So in my program we just do one online course in the summer. It’s to get ourselves aware and familiarized with different types of injuries in each extremity of the body (personal not the best way for me to learn).

Our very first semester starts next month and I’m incredibly nervous because I somehow ended up being placed in the biggest and most athletically active high school in the area. (This school has MONEY)

I’m just extremely nervous because well… we haven’t learned anything yet. I’m a hands on person and with classes only meeting twice a week, none of us know any wrapping, how to diagnose people, emergency protocols. I just feel so unprepared and I feel like I’m the only one freaking out.

I want to be the best I can be for my rotation and learn as much as I can.

It’s also going to be tough for me because I work part time and am only able to get 3 days off a week that are not weekends because my role at my other job is what’s keeping my afloat with car and mortgage payments so my schedule is a little tight.

ANYWAYS… what was your first clinical rotation and first semester of being an AT student like? What is something you wish you could’ve/would’ve done?

Welcome to the weekly r/AthleticTraining Triage Desk!

This dedicated thread is the centralized hub for all prospective students, application inquiries, academic discussions, and professional career transition questions.

To keep our main feed focused on active clinical practice and high-yield professional advocacy, all inquiries regarding the following topics belong here:

• Prospective Students: Questions about building a competitive application, undergraduate prerequisites, or choosing between CAATE-accredited master's programs.
• Curriculum & Board Prep: General coursework advice, clinical rotation logistics, or studying strategies for the BOC exam.
• Career Transitions: Certified clinicians looking to pivot settings (e.g., transitioning from secondary schools to tactical, industrial, or physician extender roles) or professionals looking to transition into athletic training.

Community Reminders for This Thread:

1. Be Specific: If you are asking about programs or job prospects, listing your general geographic region or setting of interest helps our community give highly relevant advice.
2. Current Clinicians: Please check in on this thread periodically to share your insights and mentor the next generation of athletic trainers!
3. No Patient Inquiries: As a reminder, this thread is for professional and academic logistics. Personal injury questions or diagnostic help requests are strictly prohibited and will be removed.

Thank you for helping us keep our community organized and supportive!

— The r/AthleticTraining Mod Team

Welcome to the r/AthleticTraining Friday Free-For-All!

The tape job is done, the coolers are drained, and it is time to blow off some steam. This is your weekly containment zone to step away from formal clinical discussion, relax the usual posting guidelines, and catch up with your peers.

Don't just lurk—drop a comment, share a laugh, or get something off your chest to kick off the weekend!

Jump Into the Discussion:

• Share the Humor (Industry Memes & Humor): Drop your favorite athletic training memes, inside jokes, and lighthearted content. What made you laugh in the clinic this week?
• Sound Off (The Weekly Vent): Got an administrative headache, an impossible schedule, or general chaos in your setting? Vent it out here with people who actually understand the grind.
• Connect with the Community (Off-Topic & Casual Chat): What are your weekend plans? Talk about your hobbies, sports, or general shop talk that does not fit into a standard standalone post.

The Non-Negotiable Boundaries:

While our standard rules on topic relevance are relaxed here, our core safety and community guidelines remain strictly enforced:

• Absolutely NO medical advice or triage requests.
• Strict adherence to privacy and HIPAA principles. No identifying patient names, specific faces, or proprietary facility data.
• Keep it civil. Venting about the profession is fine; attacking other users, settings, or other professions is not.

Hey guys, new grad here who will be starting in the secondary setting soon. Any tips and advice before I start? Do’s and Don’ts? First things to look for? Things to ask? Any advice I would greatly appreciate it.

I tried to renew my Columbia Pro Purchase Program membership and was denied. What a shame! We’ve been demoted.

AT fam, I’ve been contemplating switch settings or possibly seeking a new career. I’ve been certified for about 6 years and I think I’m over the profession. I’ve grown into a spot personally where it doesn’t fulfill me anymore. I’ve been in this spot many times to be pulled back and continue on. This feeling just won’t go away.

Can anyone give me insight on careers they transitioned to like med device sales, insurance, analytics, etc. I’m looking to explore something that will give me better hours, pay, and keep you busy. I want to start preparing and possibly making that jump.

Incredible frustrating when it’s an 8 team “tournament” and one team shows up 45 minutes late, throwing the entire schedule off. Games that were slated to start at 10:20 aren’t starting until after 11:00. Make them forfeit, and roll the schedule on as agreed.

As a new graduate, I’m looking to go the more non traditional route and wanted to hear from the ones who work in an industrial setting in Texas. How do you like it? Is the pay a lot better and sustainable? Is there room for growth in the company as far as raises/new positions? I’m too deep into my program but am discouraged about the salary.

Hello fellow ATs,

I am hoping to move back to my home state (Texas) sometime next year to be near family as my parents age. I currently work in an outreach program with a hospital and I love it. Pay is good, support is amazing, its organized, and we practice the gold standard. Nothing is ever grey and I get respect from the community. I feel stupid for leaving but this state isn't for me and I'm ready to be home. With that said, I don't think I can work Texas high school football. I currently work in youth athletics and previously worked in the college setting before getting burntout. I am considering the industrial setting but I have my reservations. Have any women worked industrial and felt comfortable? Was everyone respectful? Do you need a OSHA cert?

I have a bigger passion to go into education and be a professor at a college to teach athletic training but I only have my masters. Do I need a PhD? Do I have to be college AT in order to teach?

Looking for any insight getting out of the traditional setting. I have 8 years post prof experience with a masters degree. Have only worked college, secondary school, and now club volleyball.

*For mods, I am NOT looking for medical advice here at all. This is about a situation, but delete if not allowed of course! I also am not sure how to put my credentials by my username for this forum (I have tried), but I am a second year ATS.

Of course we spend a lot of time in the heat and outside, but I take a medication that causes heat illness issues and have had them for a long time. It errs a lot to, at times, needing accommodations or altered things to do during my clinical time with a preceptor so long as I have learned what I need to do outdoors and on the field efficiently. If I can help it, I plan to get a job with hockey or something where I can keep cool or be more so indoors.

I’ve been told a couple times now by preceptors and some others that it would be “embarrassing” if something happened to me because of my heat illness issues and the sports med team I’m with had to help me. It’s really frustrating and it feels like advocacy for health professionals that also have health issues is turning into having to hide our own conditions simply because we treat or help manage others.

I don’t think it is a common opinion in the sports med world by any means, and I feel like it’s a one off thing, but I’ve now been told this a couple of times by allied healthcare professionals and it really makes me question if I’ll be looked down upon simply because I have an issue when I graduate and begin to look for jobs if I mention it. It will not, however, push me to not pursue athletic training. I love this field.

I love athletic training and it kinda has put a damper on things for me as a student lately. Of course there are people that tell me it’s nothing to be embarrassed about at all, but just hearing it so many times is making me think a bit differently about the situation. Thank you! I love reading everyone’s advice on these forums!

I’m an AT in the suburbs of a large metropolitan area and I’m struggling to find a position in a secondary school. I know part of that is on me, because I refuse to accept subpar pay, have an hour plus commute, etc etc. However, a position opened for an in-house role and I submitted an application and had what I thought was a great interview.

Ive been certified for 11 years, have my post-professional masters in AT, had my graduate thesis published in IJOSPT, and I have my Graston Specialist credentials. I have experience in collegiate (D3 - 1 year), industrial (6 months), and secondary school (2 years GA, 8 employed). I network heavily in the PRN market as well which has given me opportunities with all levels, from youth to semi pro and professional sports as well. My PRN relationships have resulted in several club/travel sports hiring me to provide coverage for their games on season contracts and staff with subcontractors when I can’t be there personally. Most of my resume experience is at the secondary level, and I’ve worked as a solo AT at a massive suburban school (2500 students, 1100 athletes), as well as part of team of ATs at smaller or comparably sized schools. I’ve handled all the admin work, an impossible athlete:AT ratio, established student AT programs for HS kids, served as a preceptor, and know I communicate well and have a strong leadership skills.

However, I’m really struggling and doubting myself. I was confident about the interview was disappointed to hear they were moving forward with another candidate. Recently, the posting went back up and I reached back out as I would still be very interested. I was told the school couldn’t come to an agreement with the candidate they offered the role to. Understandable, things don’t always align. However in this area, in-district positions are hard to come by, often have significantly better pay and benefits, and often are highly competitive as a result. I was surprised someone turned it down. I was chatting with some friends about the role and how it opened again, and with as small as our profession is, we all kind of know of each other or know someone who knows someone. A friend of mine knew the candidate that had turned the position down and I was shocked to hear. The role was offered to a young AT, with only a year of experience after graduating in 2025. This candidate has 1 year of experience as an assistant AT at a secondary school, no admin experience, and after learning that - I’m struggling with letting go of trying to figure out where I went wrong.

I’m honestly kind of in limbo about applying again, when the school offered to someone who is significantly less qualified. This could be a great opportunity for me, but learning this really took the wind out of my sails. I can’t let go of the hypotheticals and the rumination on it.

Am I too qualified?
Was it a budget decision, thinking they could pay someone with less experience significantly less?
Did I shit the bed on the interview and am just out of touch with my perception of how it went?
Do I have a confidence bias and massive blind spots?

If anyone has any advice or insight on how to bounce back, or if this position is still worth pursuing when it’s apparent that my experience doesn’t seem to carry weight or be valued by this district, I could use some reassurance.

Has anyone used this I've seen that there are multiple options I was wondering if anyone had advice on what one to get. I tired AT study buddy and that was not for me.

Question to the athletic therapists of Ontario, Canada

**My page has no indication of my business name, nor will I hire anyone from reddit. Putting this disclaimer for the mods**

Would most athletic therapists in the GTA be willing to work for 60-70 dollars a session? Or am I out of touch? That includes driving to the client (putting mileage on their car, taking the time to drive, and an hour in person with the client).

Also, am I wrong to try to hire them instead of just hiring a personal trainer? I would need them to be a personal trainer for people with disabilities. My reasoning is that athletic therapists will know more in how to deal with disabilities because it is similar to dealing with injuries (modifying workouts). The fear is that I won't be able to pay them enough though, and they'll just leave me because their career job demands too much of their time, or as they progress in their career, the pay will become too little. If they leave the business in under 2 years, I'll probably end up losing money by hiring them.

Lastly, where would I be able to hire them? Just a regular job posting on indeed?

My license from another state I worked in last year is expiring soon. AI is advising me to keep it active as it will go under delinquent status if I don't and it apparently looks bad on future background checks. I don't plan to return to that state in the near future but in 10 years who knows. What have y'all done with your old state licenses?

Welcome to this week's Weekend Update thread!

This is our dedicated community space to decompress, connect with your peers, and share the hilarious, out-of-pocket, or downright baffling things our athletes and clients say to us. We are looking for those lighthearted, wholesome, or just plain funny moments that made you smile or shake your head in the training room this week.

Don't let the staff desk have all the fun—drop your own weekly headline in the comments below!

From the Desk: This Weekend's Headline

"In an absolute clinic on heat illness mitigation, a U-14 soccer athlete was observed trying to cool down post-match by completely submerging his entire head inside a 10-gallon Gatorade cooler. While the AT staff praised his creative dedication to core temperature regulation, significant administrative concerns were raised regarding his teammates' subsequent complaints that the Lemon-Lime flavor 'tasted vaguely of hair gel.' Teammates maintain he is 'Him' and he will be 'locked in' for the afternoon match."

Our Community Standard:

We are here to celebrate the camaraderie of the profession, not to punch down or criticize the people we work with. Please keep all stories completely anonymous by omitting real names, specific schools, or distinguishing details, and let's keep the vibe supportive and fun.

Welcome to the weekly r/AthleticTraining Triage Desk!

This dedicated thread is the centralized hub for all prospective students, application inquiries, academic discussions, and professional career transition questions.

To keep our main feed focused on active clinical practice and high-yield professional advocacy, all inquiries regarding the following topics belong here:

• Prospective Students: Questions about building a competitive application, undergraduate prerequisites, or choosing between CAATE-accredited master's programs.
• Curriculum & Board Prep: General coursework advice, clinical rotation logistics, or studying strategies for the BOC exam.
• Career Transitions: Certified clinicians looking to pivot settings (e.g., transitioning from secondary schools to tactical, industrial, or physician extender roles) or professionals looking to transition into athletic training.

Community Reminders for This Thread:

1. Be Specific: If you are asking about programs or job prospects, listing your general geographic region or setting of interest helps our community give highly relevant advice.
2. Current Clinicians: Please check in on this thread periodically to share your insights and mentor the next generation of athletic trainers!
3. No Patient Inquiries: As a reminder, this thread is for professional and academic logistics. Personal injury questions or diagnostic help requests are strictly prohibited and will be removed.

Thank you for helping us keep our community organized and supportive!

— The r/AthleticTraining Mod Team

With the shocking conclusion of UFC 329 last night, this is our dedicated megathread for athletic trainers, physical therapists, and sports medicine students to discuss Conor McGregor’s acute knee injury.

According to post-fight statements, the current working clinical assumption is a blown ACL sustained during his opening kick/plant sequence.

Please keep the discussion focused on the sports medicine perspective: * Mechanism of Injury (MOI): What did you see in the landing mechanics on the right leg? * Pathology: Discussing the forces involved in jumping/planting sequences on a previously compromised kinetic chain. * Rehab/Return to Play: The realities of managing a severe knee ligament injury for an athlete approaching 38 with his specific injury history.

Reminder: Keep discussions professional and aligned with standard clinical observation. General MMA fandom and low-effort spam will be moderated to keep the feed high-yield.

Welcome to this week's Saturday Update thread!

This is our dedicated community space to decompress, connect with your peers, and share the hilarious, out-of-pocket, or downright baffling things our athletes and clients say to us. We are looking for those lighthearted, wholesome, or just plain funny moments that made you smile or scratch your head in the training room this week.

Don't let the staff desk have all the fun—drop your own weekly headline in the comments below!

From the Desk: This Week's Headline

"In a shocking development, a local Golden Retriever was cleared for full contact today after passing his functional testing with flying colors. While his lateral agility and catching skills are elite, the AT staff noted significant concerns regarding his refusal to drop the ball, and an overall lack of opposable thumbs. Coach maintains he is still a 'Very Good Boy' and ready for Friday night."

Our Community Standard:

We are here to celebrate the camaraderie of the profession, not to punch down or criticize the people we work with. Please keep all stories completely anonymous by omitting real names, specific schools, or distinguishing details, and let's keep the vibe supportive and fun.

Welcome to the r/AthleticTraining Friday Free-For-All!

The tape job is done, the coolers are drained, and it is time to blow off some steam. This is your weekly containment zone to step away from formal clinical discussion, relax the usual posting guidelines, and catch up with your peers.

Don't just lurk—drop a comment, share a laugh, or get something off your chest to kick off the weekend!

Jump Into the Discussion:

• Share the Humor (Industry Memes & Humor): Drop your favorite athletic training memes, inside jokes, and lighthearted content. What made you laugh in the clinic this week?
• Sound Off (The Weekly Vent): Got an administrative headache, an impossible schedule, or general chaos in your setting? Vent it out here with people who actually understand the grind.
• Connect with the Community (Off-Topic & Casual Chat): What are your weekend plans? Talk about your hobbies, sports, or general shop talk that does not fit into a standard standalone post.

The Non-Negotiable Boundaries:

While our standard rules on topic relevance are relaxed here, our core safety and community guidelines remain strictly enforced:

• Absolutely NO medical advice or triage requests.
• Strict adherence to privacy and HIPAA principles. No identifying patient names, specific faces, or proprietary facility data.
• Keep it civil. Venting about the profession is fine; attacking other users, settings, or other professions is not.

Welcome to the weekly r/AthleticTraining Triage Desk!

This dedicated thread is the centralized hub for all prospective students, application inquiries, academic discussions, and professional career transition questions.

To keep our main feed focused on active clinical practice and high-yield professional advocacy, all inquiries regarding the following topics belong here:

• Prospective Students: Questions about building a competitive application, undergraduate prerequisites, or choosing between CAATE-accredited master's programs.
• Curriculum & Board Prep: General coursework advice, clinical rotation logistics, or studying strategies for the BOC exam.
• Career Transitions: Certified clinicians looking to pivot settings (e.g., transitioning from secondary schools to tactical, industrial, or physician extender roles) or professionals looking to transition into athletic training.

Community Reminders for This Thread:

1. Be Specific: If you are asking about programs or job prospects, listing your general geographic region or setting of interest helps our community give highly relevant advice.
2. Current Clinicians: Please check in on this thread periodically to share your insights and mentor the next generation of athletic trainers!
3. No Patient Inquiries: As a reminder, this thread is for professional and academic logistics. Personal injury questions or diagnostic help requests are strictly prohibited and will be removed.

Thank you for helping us keep our community organized and supportive!

— The r/AthleticTraining Mod Team

Welcome to the r/AthleticTraining Friday Free-For-All!

The tape job is done, the coolers are drained, and it is time to blow off some steam. This is your weekly containment zone to step away from formal clinical discussion, relax the usual posting guidelines, and catch up with your peers.

Don't just lurk—drop a comment, share a laugh, or get something off your chest to kick off the weekend!

Jump Into the Discussion:

• Share the Humor (Industry Memes & Humor): Drop your favorite athletic training memes, inside jokes, and lighthearted content. What made you laugh in the clinic this week?
• Sound Off (The Weekly Vent): Got an administrative headache, an impossible schedule, or general chaos in your setting? Vent it out here with people who actually understand the grind.
• Connect with the Community (Off-Topic & Casual Chat): What are your weekend plans? Talk about your hobbies, sports, or general shop talk that does not fit into a standard standalone post.

The Non-Negotiable Boundaries:

While our standard rules on topic relevance are relaxed here, our core safety and community guidelines remain strictly enforced:

• Absolutely NO medical advice or triage requests.
• Strict adherence to privacy and HIPAA principles. No identifying patient names, specific faces, or proprietary facility data.
• Keep it civil. Venting about the profession is fine; attacking other users, settings, or other professions is not.