978-1-4222-3268-2

certified athletic trainers seeking about 1,200 positions at the largest universities, and even fewer positions for professional sports. High school sports, though, presents a growing field. Howard recommends that students pursuing trainer positions at any level seek out internships at colleges. Pro teams also hire interns; that was Leigh Weiss’s first step in his career as an athletic trainer in the NFL. The days can be long and hot, but they provide important training—and show the students’ desire to succeed in the field. The salary for athletic trainers varies widely, given the different levels of sports they work in. The U.S. government said the national average in 2013 was about $45,000, but some earn more than $66,000. Long Training, High Pay For sports doctors and surgeons, one of the hardest parts of their job comes before they ever treat an injured athlete. Becoming a medical doctor requires some of the most intense educational preparation of any field. The typical residency, which comes after medical school, lasts from three to seven years. Residents spend long hours at hospitals, seeing patients and further developing their skills. There are certificates for sports medicine and sports

46 C areers O ff T he F ield • Health Careers in Sports