Career Compass: Kinesiology

As a kinesiology student in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, you will learn about the science of human movement. As Canadians are faced with higher incidences of disease and other health problems linked to sedentary living, learning to take better care of our bodies gives us a better chance of preventing illness and disease and the need for medical intervention. The faculty has many opportunities for you to explore, with two programs of study:

1. Kinesiology: this program is designed for students interested in careers in the expanding field of health, chronic disease prevention, physical activity promotion, community wellness, and sport and exercise science.
2. Athletic Therapy: this program is designed to assist students in acquiring the body of knowledge pertaining to the prevention, immediate care and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal orthopedic injuries.

Skills you will gain by studying KINESIOLOGY

• The ability to apply the principles of exercise science to assess human movement, performance and function.
• The ability to develop and deliver fitness and rehabilitation programs for diverse populations such as cardiac patients and clients with musculoskeletal injuries.
• The ability to conduct workplace assessments and make recommendations to reduce the risk of employee injury.
• The ability to effectively communicate: verbally through discussions and class presentations, and in writing by preparing reports and papers.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
BIOL 1410 and BIOL 1412, KPER 1200 and KPER 1500, PSYC 1200, STAT 1000, plus additional required courses for your program. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for complete list of program requirements.

Athletic Therapy: All courses listed above plus HNSC 1210

To do this year:

1. Kinesiology or athletic therapy—what’s right for you? An academic advisor and career consultant can help you decide.
2. If you need academic support, visit the Academic Learning Centre for workshops or to meet with a learning skills instructor.

CAREER TIPS

Start planning your career:

1. Meet with a career consultant to generate career ideas based on your interests, values, personality and skills.
2. Research occupations that match your skills and interests.
3. Set up a UM Connect account to view job postings and register for workshops and events.
4. Explore your Experience Record, an official record of university-approved activities.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Link experiences to your career interests. Options include:

1. Student groups including the Physical Education, Recreation and Kinesiology Student Council, the Athletic Student Therapists Association and UMSU.
2. Volunteer for UM Orientation events to help new students to campus while gaining experience or volunteer for a research study.
3. Student work opportunities including Work-Study, STEP Services or Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP).
4. Experiential education opportunities such as UM Community Volunteers, student-led PHETE conference and the Student Leadership Development Program.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Considering international opportunities? Visit the International Centre website to learn about international opportunities for UM students.

Explore communities and cultures you want to work with: Visit the Canadian Sport Centre or learn about local agencies via 211 Manitoba.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
KPER 2120, KPER 2170, KPER 2200, KPER 2320, KPER 2330, KPER 2350, KPER 2540 and KPER 2700, plus additional required courses for your program. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for complete list of program requirements.

To do this year:

1. Know the requirements for your degree. Meet with an academic advisor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management to help you plan your program.
2. Consider taking the Option in Aging to expand your area of study.

CAREER TIPS

Make professional connections:

1. Join the Career Mentor Program to learn from professionals.
2. Attend career fairs to connect with employers.
3. Become a Student Affiliate with Manitoba Kinesiologists Association, the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, the Manitoba Athletic Therapists Association or Canadian Athletic Therapists Association.
4. Attend seminars and workshops organized by the faculty and PERKS Council.

Market your skills: Develop your resumé and cover letter and refine your interview skills.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Explore student research opportunities: Apply for an Undergraduate Research Award or NSERC grant and inquire about research assistant positions.

Gain practical experience by volunteering: Check out Sport Manitoba, OHEYS and the Wellness Institute.

Obtain certificates employers may require, including: CSEP-CPT, NCCP, Sport First Responder and First Aid/CPR.

Athletic Therapy Students: Participate in clinic and field shadowing opportunities.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Develop global career skills and expand intercultural learning: Consider an international student exchange or a travel study program, Canadian Sport Institute internship, a spring or summer Community Engaged Learning experience, My World Abroad or SWAP for a "working holiday."

Staying local? Work towards receiving NCCP certification by taking summer institute courses: PHED 3522 and PHED 3532. Check out one of the local service-learning programs. Consider learning a new language and culture through the Language Partner Volunteer Program.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
KPER 3100, KPER 3460, KPER 3470, KIN 3510 and KPER 3512, plus additional required courses for your program. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for complete list of program requirements.

Athletic Therapy: Please refer to Academic Calendar for complete list of course requirements.

To do this year:

1. Meet with an academic advisor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management for program approval.
2. Apply for the Supervised Fieldwork Experience and attend the Fieldwork Experience Tradeshow (if applicable).

CAREER TIPS

Investigate your career options:

1. Look at sample job postings to ensure you have the qualifications upon graduation.
2. Develop employability and essential skills sought by employers.
3. Explore supports available to entrepreneurs for business planning including the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship, World Trade Centre Winnipeg, and the Manitoba Government.
4. Create a LinkedIn profile to network with professionals.

Consider continuing your studies: Check out the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Extended Education or professional programs at UM.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Continue or start research: Participate in the Undergraduate Research Poster Competition.

Check out student job opportunities with: Active Living Centre, the City of Winnipeg and Mini U.

Search for job opportunities online: Check out U SPORTS, Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP), Sport Information Resource Centre,  Manitoba Athletic Therapists Association (MATA),  Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA), Sport Manitoba and other job posting sites.

Use your networks and connections: Inquire about unadvertised job openings (the "hidden job market").

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Did you travel abroad? Become an exchange mentor for the International Student Mentorship Program, join the exchange student community at the University of Manitoba or write an article about your experience.

Participate in the multicultural opportunities on campus and off campus such as Intercultural Leaders Program, Leaf Rapids: Northern Community Engagement, or take part in the Graduation Pow Wow.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
KPER 4020 and KPER 4100, plus additional required courses for your program. Please refer to Academic Calendar for complete list of course requirements.

Athletic Therapy: Please refer to Academic Calendar for complete list of course requirements.

To do this year:

1. Obtain current First Aid and CPR certification to meet degree exit requirement.
2. Confirm eligibility to graduate with an academic advisor, and declare intent to graduate in Aurora.
3. Prepare for the CATA National Certification Exam (Athletic Therapy Students).

CAREER TIPS

Start job search 9 months in advance: Contact Career Services to refine your job search and self-marketing strategies. You can visit the office up to 6 months after graduation.

If you are continuing on to graduate school: Finalize your application materials and take required tests. Use the awards database to search for funding and awards to help finance your continuing education. Contact your department to find out how their awards deadlines are advertised.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Ensure you have references in place: Ask your professor for a reference or a letter of recommendation if you're applying to a professional program.

Assess your resumé: Identify any gaps in experience and fill them through volunteering, work placements or internships such as the Post-Secondary Recruitment Program.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Prepare to work in a multicultural environment: Visit Canada's National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation on campus. Get access to LinkedIn Learning through the Winnipeg Public Library and take courses to develop your cross-cultural intelligence.

Sample jobs with an undergraduate degree and related experience

• Athletic Therapist
• Case Manager
• Certified Personal Trainer
• Certified Exercise Physiologist
• Exercise Therapist 
• Fitness Consultant
• Fitness Program Manager
• Fitness & Lifestyle Appraiser
• Health Promotions Coordinator
• Healthy Aging Facilitator
• Clinical Kinesiologist
• Occupational Testing Coordinator
• Rehabilitation Consultant
• Research Assistant
• Return to Work Coordinator
• Sports Program Director
• Strength and Conditioning Specialist 
• Workers’ Compensation Adjuster
• Workplace Health and Safety Officer
• Workplace Wellness Coordinator

Options requiring other education

• Biomedical Engineer
• Cardiac Rehab Specialist
• Chiropractor
• Ergonomist
• High Performance Coach
• Occupational Therapist
• Pathologist 
• Personal Injury Lawyer
• Physiotherapist
• Prosthetist/Orthotist
• Sport Biomechanist
• Sport Medicine Physician
• Sport Nutritionist
• Sport Psychologist

Industries like business, government, health and fitness and sport would value a kinesiology degree in combination with the employability skills that are highly sought after by employers. These include:*

• Oral and written communication
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Teamwork
• Numeracy and data use
• Digital technology
• Industry specific knowledge
• Continuous learning

Attain skills through your classroom education and take advantage of experiential education opportunities.

*Information has been adapted from Employability Skills 2000⁺ and Workplace Education Manitoba – Essential Skills.