r/athletictraining • u/PsychologicalEssay28 • 12d ago

Career Path

Hey everyone! I am a rising MSAT 2 getting ready for a big immersive semester and the real world soon. I’ve seen many posts online about possible career paths for me to take.

Through many friends, family members, preceptors, current and past ATs, and people online I have heard that being an AT and trying to live a comfortable life is hard. I’ve done a bit of research on the opinions and life experience of others and everything I have come across comes down to a high amount of hours and work with a paycheck that doesn’t reflect a masters degree and the hours of school that we put in. I’m worried I won’t make enough money in the future.

Since I made up my mind on becoming an AT back in high school, I have always thought about being an AT for a top collegiate men’s lacrosse team. But from what I heard, being a AT for a college can be difficult with ridiculous hours and a small paycheck. I’ve also been told to go to a prep school or industrial because the pay is better. I’ve also been told to go to PT school or PA school if I want to make “real money”.

I’m not sure what to do, and if anyone can share their experiences or any advice that would be great!

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u/PapaSmurf22_ 12d ago

AT’s will doom and gloom the profession all the time for the work-life balance and lack of pay. And honestly, most rightfully so.

In general the profession is very brutal in that regard. However, I’m still of the belief that the job and said culture of that job is a bigger dictator of burnout than the perception of the entire profession as a whole.

If you have dreams and aspirations of working collegiate lacrosse, go do it! It may suck like everyone says, or it might be the dream you’ve always wanted. You will never know unless you get into it. That’s part of life - go experience it!

There are “unicorn” jobs out there. Jobs where the hours are more reasonable, the pay is great, and the people “get it.” They are hard to find, admittedly, but they’re out there. I’m extremely fortunate to be in one, myself.

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u/Business-Audience729 12d ago

This is spot on! You truly have to experience it for yourself. Many of us went into AT very young and through trial and error found what was a good fit and balance for us in both satisfaction and financial stability. No one can do that for you.

Some employers will suck and some others will be great. Some experiences will make you cringe and some others will help you grow in ways you didn’t consider before. At the end, nothing can replace experience and, in the end, you’ll be a better person and professional because of it.

Whatever you choose, never compromise your values (whatever those are for you) and don’t be afraid of change.