Often, students enrolled in a certificate or associate’s degree program in an area of study is not related to the health and wellness field. For instance, a student may be interested in working as a physical therapist, but not interested in pursuing a master’s degree in nutrition. The area of study is a much more important factor than the education received. In order to get the most out of your training and to maximize your earning potential, you need to choose an area of study that is relevant to your future career goals.
Students who are interested in the sports medicine area of study may choose to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program or a four-year degree, and be able to combine their science courses with their physical therapy practice. A physical therapist can perform the same services as a sports physician, and nutritionist. Both are required to maintain a valid license, but a sports physician performs surgeries, while a nutritionist provides counseling and educational programs, while performing laboratory services. Therefore, if you are planning on becoming a sports physician, you will need to complete a four-year degree program in the sports medicine area of study.
Sports Physical Therapist
On the other hand, if you have interests in working as a sports physical therapist, you would have taken classes related to this field at a community college or vocational school. You will have learned about anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and safety training. You will have also learned about the different rehabilitation techniques used in sports injuries, including the ones used for minor injuries, as well as the ones used for more serious injuries. A sports physician, on the other hand, will diagnose and treat sports injuries. A nutritionist works to create meal plans, and a group fitness instructor will help individuals maintain a healthy lifestyle through resistance training and aerobics.
If you are looking to get into the athletic training field, you may have considered a career as an athletic trainer. However, if you want to learn more about health and wellness, a background in a different area of study is probably necessary. An example of this might be an area of study that focuses on geriatric care. A trainer who specializes in geriatrics could work with patients who are seventy or eighty years old. A physical therapist who specializes in arthritis would likely work with patients suffering from this age group.
If you would rather work with a more general area of study, such as exercise, nutrition, psychology, or physical therapy, a graduate degree would probably be the right choice for you. You would be able to work with a variety of different people, including athletes and nonathletes. Sports or recreation wellness degree may teach you how to assist athletes with injuries and other problems that may occur during athletic activities. A psychology or human services degree may prepare you for jobs that deal with people’s emotional problems and issues, including eating disorders and alcoholism.
Health and wellness
When it comes to a job in the health and wellness field, a background in the educational area of study is not necessary. In fact, you might be surprised at just how many professionals simply list their area of study on their resume. This simply means that these individuals actually did not learn much about their career in health and wellness until they got a job of their own. The good news is that in most cases a college education does not have to begin with an area of study that is not related to your future career goals. If you have a high school education or even some college credits, you can go back and get those necessary credits to get a masters, doctorate, or even Ph.D. degree that will further your education and open up a world of new opportunities.
