Career in Exercise and Health Science

Exercise and Health Science (also referred to as Kinesiology or Exercise Science at some universities) is a field that provides unique career opportunities in the health and fitness field as well as opportunities in the medical field.

What kind of careers are there for Exercise and Health Science majors?

There are a variety of career opportunities available to a student with a degree in Exercise and Health Science.

Physical therapy is a popular career option, and a student interested in this health profession would determine and provide treatment to those who need assistance in restoring maximum movement and function throughout life.

Physician's assistant is another popular option. In this line of work, a student would be licensed to practice medicine under the supervision of a physician. One conducts physical exams, diagnoses and treats illnesses and many of the other tasks a physician does.

Because healthcare is becoming more focused on preventive medicine, health and fitness also is becoming a popular career option. There are a number of other career opportunities in medicine, occupational therapy and public health. All of the previously mentioned careers are in high demand. Predictions for the next 30 years are that they will continue to be in high demand as the need for health care increases with the changing demographics of the population.

What kind of skills do Exercise and Health Science majors use?

Students gain a strong foundation in the sciences when studying Exercise and Health Science. Human Physiology, Human Anatomy, Exercise Physiology and Nutrition are important courses needed to build this foundation.

Depending on what particular area a student pursues, science-related courses outside of Exercise and Health Science, such as Chemistry or Physics, also are needed.

Interpersonal skills are equally as important as a strong science background. All career options for an Exercise and Health Science graduate involve working with people. Sometimes one works with people under very difficult or stressful conditions, so having a positive attitude and a friendly disposition is important.

For those interested in the health and fitness field, motivational skills are needed in order to effectively stress the importance of exercise and nutrition. An internship and some type of certification are also strongly recommended for careers in this area.

For all health care fields strong mathematical and business skills are a plus as well. These skills will allow you to understand the "business side" of health care and come in handy if you assume a management role at some time in your career.

Editorial provided by John Davis, Professor of Exercise and Health Science, and Ellen Doepke, Writer, Marketing and Communications at Alma College