My Dream Job by Kianna

My Dream Job by Kianna - February 2019 Scholarship Essay

Being an athletic trainer for Texas Christian University football has always been my dream job because of my love for sports and my urge to help people. I chose Texas Christian University because my family has always supported them. In order for me to become an athletic trainer, I need to earn a sports medicine degree from Midwestern State University.

I have been involved in sports since I was four years old. My sports life started with soccer through my elementary years and moved into select soccer beginning in my middle school years as well as volleyball, basketball, and even football. I also participated in field events for track events such as discus and shot put. I only lasted two games playing football which ended in a broken wrist, and I was not a huge fan of basketball or track. Going into high school, I left select soccer and joined my high school soccer team and volleyball team. Through playing these sports I encountered many injuries. Having my athletic trainer help me through physical therapy and encouraging me to push harder to be able to get back to playing really lead me to make my decision to become an athletic trainer in my future.

Sports is not my only love. I also have a passion for helping people. Going through physical therapy; because of my injuries; and being able to step back on the field was a great experience. I want to help injured athletes recover from their injuries and see their smile and satisfaction of getting back to the game. I also want to encourage them to never give up when they think that they are never going to play again. I first started student athletic training during my junior year. I could only do football because of my soccer schedule. I have always loved football, but being there on the sidelines really enhanced my love for it even more. I started learning how to wrap ankles and wrists, studying stretches for different types of leg and arm injuries, and also signs of certain types of injuries. That is when my interest really grew and I knew that I wanted to pursue sports medicine as my career. My senior year I was able to be involved in all of the sports because I decided not to participate in athletics. I wanted to be sure that I was doing my best in school, and also I needed to have a job so that I could start saving money for college. Participating as the athletic trainer for these new sports exposed me to new injuries that I really did not see in football and allowed me to expand my knowledge about injuries, as well as treatments for them.

I am really passionate about being an athletic trainer. My experiences have helped guide and prepare me to become who I want to be. My devotion and desire to be the best I can be will allow me to pursue that as well.