Freaking out about college plans!

S

spicypumpkin

0
Warning- Rant/Vent ahead:

So, I'm at a community college right now. I'm working on getting my general ed requirements out of the way. I want to go into personal training, and they also have an associates degree program there for personal training. I'm basically trying to figure out how I'm going to do both. I'm very confused. I know I want to transfer to a university to get a bachelor's degree, but I'm stressing out and worrying that it will take too long to do the GE, the AS and the BS. I don't want to be in college for 8 years. I only took 13 units this semester, so I'm thinking of cranking it up a notch next semester. I also need to talk to a counselor. I need to figure out how to talk to a counselor. I'm very confused right now.

So I just need some advice for life planning I guess.

Der, I know you are a certified personal trainer. How did you do it? Is my plan too difficult?

I'm going to try to come up with my schedule tonight and not worry about AS stuff, just GE. Then I'm going to make an appointment with a counselor.
 
Doesnt the associates in PT include general education courses?
 
I have done countless hours researching careers before I decided what I wanted to go into. I was once interested into becoming a C-PT/RD combo. However, I have decided against that for a number of reasons.

I spent countless hours reading into personal trainers(among MANY other careers), talking with tens of them, and researching earnings and job out look. After all that, I would not suggest it.

I would not suggest you invest your future into becoming a C-PT. Do it on the side, do it while your in college, just don't do it for a career.


U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics^
Most athletic trainers work in full-time positions, and typically receive benefits. The salary of an athletic trainer depends on experience and job responsibilities, and varies by job setting. Median annual earnings of athletic trainers were $33,940 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $27,140 and $42,380. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,770, while the top 10 percent earned more than $53,760. Also, many employers pay for some of the continuing education required of ATCs, although the amount covered varies from employer to employer.
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Its not amazing cash. Its not academically challenging. It's not a field that is truly "needed".

It may sound "fun". But, It's just not "sound". Especially, in a world who's economic stability is not quite as solid as we like to hope.
 
Yea seriously, personal training is not exactly a career that provides financial security, especially after so many years of college.
 
Trevor M. said:
I have done countless hours researching careers before I decided what I wanted to go into. I was once interested into becoming a C-PT/RD combo. However, I have decided against that for a number of reasons.

I spent countless hours reading into personal trainers(among MANY other careers), talking with tens of them, and researching earnings and job out look. After all that, I would not suggest it.

I would not suggest you invest your future into becoming a C-PT. Do it on the side, do it while your in college, just don't do it for a career.


U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics^

Its not amazing cash. Its not academically challenging. It's not a field that is truly "needed".

It may sound "fun". But, It's just not "sound". Especially, in a world who's economic stability is not quite as solid as we like to hope.
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I'd like to think there's more to a job than money. If it were all about the money I'd go into real estate, medicine or law. I would not be happy in any of those careers though. I've weighed my options, go into a high paying job and be miserable or do a job I like and get average pay. Personal training seems like something I want to do because I like helping people and I like the fitness atmosphere. Why not combine the two? Also those figures were probably pulled form those employed in places like 24 hour fitness. Those are great places to start and earn experience, but they're basically a stepping stone to the next step which is establishing your own business. With a good knowledge of business management and being in the right place at the right time, one can create a successful business

I don't see myself sticking to one job. That sounds boring. I would not want to be a full time personal trainer. I currently teach guitar, and make $40 and hour doing it (not bad for a 17 year old). I also want to get a teaching credential and possibly teach PE part time. I don't want one career, I want many. I also don't intend on being single for a long time. I will have a second income to fall back on in times of need.
 
I'd like to think there's more to a job than money.
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I'm not basing that post on "money only". Notice
Its not academically challenging. It's not a field that is truly "needed".
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Do a job you love. Just be sure you understand the job first. I'm just being a realist. Personal training ain't reliable.

Now, have you looked into physical therapy? I know a number of PT(PT does not mean personal trainer) who do personal training on the side.
Also those figures were probably pulled form those employed in places like 24 hour fitness.
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Their national averages for all. The BLS is trustworthy. Besides, I know of three other national salary rankings and all show about the same salary for C-PT. Their very accurate.


I agree, love the job first, get paid second. Although, when it comes to feeding the family and ensuring they(and you) have everything they need/want. It is important.
I don't know if you have ever lived "paycheck to paycheck". But, it ain't fun.

Of course, If salary isn't important to you than I won't bother mentioning it again.
 
I know I want to transfer to a university to get a bachelor's degree,
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You don't need one to be a C-PT.

, I'm at a community college right now. I'm working on getting my general ed requirements out of the way. I want to go into personal training, and they also have an associates degree program
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I've looked at a couple of c-pt AS degrees. They were complete crap. The information was outdated and very "basic" from the course outline and reading I was supplied to review it.

I can suggest you some exercise phy's books with better information than an entire AS program can offer you.
 
once i get my HSC, what is the most suggested career to look into in the fitness industry...i am interested in personal training as well or a sport science teacher at high school maybe. I really need to learn how to do punctuation proper tho:mad:
 
Keep in mind that those were "averages". I am far form average. I will do whatever I have to do to get what I want. It is possible to make over 100K a year doing personal training. But, is that my number one priority? No.

Trevor, I know you're trying to be a realist, and I commend you for that. But look at the top people in any career. They didn't get there by being "realists". They pushed the limits of what they thought was possible. With enough work and determination, one can make whatever they want happen. This is coming from someone who has struggled with what they want to do for years. I've looked in to several career paths, and this seems like my best option.

Here's why,

It's in an atmosphere I like

I get to help people

I get flexible hours, and I can do it while I'm in school getting my bachelors degree

In the future I can move away from the employers and work on my own business

It has decent pay at entry levels and great potential for higher pay in the future.

Oh and the bachelors degree, that's for looks. Same with the masters degree that I plan to get someday. More degrees = better reputation in the industry.
 
Getting your IGETC is next to useless.

Use assist.org to coordinate the classes you need to take for the required major.

If you try to get your IGETC you're going to be stuck in the CC for three to four years, minimum. Even using assist to coordinate my schedule, I'll be in CC for three years, if I don't get accepted to any schools I want for Fall 08.

And I'm the guy who took CC classes in HS to get the credits out of the way. I've been doing this CC **** for one and a half years out of HS and I've got a junior standing at the end of this semester.
 
LeiYunFat said:
Getting your IGETC is next to useless.

Use assist.org to coordinate the classes you need to take for the required major.

If you try to get your IGETC you're going to be stuck in the CC for three to four years, minimum. Even using assist to coordinate my schedule, I'll be in CC for three years, if I don't get accepted to any schools I want for Fall 08.

And I'm the guy who took CC classes in HS to get the credits out of the way. I've been doing this CC **** for one and a half years out of HS and I've got a junior standing at the end of this semester.
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Right now, I'm just trying to get what I need to transfer, I'm thinking of abandoning the whole AS degree. Transferring, in a perfect world, should take 2 years. But that means taking 15 units each semester of only required courses plus doing a bunch of summer stuff. I'm shooting for 2.5 years for the transfer.


I just finished my schedule for next semester. 17 units total.

I'm going to take

Weight training: 1 unit (does not meet any requirement)

Oil and Acrylic Painting: 3 units (does meet a requirement)

Persuasion and critical thinking: 3 units (does meet a requirement)

Short Story Writing: 3 units (does meet a requirement)

Human Biology: 4 units (does meet a requirement)

Human sexuality: 3 units (does not meet any requirement)


I'm taking the PE class because it's cheaper than a gym membership and I'm taking the Human Sexuality class because I need some kind of entertaining class to keep me from going crazy.

I'm freaking out about biology, but I think I'll be able to handle it. Another thing, PE will start at 8:00 am. I'm NOT a morning person. I'll be able to handle that though. It was the only time slot that really worked.

So this semester, my first, I started off with 13 units. I'm going to see how the 17 unit schedule goes. It starts January 14th. That's not too far away.
 
Be careful about going over 15 hours. You can run into a lot of stress depending on your level of classes. I remember 1 semester I had chemistry, algebra, zoology, and American history=15 hours and I wanted to shoot myself.

I'm not sure what you're stressing out about with your AS. Your AS will be all your general ed classes and a few of your degree-specific classes which then you transfer into your 3rd year at a university. Doing your AS should equal about 64 hours, which is about half of what is required for a BS or BA. You then transfer to a university and finish your last two years=4 years. Now if you're taking classes like human sexuality taht doesn't count, then don't expect to graduate in 4 years.

If you're looking into personal training and you want to get a BA or BS, you might follow a kinesiology or exercise science degree. Then you can always go into athletic training by following up with the ATC program and also taking your CSCS exam. Then you can do athletic training and personal training on the side for extra cash.

Just so you know, it took me 8 years to graduate with a BAEd with 198 credit hours under my belt. This is what happens when you take A LOT of extra classes that don't apply to your degree. Or perhaps it's because I changed majors four times during my college career.
 
To Evo- Thanks for the advice. I guess I'm just confused about how the whole thing works. I'm going to talk to a counselor sometime next week, or at least get an appointment with one.

To matt- I want to transfer to a four year University probably San Francisco State or Sonoma State.


I realize that I don't need a degree to be a personal trainer. I just need the certification. Well, I want the degree, and I'm not going to put my plans on hold because of school. I can start the Personal Training while I'm in school so I have some job experience once I get out.
 
Trevor, I know you're trying to be a realist, and I commend you for that. But look at the top people in any career. They didn't get there by being "realists". They pushed the limits of what they thought was possible. With enough work and determination, one can make whatever they want happen. This is coming from someone who has struggled with what they want to do for years. I've looked in to several career paths, and this seems like my best option.
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You and I are somewhat alike. We both know what we like and want and are willing to work towards that goal.

Like you, I have been looking into careers for quite some time. Spending at least an hour or more a day researching them. If Personal Training is what you feel is "calling you" and with the attitude you seem to have. I'm sure you can easily strive to be the best of the pack. I'm not saying "don't do it". However, I'm saying have something to fall back on.

Anyway, I wish you the best in whatever you decide to do.
 
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