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certified athletic trainers seeking about 1,200 positions at the
largest universities, and even fewer positions for professional
sports. High school sports, though, presents a growing field.
Howard recommends that students pursuing trainer positions
at any level seek out internships at colleges. Pro teams also
hire interns; that was Leigh Weiss’s first step in his career as an
athletic trainer in the NFL. The days can be long and hot, but
they provide important training—and show the students’ desire
to succeed in the field.
The salary for athletic trainers varies widely, given the
different levels of sports they work in. The U.S. government said
the national average in 2013 was about $45,000, but some earn
more than $66,000.
Long Training, High Pay
For sports doctors and surgeons, one of the hardest parts of their
job comes before they ever treat an injured athlete. Becoming a
medical doctor requires some of the most intense educational
preparation of any field. The typical residency, which comes after
medical school, lasts from three to seven years. Residents spend
long hours at hospitals, seeing patients and further developing
their skills. There are certificates for sports medicine and sports
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Health Careers in Sports