My Journey to Becoming an Athletic Trainer

Author: Alix Corwin
Posted on February 23, 2022

At the end of my second year, I decided to apply for the job of athletic trainer (AT) for one of the varsity sports teams here at MtA. I wasn’t sure if it was going to go anywhere, but it sounded like a fun job, and I figured, why not go for it?

About 2 weeks later, not only had I been hired for one of the positions, but I’d been assigned to the football team. When I found out about that, I was excited for about 30 seconds, before a feeling of absolute panic settled over me. I (along with 3 others) was going to be an AT for 90 guys… 90 guys who essentially all needed taping or treatment help of some point, and 90 guys who would be relying on us for help before, during and after practices and games. Don’t get me wrong, I was super excited about the opportunity, but I was also more terrified than I’d ever been in my entire life.  

I didn’t think that I was going to start before the fall, but when spring training camp started for the team, I was told I could come and shadow one of the trainers for a practice. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but when I walked into the training clinic, I was greeted with absolute CHAOS. Guys and tape everywhere, and it was so loud I had to yell over the noise to try and find the person I was looking for. After that practice day, I almost considered quitting – it had truly been one of the most overwhelming and intimidating experiences of my life.

But then it was August! And the time had come for me to start as an AT for real. Summer training camp was both a blessing and a curse – it was a week and a half of nothing but football, which gave me such a good introduction to the world of being an AT and gave me the chance to learn so much! But summer training camp always results in injuries… the athletes are getting used to being back and training so much, and they’re doing drills and moves they haven’t done in a couple months! That means that it’s also a great time for ATs to learn injury protocol, and how to help an athlete with rehab.

Time flew by, and before I knew it it was the last game of the season. We’d dealt with broken bones, torn ligaments, cuts, bruises, concussions, and so much more, but I’d loved every single second of it. I’d grown to love the boys I was working with and had learned so much in the previous couple months. Being an AT is at times super stressful and high pressure, but it’s all worth it in the end. If you’ve ever had any reservations about becoming an AT… this is your sign to do it! I PROMISE… you won’t regret it.