The savings in health care costs and the improvement of the quality of life for student athletes would be immeasurable. Colleges and universities offer additional employment options both with athletic department staff assignments and athletic training education programs. A master's degree is usually required for employment. Prestige in the eyes of the public is high and turnover rates are low. The salaries are generally lower than high school positions.
Fewer opportunities are available with professional sports team.
Although these teams compete only a few months pre year, athletic trainers work almost the entire year round in conditioning and rehabilitation. The prestige and exposure factors are understandably high with the public, however, salaries are lower than college and secondary school positions, considering the time commitment, level of responsibility and pressure associated with these positions. Positions with professional sports teams also offer less job security and opportunities for women are almost non-existent. Sports medicine clinics offer more regular work hours, a diverse patient population without the emergency care component. Students seeking employment in this sub discipline would be advised to include industrial or organizational psychology, management, industrial safety, computer and health promotion course work as electives.