What is the job market like right now for an Exercise Physiologist?
Bachelor’s prepared exercise physiologists are typically hired at consumer fitness centers and corporate centers nation-wide. Corporate Fitness centers for General Electric, Pitney Bowes, Oxford, Priceline, and others are located in Fairfield County as are hundreds of fitness centers. Bachelor’s prepared students with additional clinical experience and master’s Prepared Exercise Physiologists are typically hired at sports medicine clinics, hospital based orthopedic, cardiac, and pulmonary in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation programs. Hospitals in Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, Danbury, Derby, New Haven and others hire exercise physiologists. In summary, the job market is strong for the prepared and focused individual.What is the average salary of a new graduate?
Salaries vary widely due to a number of factors. For example, consumer fitness centers often have commission based compensation, corporate fitness centers often start undergraduates at a lower comparable salary but employees typically are promoted at a faster rate than other work environments and finally, clinical jobs at area hospitals offer the highest salaries and many clinical jobs are “Masters’ preferred”. The range for a new undergraduate is $30,000-$40,000 in Fairfield County. It is always wise to aggressively pursue benefits from potential employers such as matched 401-k plans and tuition reimbursement in addition to health benefits.
What Graduate Education Programs do students pursue?
Physical Therapy, Medicine, Physician Assistant, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Business Administration for Health Care, Public Health, and Exercise Science related graduate programs are the top areas pursued by undergraduates in Exercise Science.
What ratio of Sacred Heart Exercise Science students go onto advanced degrees?
Almost half of Exercise Science Students obtain an advanced degree in the above areas of study. Many students are able to start their careers and attend graduate school simultaneously due to the fact that many graduate programs offer evening courses and many employers offer tuition reimbursement for graduate school. Graduate Assistantships are also offered at many graduate schools.
What does an Exercise Physiologist do?
An exercise physiologist’s typical day will depend on the workplace but the goals are the same for the patients and/or clients under their care. An exercise physiologist assesses the health status, prescribes lifestyle intervention strategies, measures outcomes indicating progress, and collaborates with other health care professionals to improve the health status of the individual via holistic approach. The holistic approach to health requires that an Exercise Physiologist be able to assess and assist with many aspects of lifestyle modification which include exercise, nutrition, and perceived stress. Collaboration with and referral to other health care providers is common for optimal results and a continuum of care.