America is a nation that loves its sports! We constantly watch things like football, basketball, baseball, tennis, softball, volleyball and golf live and on TV. However, there are many things that happen behind the scenes of the sport that keep it going! We all know the coaches, players, fans, referees, camera crews and team owners, but sometimes we forget the most important thing. That thing happens to be athletic trainers. Athletic trainers make sure athletes stay healthy! Athletic trainers ensure that athletes recover from injuries so they can return to play in a timely manner. Athletic trainers also help prevent injuries from occurring. Being an athletic trainer is a job that requires years of education and training, but is ultimately rewarding on both a financial and personal level. Many times I have asked myself why I want to be an athletic trainer. As a child I was always extremely helpful. Whenever I saw someone hurt I always wanted to be the first person to help. It also didn't help that my mother was a doctor who practices internal medicine. I would always see my mom checking people up and prescribing different medications for them to take and I thought it was amazing. I decided I would be a sports doctor! It looked like it would be a lot of fun. As I grew up I realized that being a sports doctor required a lot of hard work! Doctors have to go to school much longer than the average college student, and their classes are extremely tough. I like learning, but I didn't want to go to school for more than 4 years. Then I started looking for alternatives and that's when I came across athletic training! Athletic training was perfect for me! I love sports and athletes......middle of paper......I rent my salary annually. In New Brunswick, New Jersey athletic trainers earn approximately $69,000 per year! They currently employ 230 athletic trainers. In northwestern Oklahoma the annual salary is only $23,000 per year. They currently only have about 60 certified athletic trainers and employees! The demand for athletic trainers is different in different areas. (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes299091.htm) Since athletic training pays quite well, I will be able to live a comfortable lifestyle. My salary will give me the opportunity to live in a nice house. It will also allow me to be able to provide for a family should I have one. I will also earn enough money straight from college. With this money I will be able to afford a nice little apartment to stay in while I finish my education after graduation. (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes299091.htm)