May 08, 2018

SLU Pre-professional AT Student Appreciates Learning from Current Students During Transition to Next Phase of Program

New AT Student Blog Post - Becca McGrail (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

As my third year in the pre-professional phase of SLU’s Athletic Training program comes to an end, I am left with a sense of pride for everything accomplished up until this point, along with feelings of anxiousness for what is to come during the ever-encroaching professional phase starting this summer with Gross Anatomy.

During my junior year, I was given the opportunity to attend the MOATA Conference as well as engage in directed observation hours at multiple locations. Both of these opportunities gave me better incite at what I will one day be doing in my future career as an Athletic Training and the various types of settings there are to work in. One of the most unique experiences I participated in this semester was being able to attend the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships. I had the opportunity to observe our program’s PY students and certified Athletic Trainers from across the country.


Another location I fortunate to be able to have directed observation hours at was John Burroughs School. While there, I got to experience the high influx of athletes coming and going for rehab, injury evaluations, taping, and precautionary care. The head Athletic Trainer, Dean, was very welcoming and insightful with any questions I had about the profession. The PY students at JBS, Danielle (PY1) and Caitlin (PY2), were also very helpful with any inquiries I had about the program. They both told me about their prior experiences up until this point and what their plans are for the future. 

With all of the opportunities and experiences I have been granted by being a student in SLU’s Athletic Training program, I feel that I am going into the professional phase well prepared and excited for whatever my future holds. 

This is one of a series of blog posts written by students entering the professional phase of the SLU AT Program as a part of MAT 3000 - AT Student Development II.

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