Exercise Science Degree [Archive] - Physical Advancement

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Anthony LaMarca

01-29-2008, 01:39 PM

James Whisman

01-29-2008, 02:01 PM

I got a BS and an MS in Exercise Science. It all depends on what you want to do. Personal Training is how most people start out.

I did it independantly for a year or so. Then got a full time job doing it. That place went out of business, spent a 18 months selling cell phones and recently got hired as a strength coach at a juco here in town. This job came about b/c while selling cell phones I volunteered 3 days a week at 6am to train the athletes. Like most other professions it isn't what you know its who you know. If Physical therapy is what you want to do, get a job personal training (so your degree doesn't gather dust and it gives you a very flexable schedule) and do some volunteer work at a PT center near your school. Most likely all the professors know all the PTs in town. If you don't get in this go around ask the PTs you have been volunteering for to make a few phone calls or write a letter on your behalf. If you decide not to go the PT rout, try to get a graduate assistantship in the weightroom at LSU. Get your masters and make contacts with the strength coaches. The most important think get to know people. I've gone to conferences and handed a resume to anyone who would take it. I got a late start making professional contacts so I spent 18 months at a mall booth selling cell phones. Do what you can to make those contacts.

Michael Ambrose

01-29-2008, 02:06 PM

You are where I was 20 years ago... I was 2 foreign language classes and a history course away from a degree in Human Performance from Southern Connecticut State University. At the time I was working as a personal trainer. I wanted to continue doing that and go continue studying with a long term goal of becoming a physical therapist. Alas, the school I was looking at would not accept almost all of my anatomy/phisiology/kinesiology/etc courses as the 'focus was to different'. To make along story short, the economy tanked, I did not finish the first degree, quit my job as a trainer and ended up in the Air Force (with the plan to go onto PT - again a lost battle).

So... my point is become a personal trainer. Get certified by as many organizations as you can (can only add to your creditenials even if some off them are 'fitness' groups vs. the National Strength and Conditioning Association). Then work towards the PT slot there or elsewhere.

LanceMoore

01-29-2008, 03:40 PM

I have a BS in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois. I am an officer in the Air Force right now, and will go to PT school after my 4 years are up. Something that has not been mentioned is becoming CSCS-certified, which is what I plan to do in the next 4 months. It is similar to a personal trainer, with more emphasis on performance and team training. You could probably get a job as an assistant Strength and Conditioning coach for a college near you, then work your way up to a Head S&C coach after a number of years. Also, it should help with PT applications.

Callie Marunde

01-29-2008, 04:49 PM

I have my BS in exercise science. I think personal training can be a good start. But if you want to make the cheese dont train for a gym, work for yourself.

If training isnt what you want think about grad school. Or you can always get a job not related to ex phys.

Callie

Amy Wattles

01-29-2008, 05:57 PM

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Nikhil Rao

01-29-2008, 06:14 PM

I saw the CSCS already mentioned. It costs a bit but I'm sure it's worth it. For one thing, I don't think you can be an S&C coach without that certification. The people in the know know it's the most hardcore certification out there.

Even if you're still stuck volunteering (as already mentioned) at PT or S&C centers, the CSCS will give them confidence in you and may allow you to shine that much sooner.

Vinnie Cossuto

01-29-2008, 07:11 PM

Michael...I am in my "Senior" year of EXS at Southern Connecticut right now. I say "Senior" because im going to be a super senior aka. 5 years. Balancing classes, track and lifting was a little of a shock for me my freshman year i guess, although i still do track, but im a little more diligent. Anyways, i am kind of at a cross roads right now also. Do any names like Bill Southerland, Dan Bourque, Howie Horowitz ring a bell? Bill Southerland is now my Track and Field throwing coach and a great Oly/strength coach, Dan was the school record holder in the weight throw and hammer and competed in the Scottish games, and Howie was the school record holder in the shot. But anyways, for Anthony, definatley get certified for CSCS. Ive been hearing more and more about this and its applications. I am in a class preparing me for the certification right now and it seems to be applicable in a ton of fields including cardiac/inury/elderly rehab, as well as a strength coach and almost any other job you can associate with S&C. I myself have to pic my internship by this summer or so, and i think i am going to do it in a clinical rehab/strength coach setting, wich deals heavily with S&C. So ya im in the same boat you are pretty much, gotta figure out what the hell i wanna do with the rest of my life. Good luck.

craig kruse

01-29-2008, 07:49 PM

Anybody else have a degree in Exercise Science or something similar? I have one and I am now stuck. I got selected as an alternate to LSU's Physical Therapy school which means I have a very slim chance of being accepted. I need some back up plans. Anybody have any suggestions?

What do you ultimately want to do? If you want to be a PT then apply to more schools. What is your GPA in your core classes? If you have any B's, take those classes over.

I graduated from a liberal arts school in IL with a BA in Biology. I had a 3.5 out of 4.0. I had a good GRE score (1840 I think). I had extensive volunteer hours and work hours. I played football and track and was team captain and All American in both. I thought I was certainly getting into PT school. I did not get into all 5 I applied to my senior year. I went to Eastern IL Univ. and got a degree in Exercise Phys., got all A's, graduated in 1 year with a Masters degree and was wait listed on only one of the 13 schools I applied to. That summer I took 4 classes that I had B's in during undergrad and got a phone call 10 days before class was set to start that I had been accepted to Emory University's program.

Now I am the director of a 10 clinic company in the Chicago suburbs.

If you want to be a PT, go be a PT. Just because you are an alternate, that is only this year. Go to grad school. Get a GA position so it is paid for. Take classes over. Get a job at a PT clinic part time. Work part time as a personal trainer. Do what ever you can to accomplish what you want.

chad_coy

01-29-2008, 08:44 PM

Anthony,

E-mail me
chad_Coy@yahoo.com

I am always looking for good people...I own 2 gyms and a Parisi Speed School in Indiana.
Do what you are passionate about is the only thing I would suggest......My degree is in ExPhys.

Performance Coaching and Personal Training can more than pay the bills.....

Vinnie...I have 3 spots for interns next summer...we have hired 5 out of our 7 interns in the last 2 years....

Bonus for you guys is our training hall is one of the best in the country!

Mike Pelosi

01-29-2008, 10:14 PM

Anthony here are just some suggestions:

1. Intern! If you intern under a good place with people who have good names you will learn alot, have options, help build your resume, and get clients. Even if you dont want to be a personal trainer, it's still a great experience in life-you learn adaptation techniques, audio/visual pathways of learning, improve patience etc

2. Find your niche. If you want to be the athlete guy, be the athlete guy. If you want to be the rehabilitation guy, then put some concentration towards that. But don't forget that Mr and Ms Jones in many scenarios pay the bills, so you must be able to apply general fitness concepts as well.

3. Go to local nutrition stores, supplement shops, sporting goods stores etc...show them your degree, your name, and that you would like to give a free seminar or something along those lines. Many of them will bite at this offer ( I have one coming up the 9th here in MA).

4. Write/Speak Write/Speak Write/Speak

5. Keep on educating yourself and getting a CSCS may not be a bad idea. I know most places like CSCS or a degree, but the more the merrier

6. Become a versatile trainer...I've taken a whole year to learn boxing, kickboxing, and other aspects of fitness (kettlebells etc). Just things that I can safely apply to people (more of the general fitness crowd) that makes me a better trainer.

7. If you want to do PT you have to do PT if this is your passion. Where a will exists a way follows.

One of my friends just got his degree from Boston University and he's making extremely good money at a local gym and is now going to be doing exercise science related clinicals. Not bad doing something you like and then geting paid for it.

These are all suggestions or more so things I've realized in the past year. I've only been training for a year and I learn more every dya and more options open up every day as well which sometimes do or do not coincide with what I want to do with my life.

Good luck man, I know you'll be fine-

-MIke Pelosi

Brandon Campbell

01-30-2008, 12:08 AM

Also For jobs think outside the box, the degree is more then just exercise stuff, some large corporations are looking for people to help bring awareness and training to the office. Insurance gives them good breaks.

There are more jobs out there for these degrees then PT and personal trainer. I plan on using my degree to get my CSCS and some other certs, going start out training people if i get bored or find its dull, then im going try and get my exercise specialist cert and try and get setup helping doing rehab, and fitness tests at clinics and hospitals.

tackle78

01-30-2008, 06:04 AM

I have a BS in Kinesiology and a Marketing Management degree. I didn't go the kinesiology route in the end but I have two other people I graduated with who did.

One of them really wanted to be a PT, he also was denied to every school he applied to much like Craig. He sent personal letters to every strength coach in his home state until one offered him a summer internship. Mid summer the strength coach STRONGLY recommended him to the PT school and with his recomendation was accepted for the next year. Until then the coach gave him basically a GA position except it is paid (very little). This was only due to his hard work and efforts in networking.

I know you've gotten plenty of good advice on here, all I can add is get to know as many people as possible in the industry. And most of all email Chad Coy.

Michael Ambrose

01-30-2008, 07:39 AM

Vinnie, the names do not ring a bell with me. When I was at Southern CT, I was living at home (Bridgeport), going to school and working full time (Wesport as a personal trainer). I did not know a lot of people or compete on any of the teams. I barely had the time show up to class and go! But, one of my 'regrets' was not joining the track team. When we were going through the .5 credit sports skills classes, the head track coach (who was also my instrucrtor for steroids and sports and kinesology) was almost begging me to join as a sprinter. I wish I could recall his name as he was a great coach and teacher. It took me at least 15 minutes to convince him that I had never ran track before in my life. It was the one 'natural talents' that I did not recognize, that someone else did, and that I never pursued. Looking back now, I wish I had made the sacrifice just to see what I could have done. I did my intership at a large PT office in the north end of Bridgeport. That was what clinched the , although not followed in long run, career path that I wanted to follow. Had I taken it as far I really wanted to... I was even interested in sports medicine. Life throws some weird curve balls at you. I am doing nothing that is even remotely related today.

My advice to you... pick an internship that you are REALLY interested in no matter how far you need to travel to do it. Don't just check off a 'block' for the degree. The experience and contacts are far more valuable int he long run.

Michael...I am in my "Senior" year of EXS at Southern Connecticut right now. I say "Senior" because im going to be a super senior aka. 5 years. Balancing classes, track and lifting was a little of a shock for me my freshman year i guess, although i still do track, but im a little more diligent. Anyways, i am kind of at a cross roads right now also. Do any names like Bill Southerland, Dan Bourque, Howie Horowitz ring a bell? Bill Southerland is now my Track and Field throwing coach and a great Oly/strength coach, Dan was the school record holder in the weight throw and hammer and competed in the Scottish games, and Howie was the school record holder in the shot. But anyways, for Anthony, definatley get certified for CSCS. Ive been hearing more and more about this and its applications. I am in a class preparing me for the certification right now and it seems to be applicable in a ton of fields including cardiac/inury/elderly rehab, as well as a strength coach and almost any other job you can associate with S&C. I myself have to pic my internship by this summer or so, and i think i am going to do it in a clinical rehab/strength coach setting, wich deals heavily with S&C. So ya im in the same boat you are pretty much, gotta figure out what the hell i wanna do with the rest of my life. Good luck.

Ryan Wells

01-30-2008, 07:49 AM

BS = mod edit
MS = More of the Same
PHD = Piled High and Deep

:M:

Scott Markowitz

01-30-2008, 08:40 AM

PHD = Piled High and Deep

I prefer to think of it as Phinally Done.

Vinnie Cossuto

01-30-2008, 08:49 AM

Chad...Sounds awesome, the only problem is that it is a few states over(Im assuming you're talking about Indiana), but thank you for the heads up and if i could get a reasonable living situation over there i will take it into consideration. Maybe I will get in touch with you once i figure out whats going on.

Michael...Well thats unfortunate, but its not like you were sitting on your butt all day and didnt join out of lazyness and unwillingness to give up partying 4 nights a week like most kids here now. But the coach was most likely Will Wright, im guessing he was in his 60's when you were around, hes still here now and in his late 70's or early 80's but the head coach is now Jack Maloney. Thank you for the advice, and I definatley want to take full advantage of my internship and go soemwhere i am into and that is usefull.
~Later

Matt Brouse

01-30-2008, 12:04 PM

Anthony LaMarca

01-30-2008, 01:50 PM

Wow. Lots of good information here. Thanks everyone for the replies. I have definitely gotten some great ideas on what to do until I get into PT school. I have around 3 years of experience as a PT tech. I have also done a 320 hour internship in PT. I have been planning on taking the C. S. C. S. exam in May. One of my professors recently received a grant to get all of the study material so he should have that soon. I will probably start working on my Master's next semester.
Thanks again for all of the information.

chad_coy

01-30-2008, 02:33 PM

Parisi Corporate( New Jersey) is always looking for good people and there are 5 corporate locations in NJ and then 33 more across the country....by next year there will be 60. Checkout
www.parisischool.com
Life and the great sport of strongman is about helping people.....e-mail me....call me and I will help you get hooked up with the right people....the thing holding back my business and any for that matter is quality people.
Many people laugh when they hear I still do strongman, but this discussion here is a great reason...good people helping each other out!

Anthony LaMarca

01-30-2008, 03:17 PM

I showed this to a friend of mine a while back. He had some money to invest. He ended up building a 24 hour gym just like all the other 24 hour gyms. I would love to get involved in something like parisi. Looks like there is one around 2 hours from me. http://www.parisischool.com/trainerfinder/websites/60063/efitness/index.html
I will be emailing you soon.
Thanks, Anthony

Parisi Corporate( New Jersey) is always looking for good people and there are 5 corporate locations in NJ and then 33 more across the country....by next year there will be 60. Checkout
www.parisischool.com
Life and the great sport of strongman is about helping people.....e-mail me....call me and I will help you get hooked up with the right people....the thing holding back my business and any for that matter is quality people.
Many people laugh when they hear I still do strongman, but this discussion here is a great reason...good people helping each other out!

christopher smith

02-02-2008, 12:02 PM

Right now Im in Massage therapy school graduating in April. I will be opening my own theraputic massage clinic. Then I will go back and to school and get my degree in exercise science and then I will open my own wellness center. Like Callie said I will work for myself.
Chris

chad_coy

02-02-2008, 07:26 PM

Doing it all on your own is the best way to go.

With that said work for someone else long enough to learn how to run a business.......it can cost you everything when you screw up your own business....if you fail at a job you just get fired! I have seen many of my friends think this business is easy and after 3-5 years fold up shop...bankrupt...no house....and go back to work for someone else.

The average trainer in US makes about 27g...........my average trainer makes 42g. I have had several guys leave and do their own thing after understanding the business....they are all successful! I look for people that want to do this business long term/ want their own spot/ and are driven....from there I teach how to be successful and if they want their own place I will mentor them through the process( just not in my area!) of doing it.

Dan Harrison

02-02-2008, 07:36 PM