What Is the Difference Between An Athlete Development Specialist And An Athletic Trainer?
There are various types of job titles in athletic coaching and training. Perhaps one of the most well-known job titles is an athletic trainer, and then there are athlete development specialists. While both lie in the sphere of sports management career, the ground realities are different.
But what exactly do these professionals do? What are their differences and similarities? And what sort of career path and education do they require? Let’s find out.
Job Descriptions of Athlete Development Specialist vs Athletic Trainer
Be it athletic development or training, there are unique and key features of each category. And the key aspects require experts to manage and execute strategies for them.
However, both the athletic trainer and development specialist have very different job responsibilities. So, let’s analyze the job descriptions and responsibilities of the two professions:
Athlete Development Specialist
An athlete development specialist focuses on the personal and professional development of an athlete. Their job description might also depend on particular athletes or organizations. However, here are some of the athletic development specialist’s responsibilities:
- Designing and implementing training regimens;
- Create a training program for physical and mental progression;
- Create and develop athletic/team plans;
- Assist and help trainers with athletes’ skill enhancement;
- And build psychological resilience among athletes/teams.
Then, an athlete development specialist may have additional responsibilities depending on the athletes they work with or the organizations they work for.
Athletic Trainer
Athletic trainers deal with the physical aspect of training the athletes. These people are usually coaches and scouts who help athletes through specific areas needing improvement. But, their responsibilities might also include:
- Assess the athlete’s physical condition and performance;
- Implement rehabilitation programs;
- Collaborate with healthcare professionals;
- Create specific training programs according to athletes;
- And educate on injury prevention.
An athletic trainer will rely mostly on the data provided by the analytics team, as well as the requirements of the particular athlete.
What are the career paths of Athletic Trainers vs Athlete Development Specialists?
The scope of the career paths of athletic trainer vs athlete development specialist, like their trainees, are dependent on the specialty they want to pursue. Let’s review the kind of career progressions these roles have.
Athlete Development Specialist Career Path
Athletic development specialist jobs are usually taken up by people who have at least a bachelor’s degree in sports science or any related field. Then, their path leads them to become interns or assistants in the same capacity.
Here are some of the key phases/points toward becoming a full-time athletic development specialist:
- A bachelor’s degree in athletic development specialist;
- Additional training and certificates/licensing to work as an athletic development specialist;
- Working as an internet or associate/assistant to earn said license/certification;
- Then, they work their way up the ladder in any organizational hierarchy.
This depends on the personal work ethic as well as the organization one works in. However, this is how it usually goes for athletic development specialists, from a degree to a full-time job.
Athletic Trainer Career Progression
Athletic trainers aren’t always professionals who were formally educated, as these are also people who have prior experience in the industry. However, today’s requirement would be a bachelor’s degree in athletic training or kinesiology or a degree of a similar ilk.
Here’s how the journey goes nowadays:
- Begins with a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in athletic training or kinesiology;
- Entry-level jobs and internships in training or any athletic capacity;
- Pursuing a master’s degree while in an entry-level position (optional but recommended);
- And pursuing positions like head athletic director, rehabilitation expert, or team/athletic coach.
Their job titles can be personal trainer, fitness trainer, or sports medicine director. However, it depends entirely on the person/student pursuing the degree.
Where Do Athlete Development Specialists and Athletic Trainers Work?
Athletic development specialists and trainers work in different settings. They could be working independently, or an organization could employ them. It all comes down to personal preference and persuasion.
However, here are some of the most common places where athletic development specialists and trainers work:
- Colleges and universities;
- Fitness centers and athletic programs;
- Healthcare and training facilities;
- Employed by professional sports teams;
- Employed by national or international sports stars;
- And in rehabilitation centers and performance centers.
These are some of the most common places where athletic trainers and development specialists work. However, some developed trainers and development specialists work as freelancers and free agents, too.
How to Become an Athlete Development Specialist?
An athletic development specialist focuses on various areas of improvement for athletes of teams. As mentioned before, they could be working with a team or an individual sportsman/woman. However, there are protocols, and they require the hopeful to be properly educated and trained.
And this education should also grant them the skills and qualifications necessary to perform as an athletic development specialist properly. So, they need to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in sports management that specializes in that particular area.
Here are some of the best degree options available today for this:
Degrees:
- Limestone University – BS in Health Sciences – Pre-Athletic Training
- Maryville University – Online Bachelor’s in Sports Management (Sports Data Analytics Concentration)
- University of Florida – Online MS in Sport Management Athletic Development Specialization
Then, the athlete development specialist also needs to earn a proper certification or license through an accredited department. Here are three suggested licenses and certificates to pursue a career in this field:
Certificates/License:
- Athlete Development Specialist Certificate – University of Florida
Then, the path is easy after earning these qualifications, as the candidate can easily apply to any sports organization or fitness industry.
What Are the Requirements for Becoming an Athletic Trainer?
The answer to the question “how to become an athletic trainer” is easier compared to an athletic development specialist. This job has more to do with physicality, as we talked about in what athletic trainers do.
So, athletic trainer education also needs to focus on that, and there are specific degrees. However, if you’re wondering how long it takes to become an athletic trainer, then you can expect a 4-year degree and then a few months of internship and certification programs.
So, a total of 4 years followed by a few months of certification and licensing exams. Therefore, here are some of the best athletic trainer programs available in the nation today:
Degrees:
- Kansas State University – Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training and Rehabilitation Sciences
- University of Central Florida – Master’s in Athletic Training
- University of Louisville – Online BS in Sport Administration
- Hardin-Simmons University – Online Master of Athletic Training
Then, you’d need the following certificates to work as an athletic trainer or in a similar profession. These certifications are provided by accredited departments and universities. But here are the two best licenses to work as an athletic trainer anywhere in the United States:
Certificates:
- National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) – Athletic Trainer Certificate
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation – New Athletic Trainer License
Thus, it’ll prepare you for the necessities, challenges, and requirements of the athletic training field.
Which Should You Choose?
Now, the factor that might help you decide which one you should go for is the athletic development specialist’s salary against the athletic trainer’s salary. Athletic trainers earn anything from $54,000 to $59,000. Whereas athletic development specialist earns a minimum wage of $81,000 per year.
However, your choice should depend on which way you want to go instead of how much you might earn. Your interest and your priority should align with the choice as both can be equally rewarding careers. So, let your interests influence your choice.
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