If you’re passionate about physical fitness, sports and health, then a career in kinesiology might be the perfect fit for you. Talk to your high school guidance counselor about your career aspirations and discuss whether you can adjust your course load. It would be ideal to take as many science and health courses as possible. Try to take a class on human anatomy and physiology, if available.
Additionally, look for a relevant part-time job during the summer or after school. You could pursue positions at local fitness centers, community sports facilities, or recreational programs for young children. You can also look for sports-related summer camps. Of course, you’ll also want to participate in sports teams at your school.
Although there are many possible career paths for kinesiologists, they all generally require a bachelor’s degree. Some may require additional training and certifications (e.g. massage therapists and personal trainers). Others require a graduate degree and licensure (e.g. physical therapy).
Even if your chosen career doesn’t require an advanced degree or certifications, having additional credentials can be helpful. For instance, fitness centers may prefer or require that their fitness trainers have a CPR certification in addition to their personal trainer certification. Some certifications may be activity-specific, such as the Registered Yoga Teacher credential from the Yoga Alliance.
If the thought of becoming a kinesiologist appeals to you, you’ll need to plan on earning a bachelor’s degree after high school. Not all colleges offer a degree specifically in kinesiology. Fortunately, exercise science degrees are more common, and they are a great fit for aspiring kinesiologists.
An exercise science degree will prepare you to pursue a wide range of related careers, go on to graduate school or sit for a nationally recognized certification. Exercise science degrees encompass a spectrum of competencies in areas such as anatomy, physiology, motor learning, corrective exercise and behavioral changes. Although the specific curriculum will vary depending on your school, you can generally expect to study topics such as the following:
- Principles of scientific research in sports performance, physical activity, nutrition and overall health
- Strength and cardiovascular training techniques, with a look at the responses and adaptations of the musculoskeletal, cardiac and respiratory systems
- Factors involved with behavioral patterns and behavioral change, including the basics of sports psychology
- Fundamentals of nutritional science and how nutritional choices affect overall health
- Sports performance science and coaching, including movement preparation, plyometrics, acceleration, multidirectional speed and exercise techniques
- Motor skills through the lifespan, with a look at developmental motor milestones and special concerns of rehabilitation populations
As an exercise science major, you can expect to attend a combination of lecture classes and hands-on labs. Although you’ll be busy studying, you should plan on setting aside plenty of time for making good use of your school’s recreational programs and fitness centers. It’s ideal for exercise science majors to have a thorough understanding of a range of physical activities—from pickleball to aquatics—and acquiring first-hand experience can be quite enjoyable.
During your time as an undergrad, look for part-time employment opportunities that are relevant to your field, such as a job as a student worker at your campus fitness center. You might also consider looking for job shadowing and internship opportunities at nearby physical rehabilitation clinics, community sports facilities and similar venues. The career services department at your school is an excellent resource for finding internship and part-time employment opportunities.
There is no universal answer to this question. Since kinesiologists can pursue a range of different career paths, one might need a graduate degree while another does not. There are certainly many professions in this field that you can pursue without a graduate degree, although you might need a professional certification.
For example, personal trainers might not always need a certification to lead group fitness classes. However, they usually will need a certification to work one-on-one with clients. On the other hand, aspiring physical therapists do need to go on to grad school after earning a bachelor’s degree. In fact, all states require physical therapists to hold a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree and appropriate state licensure.
During your last two years as an undergrad, you’ll need to give some serious thought to your preferred career pathway. In particular, you’ll need to consider whether you want to go to grad school. If you’re having trouble deciding exactly which type of kinesiology career you want to pursue, consider talking to your school’s alumni relations coordinator to see if you can connect with working professionals in the field. Their insights may help give your own career plans greater clarity.