This question is about Degree's in College relating to the information we discuss on

[Iwan2bsolid2]

a daily basis. Sup my friends? I need some mentoring. First off, I don't care for school that much. I get very bored sitting in class learning about things that don't interest me. Here's my situation, I'm 24- still have not gotten my GE out of the way cause I'm a slacker and I don't know what the hell I want to do, or major in. I do great for the first 4 weeks of the semester, but then get sick of school, because of what starts off as interesting starts to drag on and on and in many times, seems to go into rediculous detail that is of no use in the general world. Anyways what I'm getting at is... that I have been interested in fitness, diet, nutrition, physical activity, wieght training, steroids and how all of the above react with the body. I can seriously sit here for hours reading up on all the great info on this board and not get bored. I surround myself in this lifestyle and will forever so why not make a career out of it? This is where I need your help. What degree's are out there that I can study what I have mentioned above, and topics we discuss on this bored? I know there are degree's in exercise physiology, nutrition, but where can you go with these? If I could find a certain area that intrested me, maybe I would be more motivated in school, and get the hell out. Thanks for your help.

SOLID

[BASK8KACE]

My friend specialized in sports medicine and is now involved heavily with several sports teams from college to professional (including two US olympic teams--I think powerlifting and wrestling). He gets to travel constantly (when he wants to) and knows all about what we're talking about on this board and more. He's only 33 years old.

I'm not sure how far you want to go with your education--his position required medical school.

If you enjoy this, then YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY WORK YOUR BUTT OFF TO ESTABLISH A CAREER IN FITNESS. Money will never replace the ability to wake up at the beginning of a work week, looking forward to getting to your job.

If you have any more questions, post them or PM me. I can call my friend and have him answer anything related to getting into sports medicine and related areas.

Best of luck--work hard.

[Iwan2bsolid2]

I don't know if I could handle med school at this time. Who know I might change it to a schooloholic, but presently I'm looking to get a degree and get out. Although that does sound like a very interesting field your friend is in, how cool would it be to work with profesional athletes? I may check that out, how many years of school would that consist of? For some reason I'm thinking 8-10- and that's gnarly. Thanks for you help bro...much appreciated.

SOLID

[tt333]

You could be a trainer. Thats what im doing while im in college. Im doing sports nutrition for my major though. And hopefully opening my own gym one day. Take care

[partyboynyc]

i just had this discussion today.ok we're off---------------->

1.group instructor
2.athletic trainer
3. biomechanist
4.cardiopulmonary specialist
5. dietitian/ sports nutrition
6.fitness director
7.exercise physiologist
8. medical physician
9 occupational physiologist
10.personal trainer
11. physical / occupational therapist
12. strength and conditioning coach

those ae some solid options to choose from. possibly consider a degree in exercise science/ physiology. even sports management

[Iwan2bsolid2]

Originally posted by partyboynyc
i just had this discussion today.ok we're off---------------->

thanks partyboy...let's see...

1.group instructor- no
2.athletic trainer-yeah
3. biomechanist-not sure what entails-but sounds interesting
4.cardiopulmonary specialist- guessing this one deals with the heart- interesting
5. dietitian/ sports nutrition- umm..yeah for althletes not ederly and obese people
6.fitness director- not sure- but sounds like group instructor
7.exercise physiologist- aka- personal trainer- nah- not for a living.
8. medical physician-requires too much school
9 occupational physiologist- haven't a clue to what they do
10.personal trainer- nah...for movie stars- sure.
11. physical / occupational therapist- is this number 9 backwords?
12. strength and conditioning coach- sounds good.

those ae some solid options to choose from. possibly consider a degree in exercise science/ physiology. even sports management

[jeffylyte]

if you went the nerdy route you could go medicinal chemistry. trust me good jobs await you at merck and pfizer. just think dicover the newest horny pill!

med school aint that bad. my bro just went to medical school when he was 30. first two years is classwork, but after that its mainly clinical. of course at the hospital he was at, the #1 thing he saw was syphillus!

[5minsforfighting]

A few of my teamates are getting degrees in Corporate Fitness .. basically they study everything from dieting to how the body works etc etc ...and most of them plan on graduating and becoming personal trainers ... might wanna look to see if some school in your area have these degrees ...

[TNT]

Let's go back to your original message for a moment, Iwan2bsolid2. What you have described about your attitude regarding school is classically symptomatic of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). No big whoop - most people with ADD are very bright, they simply get bored with the traditional education model or with subjects that are not interesting or relevant to them. They lose interest by mid-semester, can't sit still or stay awake in class, do not test well, and lose interest in things that do not interest them.

There's bad news and good news. The bad news is that any bachelor's degree has "distribution requirements" - a minimum number of required credits in each of the liberal arts areas. Those areas are humanities (including written skills), math and natural sciences (which includes theory-based courses in computer science), and the social sciences. For a B.A. degree, usually the requirement is 12 in each of the three broad areas, plus 18 additional credits in any one or more of the areas (for a total of 54 liberal arts credits). The average degree requires 33 credits for the major and 27 or so credits in free electives (meaning anything, including my personal favorite course from the U. of California at Berkeley, The Films of Keanu Reeves). In other words, for any degree you'll have to take some courses that, frankly, won't turn you on.

The good news is that there are many options for getting college credit. In other words, who ever said you actually have to take classes in the first place? Some of the alternatives include testing out (credit by exam), online and correspondence courses, credit for life experience (also known as portfolio credit), and independent studies (guided or non-guided).

Check your local library to see if they have a copy of John & Mariah Bear's book Bear's Guide to Earning College Degrees Nontraditionally. This is the "bible" of nontraditional education methods which are recognized by most major colleges and universities. Remember that the most important criterion is that any courses you choose (or degree programs you pursue) should be at regionally accredited colleges or universities, meaning a school that is accredited by one of the six regional associations approved by the U.S. Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education Accreditation.

Unfortunately, today you need a degree to do almost anything professional, including jobs in athletics and fitness. In fact, the American College of Sports Medicine certification for a personal trainer even requires, at minimum, a bachelor's degree. Granted, you may have the skills or abilities to do thee things without a degree, but the bottom line is that when you pursue a position, you'll be going up against people who do have a degree. And if you don't have one, you'll be the one who loses out. That's reality.

Meanwhile, take some time to explore and set up some goals and objectives, then adjust your educational strategy to meet that goal. (In other words, systemize your approach.) Once you have the motivation and the method, it becomes a lot easier.

[Iwan2bsolid2]

excellent post TNT- very informative. Mabey I do have ADD. Is there treatment for that? Now that I think about what you said about loosing interest in things that don't interest me, I have a hard time holding a conversation with people cause I start thinking about other things.

About the distribution requirements, or GE, I'm almost done, I have a couple more classes to take. I just need to get them over with and then I will be able to transfer. I need to find a job that I have a pasion for, I know that is what everyone is either doing or looking for as well, but I know I have a passion for this area...the area of health and fitness- I just need to find the right field or career to pursue.

[TNT]

Originally posted by Iwan2bsolid2
excellent post TNT- very informative. Mabey I do have ADD. Is there treatment for that? Now that I think about what you said about loosing interest in things that don't interest me, I have a hard time holding a conversation with people cause I start thinking about other things.

Last year, there were a couple of fairly extensive threads on ADD here on the board. You can find them by doing a search on "Attention Deficit Disorder" (including the quotation marks).

As it turns out, there are quite a few ADD'ers on the board (including me). Incidentally, if I had to sit through college classes that didn't interest me, I never would have made it through. Fortunately, I was able to include alternative methods, and ended up with three accredited degrees in less than six years. (Some will understand how I did it - the term for it is hyperfocus, and it can be mastered by ADD'ers.)

You can get a quick background on adult ADD at this link. Yes, there is a medical treatment - usually Ritalin or Adderall - although I admit that I'm not in the pro-medication crowd when it comes to adult ADD. (There is quite a bit of division between the pro-med and anti-med crowds, with a wide diversity of opinion.)

[Iwan2bsolid2]

thanks TNT. after looking at that I feel I don't have ADD or mabey have mild ADD since some of the indications were right on and other's weren't even close. Then again I might just be lazy I don't know, I do know however when sitting in certain classes it is really hard to stay attentive the whole time- to keep my mind focused and absorbing the information, while other's keep me interested and it doesn't take effort at all to stay attentive. I don't know where I'm going with this - the ADD's kicken in...but thanks for your help.

[Twisted_Steele]

Pharmacology, that is what all of the shit we discuss is. Major in pharmacology if your school has it.

[Iwan2bsolid2]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Twisted_Steele
Pharmacology, that is what all of the shit we discuss is. Major in pharmacology if your school has it. [/QUOTE


is this being a pharmacist? that would be interesting. what type of schooling do you need for this?

same with endocrinology anyone know how long of schooling?

[Vegas Kid]

Look man, I don't think you have ADD. Many people use that as an excuse and it seems that it's more in people's minds than an actual condition. You just need to find something that interests you. Maybe you should check out a tech school and get your associates degree in some type of exercise science if that's what interests you. But don't think for one second that you won't have to study your ass off for whatever degree you pursue. It's easier to study when you give a shit about what you're reading. Suck it up, go to school, and then live the rest of your life being happy with your job.

Ever thought about being a H.S PE teacher? I've always wanted to, but I'm after the money.