Experiential Opportunities positions provide qualified students with real-world experience.
At Pitt’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS), the Master of Science in Sports Medicine offers a limited number of Experiential Opportunities positions that combine academic scholarship and professional practice. The positions offer a scholarship or funding support that varies each year. The early application deadline for these competitive positions is in mid-January, well ahead of the regular Sports Medicine admission deadline in mid-March. These invaluable opportunities provide qualified students with real-world experience during the Sports Medicine program, putting them ahead of the game as they work hands-on with local Pittsburgh sports clubs, research labs and community centers.
Sports Medicine Program Director and Associate Professor Mary Murray and Associate Professor Katelyn Allison have, built deep-rooted relationships among their professional networks that carry over to one-of-a-kind, immersive opportunities for the sports medicine students. The positions allow students to work independently in the field---building confidence, expanding skillsets and contributing to a variety of clientele needs.
Jamie Flynn, has been working as the Pitt Club Sport Athletic Trainer for her Experiential Opportunities position
Second-year Sports Medicine graduate student, Jamie Flynn, has been working as the Pitt Club Sport Athletic Trainer for her Experiential Opportunities position. She earned this position by demonstrating an interest and completing her Sports Medicine application by the early January deadline.
“When I was applying to graduate school, I was specifically looking for a scholarship or some kind of integrated position with the program because if I could, right off the bat, start working as an athletic trainer and get clinical experience, that would help me achieve my ultimate goal: working for the U.S. Olympics as part of their sports medicine team. To even apply there, you need at least four or five years of experience.”
Flynn has kept herself busy in the Sports Medicine program as a graduate student and working with the Pitt Club Sports, but her interactions with Pitt sports teams doesn’t end there. Her Experiential Opportunities position and hard work have helped build connections with Pitt athletic trainers in other sports.
“I helped men's varsity soccer over the summer, women’s softball and men’s baseball in the spring. I was able to further network myself throughout the Pitt system and get some great exposure. Sometimes, Pitt Athletics would ask, ‘Would you mind being a stand-in for the Pitt varsity athletics athletic trainer if they need to take a sick day or want a personal break?’ If my hours allowed, I was able to offer my expertise!”
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Read more about Flynn’s Sports Medicine Experiential Opportunities position experience at Pitt in a future blog in early 2023.
Make note to apply early to the Master of Science in Sports Medicine by January 15, 2023, to be considered for an Experiential Opportunities position and build your professional working experience. For more information about the Experiential Opportunities or to see what is available this year, visit our Experiential Opportunities page or reach out to Program Director Mary Murray at mmurray1@pitt.edu.
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Published December 16, 2022