athletics. The first rotation is a preseason football rotation following the first summer semester. Each rotation is designed to allow AT students to take what we have learned in the classroom and apply it to real patients and situations. I was excited to be at Springfield College for my first rotation because, although I did not know exactly what to expect, I was familiar with the area, some of the athletes, and the athletic training facility.

I was also able to put injury prevention concepts from the classroom into practice. Every day, AT students helped with field setup and breakdown, including taking a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature reading to ensure we were practicing safely in the heat and making modifications when necessary. This showed me how much preparation and preventative care goes into keeping athletes safe before they even step onto the field. At the end of the rotation, I also had the opportunity to help at a game, where I performed blood checks, taped athletes, filled water bottles, and shadowed my preceptors, Brittany Mercedes and Shannon McCloskey. Being able to perform skills I had practiced in the classroom on actual athletes helped me understand the importance of confidence, communication, and adapting my approach to each individual.

Brittany and Shannon are both certified ATs who serve as preceptors and teach students through clinical rotations. Working under their supervision allowed me to practice skills while receiving feedback and learning techniques based on their own clinical experience. These rotations are valuable because they not only help AT students develop their skills, but also allow us to experience different settings and levels of athletics and determine where we may want to work after graduation.

My biggest piece of advice to a prospective AT student is to get observation hours and ask a lot of questions. Questions can help you discover what you like or dislike, understand how you learn best, and give you a step up among your peers. Create opportunities for yourself, do not be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, and most importantly, make sure you are still having fun and enjoying the journey. Every experience is an opportunity to grow into the AT and person you want to become!