Colgate University provides unique employment opportunities for students to explore their interests. Sophomore Josie Rioux found a way to not only gain work experience, but explore her interest in the medical field. Rioux has worked as a sports medicine student assistant since her freshman fall and currently works with the women’s soccer team.
“My main job is to support the athletic trainer in whatever she needs. So before practice, that looks like setting up things [the trainer] needs for [the team] when they play, so water, water bottles and some safety stuff. Then I help her with taping or treatment before practice. And then after practice, it’s the opposite, so cleaning everything up, dumping water and getting ice for players or things they need for post-treatment,” Rioux said.
The role requires a significant time commitment, emphasizing the dedication of Rioux and other student trainers to their role.
“Whenever there is practice, I need to get there 45 minutes before it starts, then stay for the entire practice and then it varies how long I need to stay post practice,” Rioux said.
Now that Rioux has had time to learn and practice various skills, she has been able to expand her position and the tasks she can complete. This is both a testament to the effort Rioux puts into the position and the skill she has within the role.
“Last year, I definitely didn’t do as much as I do this year. It’s really just about how much you have learned. Like this year, I am starting to be able to tape players, and they can go out in practice in the tape I do,” Rioux said.
Students on campus tend to seek out jobs that align with their majors or potential career interests post-grad, both because those jobs are the ones that interest them more and they can offer a helpful glimpse as to what working in the field would look like. This is no different for Rioux.
“I am pre-med, so I wanted to find a job that was in the realm of medicine. And I looked through the jobs on campus, and I saw [sports medicine student assistant] and thought it would be a good fit,” Rioux said.
Being able to pursue a job on campus that aligns with a potential career path is incredibly helpful, as it can allow you to explore your interests or expose you to new ones. Although Josie knew she wanted to work in the medical field after college, there are countless different areas within that. Her work as a sports medicine student assistant has helped hone her interests and opened her eyes to an unexpected potential career path.
“[My job] has definitely shown me I’m interested in sports medicine — a lot more interested than I thought,” Rioux said.
Rioux emphasized her love for her role and all those she gets to interact with because of it.
“Forming connections with the athletes and trainers has been amazing. I love all the trainers I have worked with … It’s a really good job to have, and I really like going to work. It doesn’t feel like work. It’s just really fun,” Rioux said.
