Krollmonster, thanks for the tip on P.T. I’ll try to find that article.
I can try posting the course selection for the Kinesiology program I was considering, so that you guys could give your opinion on that.
L
[quote]L-Dizzle wrote:
Thanks for the responses.
I should have given more information.
I want to be a strength coach. But I think that’s a vague term so I really don’t know what to call it. And personal trainer has a bad ring to it, at least for me.
I want to get paid (well!) for coaching/training an athlete to improve his physical ability. And not necessarily just athletes, but I definitely want to have a job where I help people with their physical ability.
I understand that one has to look at the employment opportunities but also that one has to have at least some kind of interest in his profession. I don’t enjoy a subject like chemistry, but if it helps me with my goal, then I’ll study it. For me, It’s not about enjoying what I study, as much as enjoying my profession. School can’t be all fun, but if it prepares me to do a job I love, I’m all for it.
I don’t live in the States so I’m kind of having a hard time with all the terms. Same thing with my parents, I think one of the reasons they don’t want me to become what I want to is that they don’t know that much about the profession. Yeah so actually, my parents are against me wanting to be a strength coach, more than me wanting to study exercise science.
I actually plan on getting my master’s as well, so I wouldn’t be settling for a Bachelors. I also recognize the fact that I need to develop business skills, so I’ve considered having something like marketing, management, or business in general as a minor. I’ve also thought about getting a certification, like from the NSCA.
Correct me if I’m wrong but aren’t Ex. Science, Ex. Physiology, Kinesiology and Health/Physical Fitness kind of similar? One school I’m considering (a CC) has Kinesiology listed as a university transfer program, it was previously called Physical Education, and at CollegeBoard.com, it’s named Health/Physical Fitness. So that’s three different terms for the same apprarently same program. I don’t want to limit myself with my major options, these are just the one’s I know of. I’m glad y’all have given me other, possibly even better options.
Now, some questions I’d like to ask because the terms are a little unclear…
Pre-Med, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomechanics, they’re all majors right?
What other does one do with Pre-Med other than prepare oneself for Med School? I mean, can one get a degree in Pre-Med?
How would Physiology be as a major? Would it be a good choice?
What are pre-req’s?
Why major in engineering? Isn’t it completely different? Belligerent mentioned that a lot of university faculty member have academic credential in (mechanical) engineering, but why is that?
What’s a physicians assistant? Isn’t physician a doctor?
English is not my first language so please bare with me.
Bauer, what do you do for a living? Are you in the exercise business? If yes, could you tell me about it? Everyone else too…[/quote]
i think sports sciences would be a better pick for you because, it opens ur job selection up to a range of sports. Im currently finishing my 2 years in sports science at BTEC level and most of the modules are good but some are shit, like sports psychology.
[quote]superscience wrote:
i think sports sciences would be a better pick for you because, it opens ur job selection up to a range of sports. Im currently finishing my 2 years in sports science at BTEC level and most of the modules are good but some are shit, like sports psychology. [/quote]
What is sports science? I have never heard or read about it. Is it in UK only? What’s BTEC?
I am also considering majoring in Exercise Science and after college become a personal trainer. I was wondering if anyone could give me some names of colleges that have a good program in Exercise Science.
[quote]L-Dizzle wrote:
superscience wrote:
i think sports sciences would be a better pick for you because, it opens ur job selection up to a range of sports. Im currently finishing my 2 years in sports science at BTEC level and most of the modules are good but some are shit, like sports psychology.
What is sports science? I have never heard or read about it. Is it in UK only? What’s BTEC?[/quote]
btec is a level before university. sports sciences is a range of modules, for example we study 18 over 2 years which include.
physiology
fitness testing
sport psychology
sociological factors in sport
physiological factors in sport for example blacks versus whites
nutrition
technological developments in sport
anatomy
coaching
and theres more.
its basicaly a range of everything to do with sport, it opens your career choices throughout the sporting field.
[quote]N. Robinson wrote:
I am also considering majoring in Exercise Science and after college become a personal trainer. I was wondering if anyone could give me some names of colleges that have a good program in Exercise Science.[/quote]
im a qualified personal trainer, and all i had to do was a 12 week course.
I said I’d post the courses of the kinesiology program, so here they are:
Freshman year:
First semester:
Composition and Rhetoric
U.S. History to 1877
General Biology I
Fund. of Speech
Intro. Human Move
Activity Class
Second:
Composition and Literature
U.S. History from 1877
General Biology II
MATH
Personal Health and Hygiene
Activity Class
Sophomore:
First:
Social/Behavioral Sciences
American and Texas Const
Substance Use and Abuse
Hum. Anat. and Physiology
First Aid and Safety
Activity Class
Humanities
Second:
American and Texas Gov
Visual/Performing Arts
Microcomputer Applications
Football, Basketball Coaching
Sports Officiating
Activity Class
Seems kind of basic to me, nothing special. The biology program is pretty much the same… business administration as well… most of the courses are the same, maybe a little less than half the courses are the same in the programs.
[quote]superscience wrote:
L-Dizzle wrote:
superscience wrote:
i think sports sciences would be a better pick for you because, it opens ur job selection up to a range of sports. Im currently finishing my 2 years in sports science at BTEC level and most of the modules are good but some are shit, like sports psychology.
What is sports science? I have never heard or read about it. Is it in UK only? What’s BTEC?
btec is a level before university. sports sciences is a range of modules, for example we study 18 over 2 years which include.
physiology
fitness testing
sport psychology
sociological factors in sport
physiological factors in sport for example blacks versus whites
nutrition
technological developments in sport
anatomy
coaching
and theres more.
its basicaly a range of everything to do with sport, it opens your career choices throughout the sporting field. [/quote]
Ah, Ok, cleared it a little bit up, Thanks.
Where do you study?
[quote]superscience wrote:
N. Robinson wrote:
I am also considering majoring in Exercise Science and after college become a personal trainer. I was wondering if anyone could give me some names of colleges that have a good program in Exercise Science.
im a qualified personal trainer, and all i had to do was a 12 week course. [/quote]
Qualified is relative I suppose.
Look, unless anyone here has majored in Ex Science and tried to get a job, I think they’re info might be a little off base.
Just like in any profession, it’s not the degree that determines what you’ll make, it’s your dedication and desire to succeed that will.
I was an accounting major for 2.5 yrs and planned on becoming a CPA because it paid well. I hated going to class, and didn’t do all that well.
After becoming a CPT, I decided that training is what I loved to do. And yes, doing what you love is perhaps one of the most important things in life. While money is important, it is only to a certain degree.
While just getting an Exercise Science degree may pose a challenge in making lots of money, it’s not impossible to make a decent living with this degree. It all comes down to how much effort you’re willing to put into it.
Are you going to get the degree and just settle for any strength coach job, or do you want to make some impressions while getting your degree, complete a highly respected internship that could possibly land you somewhere that pays well.
The range of pay scale in this industry is vast. You could end up at Bally’s making $15/hr, going to another club making $75-100/hr (depending on location), or you could get into some PT Director position along with PT and be making close to 6 figures.
Or you could be one of the bunch that is raking in the money.
The possiblities are endless in this field.
The one thing that Exercise Science degrees don’t prepare you for though is the business side of things and marketing. That’s when most students will need some help after graduating.
In the end, do what you’re passionate about. Don’t get stuck in a life doing something just for the money where you’re not happy.
I decided to go back to college after a long break of doing jobs that paid well but I hated. I do believe you need to do what you love as long as you can afford to live. When I started my PE program I wanted to learn everything about it. This is a great attitude, but I looked around the room at all the dumb people that would get the same degree as I would.
Needless to say, it greatly discouraged me. I switched my major to Biology because I could take all the hard sciences along with upper level Exercise Science courses. This would allow me to learn what I wanted and get a degree that gave me MANY options for Grad- Professional school. I work part time as a personal trainer and you do not need a degree to do well in this field. It does depend on your knowledge, but also your personality and guess what your business skills.
Your parents are correct, pick a major that gives you the most options in the future. Remember I started out as a PE major, now I have every opportunity to go to medical school. Well as long as I don?t tank the mcats. My advice is to pick a science based major that will allow you to take the upper level Exercise Science classes.
If you have your heart set on Exercise Science why not double major in Business? Most people fail in this business because of their business skills not training. This route may be harder but it gives you the best chance to succeed in the future. Winners do what it takes to get the results they want. Losers take the easy way and blame someone else when they lose.
[quote]jehovasfitness wrote:
superscience wrote:
N. Robinson wrote:
I am also considering majoring in Exercise Science and after college become a personal trainer. I was wondering if anyone could give me some names of colleges that have a good program in Exercise Science.
im a qualified personal trainer, and all i had to do was a 12 week course.
Qualified is relative I suppose.
Look, unless anyone here has majored in Ex Science and tried to get a job, I think they’re info might be a little off base.
Just like in any profession, it’s not the degree that determines what you’ll make, it’s your dedication and desire to succeed that will.
I was an accounting major for 2.5 yrs and planned on becoming a CPA because it paid well. I hated going to class, and didn’t do all that well.
After becoming a CPT, I decided that training is what I loved to do. And yes, doing what you love is perhaps one of the most important things in life. While money is important, it is only to a certain degree.
While just getting an Exercise Science degree may pose a challenge in making lots of money, it’s not impossible to make a decent living with this degree. It all comes down to how much effort you’re willing to put into it.
Are you going to get the degree and just settle for any strength coach job, or do you want to make some impressions while getting your degree, complete a highly respected internship that could possibly land you somewhere that pays well.
The range of pay scale in this industry is vast. You could end up at Bally’s making $15/hr, going to another club making $75-100/hr (depending on location), or you could get into some PT Director position along with PT and be making close to 6 figures.
Or you could be one of the bunch that is raking in the money.
The possiblities are endless in this field.
The one thing that Exercise Science degrees don’t prepare you for though is the business side of things and marketing. That’s when most students will need some help after graduating.
In the end, do what you’re passionate about. Don’t get stuck in a life doing something just for the money where you’re not happy.
[/quote]
While I’m the type of person that I want to do any job properly, doing something I’m excited about would definitely yield better results, that’s why I want to be a S&C coach.
Those numbers you posted, they look very nice, what would be better than to do what you love and make a lot of money doing it…
From what I understand, a lot of people here are trying to say that some Ex. Science programs are not that good, and that it might be a waste of time and money to major in it. A better option would be to study something broader, like biology, and in addition,do a lot of reading outside of school, studying s&c books that are actually worth the while. And on top of that, learn the business/marketing side of things, maybe take some courses in it. That’s the impression I’ve gotten.
Thanks for chiming in.
[quote]B415 wrote:
I decided to go back to college after a long break of doing jobs that paid well but I hated. I do believe you need to do what you love as long as you can afford to live. When I started my PE program I wanted to learn everything about it. This is a great attitude, but I looked around the room at all the dumb people that would get the same degree as I would.
Needless to say, it greatly discouraged me. I switched my major to Biology because I could take all the hard sciences along with upper level Exercise Science courses. This would allow me to learn what I wanted and get a degree that gave me MANY options for Grad- Professional school. I work part time as a personal trainer and you do not need a degree to do well in this field. It does depend on your knowledge, but also your personality and guess what your business skills.
Your parents are correct, pick a major that gives you the most options in the future. Remember I started out as a PE major, now I have every opportunity to go to medical school. Well as long as I don?t tank the mcats. My advice is to pick a science based major that will allow you to take the upper level Exercise Science classes.
If you have your heart set on Exercise Science why not double major in Business? Most people fail in this business because of their business skills not training. This route may be harder but it gives you the best chance to succeed in the future. Winners do what it takes to get the results they want. Losers take the easy way and blame someone else when they lose.
[/quote]
So in what phase are you now? Graduating?
Could you tell me some more about Physical Education? Is it really that lame? Everyone seems to bash it badly.
Is it really true that one doesn’t need a degree to be a S&C coach? How about a certification?
What gives you credibility if you have neither?
Of course a degree or a cert. doesn’t mean someone knows his stuff, but I’m under the impression that those are what a lot of people look at when they want their services.
This is probably where a sound marketing plan comes into play?
So in what phase are you now? Graduating?
I am graduating in May with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry.
Is it really that lame? Everyone seems to bash it badly.
The reason people bash it so badly is because in the states when people hear PE or Exercise Science they think of a high school GYM teacher with short shorts and a whistle. Ever see an 80s movie with a Gym teacher in it you will know what I mean. This is not fair but on a whole it is how PE and ES are seen.
Could you tell me some more about Physical Education? People get a degree in PE when they want to teach high school. It is a great job, but that is why I know 6 guys who have graduated over the past 5 years who cant find jobs.
IMO getting a degree in one of the sciences and a PT certification is better than an ES degree. It allows you to take a bunch of ES courses but still have a degree in something that is more respected. This is just my opinion but I know people who have gone both ways. I work with a guy who is a good trainer. He has a degree in ES and is certified. He realized he didnt want to be a trainer the rest of his life even though he was making a good living doing so. He decided he wanted be a Doctor of Osteopathic medicine. D.O.s are a lot like a doctor. Well all his science courses that he took for ES didnt apply to the prerequisites for D.O. school,. He wouldve had to take all the prereqs, which would have taken a couple of years, to be able to go. If he would have majored in Biology or another science all he would have needed to do was take, and get a good enough score, on the MCATs. Options, options, options.
[quote]B415 wrote:
Options, options, options.
[/quote]
Along with that, while you should love what you do, love doesn’t pay the bills.
I’m going to echo what many have said. Major in something like Biology. It’s all about leaving as many doors open as possible. With a degree like Bio you can pursue a masters in Ex sci, with a leg up on the people who had the Ex Sci undergrads, but you’re still in a position to do other things. You will likely have a better math background which is useful for everything. Even if you don’t do anything related to Bio, it is known to be a tough and legit major and will look good on your resume.
The point is, leave as many doors open as possible.
[quote]L-Dizzle wrote:
superscience wrote:
L-Dizzle wrote:
superscience wrote:
i think sports sciences would be a better pick for you because, it opens ur job selection up to a range of sports. Im currently finishing my 2 years in sports science at BTEC level and most of the modules are good but some are shit, like sports psychology.
What is sports science? I have never heard or read about it. Is it in UK only? What’s BTEC?
btec is a level before university. sports sciences is a range of modules, for example we study 18 over 2 years which include.
physiology
fitness testing
sport psychology
sociological factors in sport
physiological factors in sport for example blacks versus whites
nutrition
technological developments in sport
anatomy
coaching
and theres more.
its basicaly a range of everything to do with sport, it opens your career choices throughout the sporting field.
Ah, Ok, cleared it a little bit up, Thanks.
Where do you study?
[/quote]
in northern ireland at the limavady college. do you not have that course choice in america.
I dont know about how unis in america run, but you can usually transfer between courses if your grades are good.
I entered uni for Bscience majoring in chem. But have done alot of electives like excercise and nutrition aswell as the biomedical sciences. Might transfer later. Dont know.
What i would do in your shoes is pick an area. Such as one of those places where chemistry meets bio/physiology and then move around from there as you get a feel for things.
So the opinion most people have is that I should major in a science subject… All of you have backed up your views very well too, so I’m really considering on majoring in maybe biology. I’m not that good in bio, nor do I like the very basic stuff a lot, though I like human anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. But that’s the sacrifice I’ll have to make.
I’m also considering taking courses in business. Now I’ll just have to get admitted to a school in the US!
I do have some more questions though… What are the courses like over there? How about the tests? Are they multiple choice or something else?
Where I’m from, in “high school”, or upper secondary level, most of the tests were essay-type tests…
I know of several people with exercise science bachelor’s degrees (including myself) who can’t find a “real” job, at least not in anything to do with exercise science. Unfortunately, your parents are right and there’s not much you can do with ex. sci. unless you want to sit in a lab doing research for the rest of your life, and the money is laughable.
Perhaps if you were to get your PhD and get tenure at a university it would be worth it, but that takes years and tenure is becoming a thing of the past anyway (more and more, schools don’t want to guarantee someone they can never fire them because, in general, the quality of their work goes down).
Most schools’ ex. sci. programs are a joke. Do what others have said, and declare yourself pre-med, biology, etc. You’ll be learning pretty much all of the same material you would learn in ex. sci. anyway, and the choices of what you can do later are much broader.
I found this out the hard way, and now I’m back in school as a pre-pharm.