Daemen University student Jessica Baun is the recipient of an athletic training scholarship from the National Research and Education Foundation Scholarship. In addition, she is the recent winner of the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association Quiz Bowl.

Baun is set to represent the National Athletic Trainers’ Association District 2 in the National Student Quiz Bowl in June. She said the prestigious scholarship is both “an honor and a blessing.” The scholarship helps contribute to her educational funds. Moreover, it also helps her continue to grow her professional network within the AT field.

A national distinction, the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine sponsors the scholarship. Also, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association offers it. The scholarship goes to a professional master’s student with a cumulative overall GPA of at least 3.2 (based on a 4.0 scale).

With all of Baun’s success, we asked her to share some of the top benefits of studying athletic training.

Combining two passions: sports and medicine

Athletic trainers have the opportunity to work in a field they feel truly passionate about. Not only do they provide medical assistance and help change lives, they also support people to excel and follow their dreams along their athletic career.

“I have always loved sports and medicine, and athletic training gives me an opportunity to work in a setting with both,” Baun said. “I think athletic training offers a unique field to provide care for many athletes and active individuals.”

Many career options

Athletic trainers work everywhere from colleges and universities, to professional sports, the military and the performing arts. Opportunities are present in industrial and commercial settings. Therefore, there are plenty of career options.

Baun said she hopes to work as an athletic trainer in a collegiate setting after graduation. Additionally, she highly recommends athletic training to anyone interested in providing care to any active population.

“AT is a very diverse field of healthcare. It offers a wide variety of work settings,” she shared.

Rewarding feeling of guiding patients from injury to recovery

Athletic trainers are often present when their patients experience injury during the game or practice. They can respond immediately. Therefore, they begin the critical step-by-step process of their recovery.

“As an athletic trainer, you have a unique ability to be involved in the care of your patients from start to finish,” Baun said.

Having seen what happened first-hand provides athletic trainers with valuable insight on the injury. Therefore, it helps them respond and treat in the best way possible.

 

For more information on studying the field of athletic training and its benefits, check out Daemen’s Athletic Training program.