Jobs for the Major
How this major affects a job search
Here's the good news: Kinesiology is a broad field of study that can be applied to a lot of different careers. You'll really get the freedom to decide how you want to apply such a degree, and kinesiology majors go on to become physical education teachers, physical therapists, nutritionists, sports medicine professionals, or if they're in Canada, kinesiologists (lucky ducks). A large majority of kinesiology majors decide to seek graduate degrees, too, which hones (and tones) their focus even further.
Now for the bad news. Kinesiology is a broad field of study that can be applied to a lot of different careers. "Wait a second…isn't this supposed to be the good news?" Well, yes. What we mean is that you have to be a little proactive in the path you decide to take. With a bounty of options, you'll have to make choices; this degree won't just plop you into a job. That said, because the field is so wide, kinesiology majors have a very low rate of unemployment. Pretty much the hardest part of finding a job is pronouncing "kinesiology" correctly.
And don't ask us because we don't know either.
Common Career Fields
Camp Director. If you decide to pursue an educational career path during school but don't necessary jive with the idea of teaching, perhaps a position as a camp director is for you. Though less immediate than other post-graduation careers (you'll have to take more writing classes and beef up that resume with internships), camp directing allows the opportunity to create and facilitate entire programs dedicated to keeping kids' minds and bodies as active as possible. In order to land this gig, you'll definitely want to get some grant-writing experience under your belt.
Chiropractor. Kinesiology majors get really good at figuring out not only how a body moves, but what's keeping a body from moving as well as it could. You'll need to get yourself a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, but once you have that in-hand, you'll be super knowledgeable about the spine and have the dexterity to help victims of car accidents, work injuries, or just general stiffness straighten up and fly right. With a flick of the wrist and well-placed pressure, your patients will be back to body movin' in no time.
Dietitian. A good diet is just as important as a strong back. In fact, it might be the most important aspect of having a strong back. Think of this career as an outside-of-the-gym personal trainer. You'll work with clients and create dietary plans on a personal basis by learning about what different individuals need to make them feel as healthy as they can be.
Personal Trainer. What better way to flex your muscles as a recently graduated kinesiology major than to create exercise routines for those hoping to up their fitness game? You've studied how the body moves, learned how exercise helps the body function, and now you can create routines and workout plans specifically for an individual's fitness needs. And hey, you might even get a little work out yourself. Nice.
Physical Education Teacher. Here's your opportunity to ensure that youthful energy is not wasted on the young. As a PE teacher, you'll have the unique ability to harness kids' energy and structure it, creating an environment that's as educational as it is fun. Think of the satisfaction you'll get from imbuing a new generation with love for activity and exercise (and think of the satisfaction parents will feel at having a tuckered-out kid). If you're teaching at the college level, you may even inspire a new crop of kinesiology students.
Physical Therapist. Treatment therapy, which covers a lot of different aspects of physical therapy, is the most common career path chosen by kinesiology majors. You can choose to specialize in rehabilitation of specific parts or areas of the body (have you ever really looked at someone's hand before?), or you can go into sports medicine and help athletes regain their ability to do a victory dance. You know, the important stuff.
Sports Equipment Consultant. The sports equipment industry is always looking for ways to make their gear perfect for the athlete looking to run faster, jump higher, and throw farther. It's challenging to make gear more efficient while keeping it safe, but as a consultant, you can walk up to the designers and flex your kinesiological knowledge like, "No sweat, y'all—I got this." You'll be the go-to team member that'll help companies design outstanding gear for players.
Current unemployment of the major
2.7%Percentage of majors who get a higher degree after college
79%Stats obtained from this source.