Careers in Wellness: Opportunities with an Exercise Science Degree

If you love to work out, enjoy helping people, and want to turn that passion into a viable career, then a degree in exercise science is a good place to start. Although the title of the degree program may sound a bit limiting, there’s actually a lot that you can do with this type of specialty. 

With so many different career options, you’ll no doubt be able to find the right path for you to combine what you love to do with a long-lasting career. So, what are some of these exciting career paths? Here are a few of the most popular ones to get you started. 

Recreation Director

Recreation directors work for towns, summer camps, nursing homes, and just about any place that needs someone to develop physical activities and programs. Whether you’re instructing camp counselors on how to get their campers up and moving or putting together various workout plans for patients who need to keep an active eye on their blood pressure, you’ll find that your skills are needed.

Physical Education Teacher

Although working as a “phys ed” or gym teacher requires you to also have a degree in education, it all starts with an exercise science major. You will learn how to get your students up and moving while helping them prevent injuries, while also learning how to effectively educate. There’s a lot more to being a gym teacher than just showing your students how to play volleyball or run a lap around the field.

Personal Trainers

Usually, personal trainers work in fitness centers where they do a combination of leading group classes and working with clients one-on-one. However, some personal trainers, those with plenty of experience and connections, work with the rich and powerful, helping them get into (or stay in) shape. No matter which direction you choose, it all starts with a degree in exercise science. 

Athletic Trainer

Do you want to work with athletes at all levels? If so, then a job as an athletic trainer is the right career path for you. Athletic trainers work for professional, semi-professional, and even amateur sports teams helping athletes perform their best on the field. They also assist with rehabbing injuries, off-season conditioning, and more. 

Physical Therapist

In order to work as a physical therapist, you’ll need some additional training, like a master’s degree in the field, so that you can pass the necessary exams and become certified. While you’re working towards that goal, you can go straight from your degree in exercise science to spending time as a paid physical therapy assistant, which will give you the hands-on experience that you need to work in the field. But it all starts with a degree.

Want to Major in Exercise Science?

If you’ve decided that exercise science is the right college major for you, then consider attending Dean College. We’re a small school with a lot to offer, including plenty of opportunities for exercise science students to get some hands-on experience working with our local sports teams. We also have specialized tracks in Pre-Athletic Training and Pre-Physical Therapy, in addition to a major in Athletic Coaching and Recreation Management. Request more information, today!