Common Careers in Exercise Science for HHP Exercise Science Students at the University of Montana.
This is surely not an exhaustive list, but will hopefully give you an idea about what the field consists of. The list below is based upon some of the jobs that recent graduates have obtained.
· Pre-Professional -- About 2/3rds of our students are pre-professional meaning that they are going on to further education for medicine, physical therapy, nursing, physician’s assistant and other medical fields. However, the rest go into a variety of areas, many of which are listed below.
· Commercial Setting -- The greatest proportion of jobs can be found in for-profit, commercially run health-fitness facilities. The commercial environment is for someone interested in the marketing and sales of health-fitness services and products. This also is a good place for broad exposure to management in the health-fitness industry.
· Community Setting --Many organizations and agencies serve clients in community settings, including voluntary, not-for-profit entities, as well as public parks and recreation agencies, schools and universities, hotels, country clubs and residential health-fitness developments. Many community-based facilities and programs offer exposure to health-fitness programming coupled with a social and recreational focus.
· Corporate Setting -- In-house health-fitness facilities and services found in large and small-scale businesses have spread like wildfire. The objectives of these facilities may include reductions in employee absenteeism, turnover rates and health care costs, while improving employee wellness, morale and enthusiasm in the workplace.
· Clinical Setting -- Hospital-based health-fitness facilities can be found in one out of every four hospitals, with a forecasted growth to almost two out of every four hospitals expected within the next decade. Most of these facilities are closely associated with out- patient services, such as physical therapy, sports medicine and cardiac rehabilitation, and frequently provide both types of programs in the same facility.
With an undergraduate degree and no experience, a starting salary averages $32,000 to $40,000 per year. However, the starting salary for health-fitness professionals is difficult to predict because of such factors as experience, geographic location, employment setting and market demand. It also may depend on licensure and certification. An advanced degree may pay more.
Personal Trainer
These individuals design personalized exercise prescriptions for individuals and/or groups according to the goals of the "client". They also motivate, counsel, and educate their "clients".
Athletic Enhancement Programs
These programs are designed to improve athletic performance of athletes in all categories (from the "weekend warrior" to professional).
Strength and Conditioning Specialists
These individuals work for athletic teams at all levels by designing, instructing, and implementing safe and effective strength and conditioning programs.
Working as an Exercise Test Technologist (aka "non-invasive cardiovascular specialist)
This individual's day usually consists of conducting stress tests in private cardiology practices and hospitals.
Working in the various phases of Cardiac Rehabilitation
These individuals help patients recover physically from heart attack, surgery, or other cardiovascular and pulmonary complications, in addition to lifestyle counseling.
Working within a Corporate Wellness Program
These programs are sponsored by employers, and are designed to increase worker moral, productivity and reduce absenteeism (and health care costs). The professional designs fitness programs, nutrition programs, educates to cause positive changes in health behaviors. Currently over 80% of corporations have some form of corporate fitness programs.
Working for a Private Company that "farms out" employees to a number of corporations
Some companies cannot afford an in-house program, so they hire private contractors to bring programs to them on a periodic basis.
Private Sports Medicine Clinics
These clinics specialize in training athletes to improve performance. Specialized training programs are devised by the exercise physiologist. Some clinics also provide physical testing for public schools.
Physician Private Practice
Wellness programs. Many physicians are beginning to open up private clinics designed to address the preventive aspects of Wellness (diet counseling, exercise programming, smoking cessation, obesity/weight control). Exercise Science graduates will fit this new market very well.
Commercial Health and Fitness Facilities
There are many jobs possible. Many do not require a college degree, but with a background in HHP plus certification you may start at a higher pay, be able to advance more quickly and will have the skills to be a valuable employee.