Support for the future
03/03/2023
As an exercise science major, Haley Byrnes gained experience as an athletic training intern for Bluffton's football team.
Preparing for a future in athletic training
Coming to college, Haley Byrnes knew she wasn鈥檛 seeking a traditional, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., office job. After trying out criminal justice and psychology majors, Byrnes, of Worthington, Ohio, found the right fit in exercise science. Now a senior, she is applying to graduate schools to become an athletic trainer.
鈥淚 think I鈥檓 going to love it. I鈥檝e worked with great staff members here who鈥檝e really helped me,鈥 said Byrnes. 鈥淚t鈥檚 fast-paced and something new happens every day, which I love.鈥
Byrnes gained experience in the field during a fall 2022 athletic training internship with Beavers Football. She came to campus early to help with football camp, prepared water and ice before every practice and assisted Kayla Bartlett-Ulrich, head athletic trainer, at every game鈥攆rom wrapping ankles to plugging bloody noses.
鈥淚 felt like I was another athletic trainer,鈥 said Byrnes, who also made valuable connections during the internship. 鈥淓very time we traveled to another school where there was a graduate program, she introduced me to their trainers as a prospective student looking for a home next year. Once you are in the athletic training world, everybody knows each other.鈥
Byrnes is involved on campus as a President鈥檚 Ambassador and Student Senate vice president. She鈥檚 also active on several committees to improve student life on campus. She came to Bluffton seeking a small campus community.
鈥淚 was looking for somewhere that felt homey and where I felt my strengths could be utilized,鈥 said Byrnes.
On campus, she also found a place where she could develop personalized connections with professors.
鈥淲ithout them I don鈥檛 know where I would be today. They鈥檝e provided me with lots of outlets, lots of opportunities and have helped me become who I am today and to gain a voice that I never thought I had.鈥
As she finishes her final semester at Bluffton, Byrnes has some advice for incoming students.
鈥淛ust be open minded and treat everybody with kindness. Everybody is going through stuff and simply smiling at someone can make their day. Bring kindness into the world and be there for one another.鈥
Health, fitness & sport science
In preparation for life after Bluffton, you will be encouraged to obtain professional experience through internships, student teaching or coaching, and to earn CPR and first aid certification.