Being an Athletic Trainer, is a true "Jack of all trades" profession. There is a lot of different things we can do in one shift. Which is one thing that truly helps keep every work-day new and exciting to walk into the athletic training room. Its pretty rare for two days to feel very routine. Whether you are doing an evaluation, taping, rehab, first aid, having to re-explain the pain scale because they can calmly rate their pain at a 9/10 or sometimes explaining for the 10th time why they can not currently play in their condition (you know who you are).  This career provides the opportunity to always do something new each day and learn something new.

Another part of athletic training I love is all the people I have met. When I was trying to find a job to do in high school all I wanted was a career that was not a desk job and I got the chance to work with people daily. Athletic training gave the perfect outlet for that. I have had the luxury to meet so many people and work with so many different types of athletes. From motivated, unmotivated, first time injury, been around athletics to long, to athletes that try to cut deals with you to compete, others as a collegiate athlete that can't do a plank. I also have been able to work with so many great athletic trainers and other health care providers. From my time as a student looking up to my preceptors, to becoming an athletic trainer and seeing myself doing similar things I observed them doing. To now coming full circle and working with student interns and trying to be as fun as some of the preceptors I had the privilege to work with.

But my favorite part of being an athletic trainer. Is the reality that this whole career is geared towards helping people do what they love or are passionate about. Athletic trainers, whether in sports, industrial, physician extender, military, performing arts, NASA, or teaching and research, we all have the same goal as a health care provider making sure you can continue to do what you love to do. Watching someone I have rehabbed go out and compete after returning from injuries is one of my favorite feelings in the world. As many athletic trainers will say we our on the front lines of health care. We truly are a profession designed to help keep people doing what they love for as long as they can.

Go Cats!
Tim DiMango