CAREERS AND PROFESSIONAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION
AND SPORTS
CAREERS AND PROFESSIONAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION
AND SPORTSPREPARED BY: RICHARD D. FOMEGAS
OBJECTIVES: Identify career opportunities in physical education,
exercise science, and sport. Self-assess strengths, interests,
goals, and career preferences. Identify leadership skills for
professionals in the field of physical education, exercise science,
and sport. List professional organizations in physical education,
exercise science, and sport.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIESIN PHYSICAL EDUCTION AND SPORTS
School and non-school settings:Coach training helps in evolving
as a leader.Coaching community provides a high level of support for
every challenge as a future coach.Coaching is a great way to make a
living for its a business which can start without a large
overhead.
1. PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND COACHING CAREERS
2. FITNESS & HEALTH RELATED CAREERCardiac Rehabilitation,
Sports Nutrition, Corporate Fitness, etc.If you're interested in
the physical well-being of yourself and others, you may consider an
education in health and fitness. Degree and certification programs
are available in fields such as nutrition, athletic training,
physical therapy or fitness. Careers as nutritionists, fitness
trainers, personal trainers, aerobics instructors or coaches.
3. PERSONAL TRAINER- SPORT MANAGEMENT CAREERSAthletic
Administration, Sport Retailing, Resort Sport Management, etc.Do it
For Love, Not MoneyMany people dream about being a personal trainer
because they think it will make them rich and famous. However,
becoming a successful personal trainer takes a lot of time and
effort and one has to be prepared to work very hard to make a name
for himself.
4. Sport Media careersJournalism, Photography, Writing, Art,
Broadcasting5. Sport-Related careersLaw, Research, Consulting,
Officiating, Entrepreneur, etc.
OTHER CAREERS:
TEACHING & COACHING CAREERSIN PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND
SPORTS
CHOOSING A CAREERChoosing the right career can be difficult, but
having a defined career direction will help in getting a job.
The following concepts will serve as a guide in choosing
career...Select a career pathway as opposed to a specific job;
there are many jobs to pursue within a given career area.A career
choice can be changed.A career does not have to be a lifelong
commitment.Evaluate your career satisfaction periodically.Know your
strengths, interests, goals, and preferences before making a
decision.
THINGS TO CONSIDER IN CHOOSING CAREERS..1. Consider your dream
career.There is an old saying that if youre trying to choose a
career, one should think about what you would do if you didnt have
to work. If you had a million dollars and you could do anything,
what would you do? Your answer to that question, while maybe not
literally the best career choice for you, may give you insight into
what you should do.Ex. If you want to be a music star, consider
going into audio engineering or music composition. These careers
are easier to pursue and you will be much more likely to succeed
and provide for yourself in the future.
2. Consider your hobbies. It is very easy to turn your hobbies
or something you love doing into a future career. Many hobbies
correspond to real world needs and positions. Consider what you
like to do and how that might fit into a career.Ex. If you like
drawing or art, consider becoming a graphic designer. If you like
sports, consider going into teaching and getting certified as a
coach.
3. Consider what you enjoy or enjoyed in school. Academic
subjects translate well into future careers but may require more
schooling than other types of careers. Your favorite class in high
school could very well launch you into your future career but you
have to be willing to work for it.
Ex. if you loved chemistry, you could look forward to a future
career as a lab technician or a pharmacist.
CAREER DECISION-MAKING PROCESSReflect on your thoughts in these
categories before making a decision...1. SELF-ASSESSMENT OF
STRENGTHS AND ABILITIESConsider what skills you excel in.If you are
particularly good at certain skills, such as fixing things or
making things, this can provide you with a great future career.
Schooling may or may not be necessary, but skilled labor is often
in demand and you will find it fairly easy to find work.Ex.
carpentry, auto repair, construction, and electrical work all
benefit from people who are good at fixing things or working with
their hands. These also tend to be stable, well-paying jobs.
2. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GOALSConsider your interpersonal
skills.If your skills lie more in helping and communicating with
other people, there are jobs for you as well. People who
communicate and interact with others well can easily get careers as
social workers or in marketing and similar business positions.
Ex. If youre more the type to take care of others, consider
nursing or work as an administrative assistant or office
manager.
3. WORK AND LIFESTYLE PREFERENCES.Consider Your Current State.
Figuring out what you should do with your life may sometimes
require you to get to know yourself better. If you want a career
that will really make you happy, you have to have a very good
understanding of what you want and what you enjoy. For some people,
this means taking some time off to decide whats important to
them.
4. CAREER REQUIREMENTS.
If restrictions do not bar you from pursuing more schooling, you
may want to consider this option. Not everybody excels in school or
needs a traditional college education, but most career paths have
associated training which you can do and will help to advance more
quickly. Technical colleges, for example, may be a good option for
those who would prefer not to pursue a traditional education.
PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION TIMETABLEA 4-year timeline focusing on
these 10 categories is suggested for individuals concerned with
preparing for a professional career.
AcademicCareer goalsCampus activitiesProfessional
activitiesVolunteer activitiesRelated workPracticumCareer
planningNetworkingCertificationsApplicationFor EmploymentFor
Graduate School
FITNESS AND HEALTH-RELATED CAREERSin Physical Education and
Sport
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A FITNESS OR EXERCISE SPECIALISTHelping
people become healthier and more physically activeAs certified
personal trainers/instructors/coaches, they design and implement
personalized exercise & fitness plans for individuals for
improvement of overall fitness levels and physical
conditioningPerform battery of tests to measure clients aerobic
capacity, strength, flexibility & mobility Offer a personalized
exercise regimen that will help clients improve their physical
fitness levels
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR SOMEONE PURSUING A THERAPY-RELATED
CAREERJob options directly related includes the following:Art
therapistDance movement psychotherapistErgonomistHealth promotion
specialistOccupational therapistSports therapist
Jobs where the degree would be useful includes the
following:Advice workerCare managerMedical sales representativePlay
therapistPrimary care graduate mental health workerSocial
workerSpecial educational needs teacherTeaching assistant
FITNESS AND EXERCISE RELATED CAREERS1. Preventive
programsSpecialists work with healthy adults to increase their
level of fitness.Corporate fitness centers, commercial fitness
centers, and community agencies (YMCA/YWCA)2. Rehabilitative
programsSpecialists work with individuals who exhibit the effects
of coronary heart disease focusing on attaining a functional state
of living and an enhanced quality of life.Most often found in
hospitals, medical clinics or community agencies affiliated with
corporate fitness centers.
COMPREHENSIVE WELLNESS PROGRAM COMPONENTSFitness development and
maintenanceEducational effortsHealth promotionLifestyle
modificationRecreational sport opportunities
PROGRAM ASPECTSMedical screeningFitness and lifestyle
assessmentGoal settingSupervised group programsEducational
classesMotivation and reinforcementWhy should these aspects be
included?How could you implement each of these aspects?
MEDICAL SCREENINGMinimize cardiac risk while allowing the
individual to achieve the maximum benefit from physical
activity;Identify medical problems that should be used to modify
the activity program; andIdentify functional impairments that the
activity program will address.
FITNESS & LIFESTYLE ASSESSMENTPlanning a well-rounded
physical fitness program for an individual requires information
regarding the clients living habits. The lifestyle assessment
provides useful information concerning the individuals risk factor
profile. These factors can be used to pinpoint patterns and habits
that need modifications and to assess the likelihood of the clients
adherence to the exercise program.
GOAL SETTINGGoal setting is a technique that can be defined as
strategic approach to behavioral change, creating an opportunity to
assess individual needs and develop an individualized plan of
action in an attempt to achieve a desired outcome.Set goals that
are realistic when initiating an exercise program
SUPERVISED GROUP PROGRAMS A Personal Trainer, orPT, usually
works on a one-to-one basis with individuals, but sometimes small
groups. Personal Trainers work with their clients to plan personal
training programs to help them achieve their desired health and
fitness goals.
EDUCATIONAL CLASSESPersonal Trainers always keep up-to-date with
the latest information from the fitness industry on exercise
trends, nutrition etc., trying to use a holistic approach to health
where possible. PTs regularly attend professional development
workshops to keep themselves informed.
MOTIVATION & REINFORCEMENTSticking with the habit is even
tougher as work and other commitments. Reinforcement or otherwise
known as a reward system, might help you get to the point where
exercise is just a normal part of everyday activity.
SPORTS CAREERIN PHYSICAL EDUCATION
SPORTS AGENT manage business matters and negotiate contracts for
athletes provide general business adviceact as a liaison between
client and sports teams/companies looking for endorsees
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPORTS AGENTNOTE: There are no standard
education requirements for becoming a sports agent, but many
universities and private institutes offer programs in sports
management. Programs are accredited by the Commission on Sport
Management Accreditation (www.cosmaweb.org). Bachelor's degree
programs in sports management generally cover business topics, such
as finance, management and public relations, as well as
media-related topics.
SPORTS CLOTHING DESIGNERemotion of sport, insights from
different great athletessomeone who loves to studyfashiontrends,
sketchdesigns, select materials, and have a part in all the
production aspects of theirdesigns. contributes to the creation of
millions, if not billions of pieces ofclothingand accessories for
sports teams and sport companiesA degree in an art-related field is
a vital qualification for a career in in sportswear design.
SPORTS INSTRUCTORSdevelop the ability, technique and performance
of professional or amateur sports peopleteach either
individuals/teams how to improve the skills they need to succeed in
their chosen sport, and instruct on the specifics of technique and
strategysupervise and facilitate training sessions plan individual
programs for each playerliaise with sports science support
staff
Continuation..oversee competitions or gamesanalyze team or
individual client's performancework with managers to select team
members for particular matches or competitions may work for
sporting clubs and recreation centers instructing the public may
work for specific professional teams with high-level athletes
SPORTS LAWYERrepresent a wide variety of clients who need legal
advice and representation that usually requires knowledge of
several areas of lawrepresent clients such as:amateur and
professional playerscoaches, referees and officialsleaguesgoverning
bodies of the sports industryathletics administratorseducational
institutions and sports facility owners and operatorssports
broadcasterssports equipment manufacturerssports medicine care
providersbusinesses that sponsor athletic events or
athletesconcessionaires who serve food and drink to fans at
games
SPORTS MEDICINE PHYSICIAN work with athletes and sports teams at
all levels to help heal athletic injuries specialized in either
surgical or non-surgical procedures In order to become sports
medicine physicians, candidates must complete medical school, earn
a license, and earn board certification in sports medicine.
SPORT NUTRITIONIST work in a fitness center or facility for
professional athletes work with teams during preseason, throughout
the season of the sport, and in the off season to keep the clients
bodies in optimal health Usually, this professional dietician works
for athletic teams and is employed by the university or sports
organization. If not working for an organized sport, a sports
nutritionist may work in a fitness center, wellness facility,
rehabilitation center, or doctors office.
SPORTS PROMOTERskilled individuals who are able to fill
entertainment venues and able to market different events
effectivelyspecializes specifically in sports
entertainmentPromoters of all types usually take a commission for
the promotion of an event. Many promoters run their own company or
under another promotion company.
SPORTS PSYCHOLOGISTtrained to use psychological skills to help
athletes excel in their sports careersspecialized discipline that
draws upon psychology as well as other disciplines such as
biomechanics, physiology, kinesiology, and medicine to help
athletes maintain optimal performance and adjustment
SPORTS REPORTER/JOURNALISTworks depend on which type of media
they are going to be working with, whether it is newspaper,
magazine, TV, radio, or the growing realm of online mediamay work
as a media coordinator, announcer, or communications representative
for an athletic association or sports team
WEIGHT-CONTROL COUNSELORA weight-loss counselor helps
individuals track, achieve and maintain weight loss by monitoring
exercise creating sensible diet plans providing support for
clients. NOTE: To be a weight-loss counselor, you need to have
certain education and training to make it possible for you to help
your clients live a healthier lifestyle.
THE ENDThank you very much for listening. Have a nice day!
