Athletic Trainer Internships for Undergraduates: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
For undergraduate students pursuing a career in athletic training, internships are invaluable. They provide hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and a deeper understanding of the profession. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to athletic trainer internships, drawing upon insights from various programs and experiences. These internships are not simply about observation but offer immersive experiences.
The Value of Athletic Training Internships
Athletic training internships offer numerous benefits:
- Direct Patient Interaction: Internships like the Pediatric Sports Medicine Athletic Training (PSMAT) Internship and Immersion, prepare college students currently enrolled in a CAATE accredited university for the various roles that an Athletic Trainer may have in the outreach and clinical settings. The Play Strong intern works with patients within the Play Strong Program offered by Sports Medicine. Patients in this program are ages 5 and older and may be living with chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, chronic pain and obesity. Interns are directly involved with evaluations, treatment, rehabilitation, and event coverage depending on the season.
- Skill Development: Interns gain practical experience in areas such as rehabilitation, therapeutic interventions, injury evaluation, and emergency care. They develop and hone their skills through hands-on involvement.
- Professional Growth: Internships challenge students, build their confidence, and help them grow professionally. They learn to apply their knowledge in real-world situations and refine their clinical skills.
- Networking: Internships provide opportunities to connect with professionals in the field, including certified athletic trainers, physical therapists, and physicians. These connections can be invaluable for future career prospects.
- Career Exploration: Internships expose students to different settings and roles within athletic training, helping them to identify their areas of interest and potential career paths.
- Confidence Building: Internships provide opportunities to develop professional skills as an Athletic Trainer. Being exposed to these learning experiences really opens eyes to vast opportunities and different roles that an Athletic Trainer can take on in the world of sports medicine.
Types of Athletic Training Internships
Athletic training internships are available in a variety of settings, including:
- Sports Medicine Clinics: These internships provide exposure to a wide range of patients and conditions, as well as opportunities to work with physicians and other healthcare professionals.
- Professional Sports Teams: Internships with professional sports teams offer the chance to work with elite athletes and gain experience in a high-performance environment. The Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers’ Society (PBATS) offers a summer internship program. Students who apply for the program should be prepared for a busy summer as these internships are not simply about observation.
- Collegiate Athletics: Internships with college athletic programs provide experience working with student-athletes and supporting their health and well-being.
- High School Athletics: These internships offer the opportunity to work with young athletes and gain experience in injury prevention and management.
- Outreach Programs: Internships in outreach settings, such as the Play Strong Program, allow interns to work with patients living with chronic conditions and promote positive lifestyle changes related to physical activity.
Finding and Applying for Internships
Several resources can help students find and apply for athletic training internships:
- University Career Services: Career services offices often have listings of internship opportunities and can provide guidance on resume writing and interviewing.
- Accredited Athletic Training Programs: Enrolling in a CAATE accredited university is a great start. Program directors and clinical preceptors are valuable resources for finding internships and can provide letters of recommendation.
- Professional Organizations: Organizations like PHATS (Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers’ Society) serve as clearinghouses for internship applications. PHATS is primarily focusing its efforts on connecting students seeking clinical experience. However, if the applicant is currently certified he/she can still apply.
- Online Job Boards: Websites such as Indeed and LinkedIn often list athletic training internship opportunities.
Application Process:
- Resume and Cover Letter: Prepare a professional resume and cover letter highlighting your skills, experience, and interest in the internship.
- Letters of Recommendation: Obtain letters of recommendation from program directors, clinical preceptors, or other professionals who can attest to your abilities. A letter of recommendation from program director, or recent clinical preceptor.
- Application Deadlines: Be aware of application deadlines and submit your materials on time.
- Interviews: Prepare for interviews by researching the organization and practicing common interview questions.
Internship Experiences and Testimonials
The experiences of former interns highlight the value and impact of these opportunities:
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- Emily Hayley (Saint Louis University): "This summer I had the opportunity to intern with IBJI’s partner, the Schaumburg Boomers. It was an amazing experience being exposed to a professional baseball environment, but also an incredible learning atmosphere. The players were very accepting of my role as a student and encouraged my learning. I had a ton of exposure to rehabilitation and therapeutic interventions that I haven’t had a lot of experience with yet, and had exposure to a few emergent situations. Not only did this internship enhance my clinical skills, but it challenged me and helped me grow my confidence as my preceptor was an incredible mentor who pushed me to perform my best."
- Faith Koffron (Lindenwood University): "I had the rare opportunity to intern for IBJI this past summer and received even more experience and confidence than I had ever hoped for. I was exposed to almost all aspects of athletic training from first aid/emergency care, to clinic rehabilitation and documentation, to injury evaluations. I was lucky enough to have had the chance to observe a couple surgeries with IBJI doctors as well as help cover sporting events such as Chicago Bandits games and a Chicago Red Stars scrimmage. The highlight of my internship was being able to play catch with a MLB player as part of his overhand throwing rehabilitation. I had such a positive experience with IBJI’s athletic training internship program that I knew I wanted to apply for a permanent position once I graduated. I am now working in IBJI’s Glenview clinic as a full time ATC. Needless to say, I am beyond lucky to have interned for such a wonderful company with such knowledgeable staff members."
- Gregory Liwanag (Northern Illinois University): "I was really fortunate to do my final undergraduate internship for IBJI at Highland Park in the Spring of 2018. My internship experience was more than I could ever ask for as a student prepared to graduate. The unique setting, learning environment, staff, and freedom to be hands on really developed my professional skills as an Athletic Trainer. Being exposed to these learning experiences really opened my eyes to vast opportunities and different roles that and Athletic Trainer can take on in the world of sports medicine. I highly recommend this internship cite for anyone who wants to develop their approaches to rehab and critical thinking."
- Kira Heckathorne (Northern Illinois University): "I had the great opportunity to complete an internship at IBJI in Glenview. It was an amazing experience. I got to work hands on with the patients and create my own rehabilitation plans. I thought that I was going to do a lot of observing but I really got to dive in and get my hands dirty. During my time working at IBJI I also had the chance to work at the Glencoe Grand Prix. I had never worked at a bike race and this event coverage was thrilling and a great learning opportunity. On top of all of that I had phenomenal mentors while working there. The staff provided me with the perfect amount of support and freedom for me to be successful. My internship at IBJI made me feel even more confident and comfortable with my skills as an athletic trainer and I highly recommend that anyone interested in the sports medicine field look into what IBJI has to offer."
- Devin Clemmens (Eastern Illinois University): "This summer I had the opportunity to work at IBJI. IBJI provides comprehensive care offered all in one place: because of this, I was able to grow and experience a vast majority of the sports medicine world… this gave me field experience and more importantly confidence to continue my education as an athletic training student. I am beyond thankful for the experience I have gained at IBJI because I will continue to use the information I have attained throughout my profession as an athletic trainer."
- Phil Duplessy: "I could not have asked for a better experience that would not only better myself professionally, but also as a person. The location is so unique because it consists of a variety of different health care professionals in one place to ensure high quality care of each patient. Each and every staff member was willing and nice enough to make me a part of IBJI from the physical therapists, to personal trainers, to the front desk. I learned more than I expected and would recommend an internship at IBJI to anyone. My rehabilitation, documentation, communication, evaluation, and even business skills have all been sharpened thanks to IBJI. My experience there has exceeded my expectations and I cannot be thankful enough."
- IBJI Intern: "Over the summer, I was very fortunate to intern for the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute in Highland park. The staff there does an amazing job exposing their interns to as much as possible! The facility in Highland park helped me grow in my rehab skills and apply the knowledge I learned in class. Also, I was able to observe surgeries and learn different types of manual therapy."
Key Considerations for Internships
- Eligibility: The majority of NFL teams require that seasonal internship applicants are certified athletic trainers and have either graduated from an accredited undergraduate or graduate Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP).
- Paid vs. Unpaid: Frequently, people inquire about whether positions are paid or unpaid, and if housing and travel arrangements are provided.
- Housing and Travel: Travel arrangements, housing, and compensation will be at the sole discretion of the individual club/organization.
- Commitment: Student interns should be committed to an athletic training profession and be willing and eager to participate in all aspects of program development. The position requires availability for evening hours and possible weekends.
Opportunities in Professional Sports
- MLB: The PBATS program is more comprehensive than that, featuring over 100 possible positions with participating teams in both the major and minor leagues. The dates and durations of the intern positions are dictated by both student and organization need, and is typically negotiated between the parties during the interview process.
- NFL: Internships vary throughout the NFL and typically one to two seasonal internships are available per team. A seasonal intern's role will vary from team to team, but they are typically involved with duties on a daily basis, continually demonstrating the ability to serve as a productive member of the athletic training staff. As seasonal interns progress, they gain more responsibilities relative to field setup and breakdown for practice and game days, taping duties and stretching responsibilities. They may help with rehabilitation protocols, provide support during practice and pack and prepare trunks for away games. Teams rely heavily on summer/training camp interns for coverage of the larger number of players present.
- NHL/AHL: PHATS does not guarantee formal communication between the applicant and club, nor placement with selected clubs. You will have the ability to select up to five clubs between the NHL and AHL. As mentioned previously, not all clubs will take clinical immersion students. If you are seeking clinical experience with a team in a League not listed, you will have the opportunity to designate that team on the application as well.
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