Careers in Exercise Science

Learn more about actual career paths students from Ohio State took with an Exercise Science degree.

Find out more about the exercise science degree options from Ohio State.

Student jobs and internships

  • Athletic Club of Columbus – Life Guard
  • Battelle Institute – Wellness Program Intern
  • Employers’ Association – Wellness Coordinator
  • Health Fitness Corporation – Health Fitness Instructor
  • Greenswell – Intern
  • Health Solutions – Health Screening Technician
  • Healthy Body and Mind LLC – Intern
  • Nike, Inc. – Running Brand Marketing Intern
  • Ohio Health – Exercise Physiologist and Cardiac Rehabilitation
  • Orthopedic One – Intern
  • Ohio State Athletics – Strength and Conditioning Intern, Sports Performance Intern
  • Ohio State Camp Recky – Discovery Camp Counselor
  • Ohio State Crane Sports Medicine Physical Therapy – Student Assistant
  • Ohio State LiFE Sports Summer Camp – Health and Fitness Recreational Leader
  • Ohio State Rec Sports - Balanced Buckeye Program Assistant, Sport Shop Supervisor, Welcome Center Supervisor, Crew Chief, Fitness Instructor
  • Ohio State Wexner Medical Center – Exercise Physiologist Intern
  • PickFit – Fitness Instructor
  • Ross Heart Hospital – Intern
  • Second Sole – Specialty Retail Sales Associate
  • System of Strength – Trainer, Sports Performance Area
  • The Human Form – Intern

Jobs within one year of graduating

  • The Human Form – Trainer
  • Ohio State Rec Sports – Outdoor Facility Assistant, Group Fitness Instructor
  • Ashland Inc. Medical Affairs – Dublin Fitness Facility Group Instructor
  • University of Texas Housing and Food Service – Wellness Program Coordinator
  • Abbott Nutrition – Consumer Relations and Product Specialist
  • Ohio State Rec Sports – Group Fitness Instructor
  • Ohio State Wexner Medical Center – Patient Care Associate
  • Nike – Marketing Assistant, PACE

Professional positions: 3-5 years post-graduation

  • Abbott Nutrition – Clinical Research Associate
  • Balanced Yoga Studio – Yoga Instructor
  • Yoga on High – Yoga Instructor
  • Ohio State Your Plan for your Health – Benefits and Communications Specialist
  • Mount Carmel Health System – Staff RN
  • Tartan Fields Golf Club – Member Relations Director
  • Case Western Reserve University – Sports Information Intern

Professions with an advanced degree

  • Central Ohio Primary Care – Exercise Physiologist
  • Rogue Fitness– International Distribution Manager
  • HealthFitness – Injury Prevention Professional, Injury Prevention Coordinator, Department Placement Coordinator
  • Indiana University Health Center– Dietitian
  • Kaplan University– Professor
  • The Ohio State University – Director, Dietetic Internship Program
  • The Ohio State University Total Health and Wellness Clinic – Registered Dietitian
  • LA Fitness – Group Fitness Instructor
  • Get Happy, LLC. – Health and Wellness Coach
  • Move You Mind – Group Trainer and Personal Trainer
  • National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians – Data Scientist
  • Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Research Associate, Clinical Research Project Manager
  • OhioHealth – Exercise Physiologist
  • University of Chicago – Athletic Facilities and Community Relations Manager
  • The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center – Neurologic Physical Therapist
  • The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, James Cancer Center – Staff Training and Development Coordinator
  • Virginia Commonwealth University – Student Physical Therapist

Types of certifications

  • American Council on Exercise – ACE Personal Trainer
  • American College of Sports Medicine – Health Fitness Specialist
  • American Red Cross – CPR
  • Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) – AFAA Group Fitness Certification
  • Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative – Biomedical Research
  • USA Weightlifting – Sport Performance Coach
  • CrossFit – Level 1 Certificate Holder
  • Yoga Alliance – Yoga Instructor
  • American College of Sports Medicine – Personal Trainer
  • Mad Dogg Athletics – Spinning Instructor
  • American Heart Association – Adult and Child Heartsaver First Aid, CPR, and AED program

Professions other than exercise science

  • Weastec, Inc. – Sales Representative
  • University of Chicago – Residence Hall Manager
  • The Columbus Dispatch – Internet Systems Administrator
  • Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Senior Systems Analyst
  • Personal Trainer

Pay, job outlook and work environment

Data for exercise science professions are available at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

How to improve your chances to land a career in exercise science

  • Build a LinkedIn profile to 100 percent
  • Conduct research with a faculty mentor
  • Join a professional association
  • Lead a related student organization
  • Master computer application skills
  • Minor in business, nutrition, global public health
  • Plan a successful event for a campus organization
  • Read career periodicals for trends and legislative issues
  • Work at a medical facility, health non-profit, fitness center
  • Volunteer!