How important is grad school? What certifications might I need? What are my options?
An Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences degree can open doors to success in many areas of health science. Its in-depth study of the body and how it functions is the foundation of many successful careers. But which career is the right fit for you and your goals? Which ones require more schooling and qualifications? This is your easy guide to what you can do with an Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences (also known as Exercise Physiology) degree!
Jobs You Can Get Right After Graduation
A bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences has a ton of jobs that are available as soon as you graduate, with the flexibility to accommodate several different lifestyles!
Here are a couple to get you thinking:
- Exercise Physiologist: Work with people of all ages and physical abilities as an exercise physiologist! Assess your patients’ health and create personalized exercise programs to help them get healthier and stronger. You could work in a variety of places, such as hospitals, physical therapy clinics, or universities.
- Personal Trainer: Work one on one with individuals to help them meet their exercise goals! With this job you can be self-employed or work for a gym/fitness center. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, such as flexibility, pay, and responsibilities, so weigh the pros and cos of each to find the best fit for you!
- Health Coach: Work with people motivated to make healthy lifestyle changes! Health coaches assess clients and speak to them about certain health and fitness lifestyle goals they want to implement. These goals could include fitness, nutrition, weight management, and managing chronic conditions. This career also has opportunities for self-employment. You could start your own practice or work for a business, including in a wellness center, clinic, or corporate wellness program.
- Sports Goods Manufacturer Representative: Feel drawn to the business side of fitness? Being a sports goods manufacturer representative isn’t just an office job; representatives visit clients, demonstrate products, and go to trade shows. Your knowledge of exercise will be valuable in demonstrating the importance of your products.
- Rehabilitation Assistant: Assist an occupational or physical therapist in treating and taking care of their patients. As directed by the therapist, rehabilitation assistants can attend to the patient in several ways, including basic care, and any other aspects of treatment that the therapist delegates. You could work in places like hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers.
Note: While only needing a bachelor’s degree for these jobs, many also require certification through accredited programs.
Jobs That Require Further Schooling
If you choose to go to graduate school, a whole new world of exercise and physiology will be open to you! Go the extra mile and have the opportunity to work in a variety of fulfilling careers.
Here are some options:
- Athletic Trainer: An athletic trainer works closely with athletes to assess and treat injuries. They help with the recovery process and teach athletes ways to prevent and minimize injuries. Athletic trainers are normally on-site to provide medical help in case of injury to players during games and communicate closely with coaches and physicians so that the athlete can receive the best care.
- Physical Therapist: Help patients regain their strength! A physical therapist focuses on the physical rehabilitation of their patients. They assess injuries and provide a path to recovery, as well as teach preventative measures so the body doesn’t get re-injured.
- Occupational Therapist: Give someone the opportunity to be more self-sufficient. Occupational therapy focuses on helping people of all ages grow their ability to perform daily tasks. Occupational therapists meet people where they’re at, coming up with plans to give patients the most freedom and mobility they can.
- Biomechanics Researcher: Want to focus more on the research side? Biomechanics researchers study the ways forces act on bodies to develop new technology, improve health and physical capabilities, and much more. They run experiments in labs to progress our knowledge of the human body in specific topical areas.
- Doctor: It may sound crazy, but Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences can be a solid choice when it comes to a pre-med degree! With a bachelor’s degree and good test scores, students will have the foundation they need to excel in medical school.
Unlimited Possibilities
We haven’t even scratched the surface of all the possible careers available to you with an Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences degree, but hopefully this gives you a few ideas! Whatever your path may be, you will be changing people’s lives for the better.
Citations
Gym Trainer vs. Independent Trainer: Pros & Cons
Career Profile: Rehabilitation Assistant
ACE vs NSCA: Which CPT Certification Is Best?