What do you do if your Functional Training background opens up new career paths?

Assessing your skills is a crucial first step when your functional training background opens up new career avenues. Reflect on how your expertise in body mechanics, program design, and client assessment could be leveraged in roles beyond the gym or personal training environment. For example, the ability to motivate and educate might be equally valuable in developing corporate wellness programs or in educational roles focusing on health and physical education. This introspection will help you understand the breadth of your capabilities and how they can be adapted to new challenges and environments, laying a strong foundation for career growth.

1. Explore options: Research career paths where your training background fits. 2. Highlight skills: Emphasize transferable skills like communication and problem-solving. 3. Network: Connect with professionals and attend industry events. 4. Customize resume: Tailor your resume for each career path. 5. Get educated: Consider further education or certifications. 6. Stay open: Be flexible and embrace new opportunities.

Networking is an invaluable strategy as you navigate towards new professional horizons. Actively seek connections within industries or fields that interest you. Industry conferences, professional associations, and online forums offer fertile ground for meeting experts and peers who can offer insights, advice, and potentially even job leads. These interactions can not only broaden your understanding of your chosen field but also open doors to opportunities that might not be publicly advertised.

It’s okay to explore other areas outside of your daily training routine. Know your limitations, but never be afraid to look into new experiences. New experiences may lead to greater networking opportunities. It may lead you into different areas you were not aware you were passionate about. These areas might involve sports sciences, coaching developmental athletes in their actual sport, maybe pursuing a medical career. It does not mean you have to give up your training career entirely. You can always go back. Or maybe perform it on the side. It is important to always challenge yourself because it may also enhance your current position.

Gaining direct experience in your new field of interest is often essential for a smooth transition. Look for opportunities to volunteer, shadow, or work part-time in roles that align with your career goals. This hands-on experience will not only enrich your resume but also give you a clearer picture of whether this new path fulfills your professional aspirations. Additionally, demonstrating your willingness to learn and apply your skills in new contexts can make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

Emphasizing the importance of gaining experience bears repeating, as it is a critical component of a successful career change. Engaging in practical experiences related to your new career path allows you to bridge the gap between your functional training background and the requirements of your desired role. It also offers the chance to showcase your versatility and commitment to growth, qualities highly valued in any profession.

Takes risks when you feel ready - and if you have a partner be nice enough to let them know too. Risks may mean going from working for a club to becoming independently contracted. They may mean applying for medical school. Maybe you want to switch into management of a gym instead of training. Whatever it may be, be sure to look into the change you want to make before quitting your day job. See what prerequisites are needed for applying to your new position. Do you have these covered? How long would they take to get if you do not have them yet? Preparation is a critical step in this area. Maybe you do not have the answers yet, but you have a team that can get you there. That’s okay. But no matter what believe in yourself.

Embracing the possibility of taking calculated risks is integral to navigating a career change. Venturing into a new field can seem daunting, but your experience in functional training has likely equipped you with a resilience and determination that will serve you well in this process. Be open to opportunities that challenge you and require stepping out of your comfort zone, as these are often the ones that lead to significant professional and personal development.