Kinesiology internships shape Exercise Science students' aspirations

From fitness centers, physical therapy offices, strength and conditioning facilities, and more, practicum and internships allow Kinesiology students to participate in engaged learning with a diverse range of individuals and settings.

“The two required practical experiences in the Exercise Science program allows students valuable time to ‘try out’ a future professional path in a low-stakes way,” said Jana Walters, Exercise Science Practicum and Internship Coordinator. “They get to practice workplace essentials such as time-management, communication, and professional dress in addition to learning the day-to-day responsibilities of a given career.”

“So much personal and professional growth happens during these experiences. One outcome is that students can confirm interest in a certain area, or they decide they can rule something out,” said Walters. “Either result is a positive for the students because they can move forward with clarity on their future decision making.”

This summer, several Exercise Science students had exceptional practicum experiences that supported the development of skills and knowledge in Exercise Science. Read on to learn more about their practicum experiences.

Sofia Landivar     Ryan Galapon     Anise Jreige

Sofia Landivar - Strength & Conditioning at Georgetown University

One reason Landivar was initially interested in the internship with Georgetown Strength and Conditioning was its proximity to her family’s home in Alexandria, where she was planning to stay for the summer. After reaching out to the intern director at Georgetown, she was offered an opportunity to work with both the Strength and Conditioning team and Sports Medicine Department.

“I wanted to see both sides of the program and work with both departments, because I thought it would give me a broader understanding of everything,” said Landivar.

The internship provided lots of opportunities for Landivar to observe physical therapists in the Sports Medicine department.

“I learned how to ask a lot of questions so I could learn more,” said Landivar. “I was able to watch what the PT does and what she needs to know in order to help the athlete reduce pain so they can exercise and work out the injury,” said Landivar.

A typical day at the internship for Landivar started by helping the Athletic Training department set up their spaces, then going to Strength and Conditioning to help during runs or workouts. Afterwards, she’d return to Athletic Training to observe and ask questions of the athletic trainers and physical therapists.

Landivar appreciated getting a “big picture” perspective on athlete’s performances through her time with both Strength and Condition and Sports Medicine. She could connect the “small things” they did in the athletic training office coming into play during practices and workouts. “I really understood what was going on,” said Landivar.

“The biggest thing I realized [through this internship] was that I changed the field I want to pursue,” said Landivar. Before the internship, Landivar was planning to become a chiropractor after graduation. “I like manual work,” she said. “I would rather do hands-on work than rehab work assigning exercises. With chiropractic practice, I could work with a client then and there.”

However, Landivar said “I realized I want to work in the sports field,” said Landivar.

“Especially working with pro athletes, which I think is my goal, they’re very focused and determined to heal themselves so that they can get back on the field. I want to work with someone with that sort of ambition and motivation,” said Landivar.

“I think internships are really important,” said Landivar. “It really shows you what that field looks like, and it really tells you if you want to go into that or not, what your workload will look like, what they type of people you’re working with are like.”

Ryan Galapon - MetaFitRX in Richmond

Ryan Galapon did his practicum with Meta Fit Rx in Richmond, a longevity, weight loss and performance lab that offers metabolic equipment testing and health behavior coaching.  

“I got connected through someone I know back home, one of my coaches,” said Galapon. His kickboxing coach knew Ryan was a KIN major and set Galapon up with his contacts at Meta Fit Rx.

“This was two summers before this, so whenever it came time for summer practicum, I knew who to contact,” Galapon said.

Galapon was impressed with “the knowledge they [at Meta Fix Rx] had around exercise science. They were really able to allow me to sift through a lot of the fake information that’s out there when it comes to exercise.”

Meta Fix Rx uses technology and processes Galapon had previously seen in Exercise Science classes at JMU, including DEXA scan machines in the Human Performance Lab. Meta Fix Rx was started by JMU Alum, Melissa Ambrose, and her husband, David Ambrose.

“Melissa is a graduate from the exercise science program here,” said Galapon. “She is a clinical exercise physiologist, and she was one of the reasons it was so amazing there, because she was able to explain practical information and applications of the why behind everything they do.”

“My role starting out was just observing,” said Galapon. “If there was anything I had a question about, I would ask and they would give me an entire lesson.”

“Later on, as I got more comfortable, they would allow me to be helpful by entering client information and running some of the diagnostic equipment,” Galapon said.

“I actually got to watch and help run tests on real people. It was really cool to see that it’s not just a formula and you apply it to real people,” he said.

“One of their big selling points [at Meta Fix Rx] is that they do DEXA scans,” said Galapon. DEXA scans measure total body fat percentage, lean mass weight and bone density weight. “We went over DEXA some in my courses, but with the amount they do, we got to see trends based on habits clients reported, and you could see how it affects their body.”

Although he’s previously considered paths into strength and conditioning and physical therapy, Galapon’s goal after graduation is “to help people’s health,” he said. He is now interested in pursuing firefighting as a career after serving with the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad while at JMU.

Overall, Galapon appreciated his practicum experience for the opportunity to have his practicum at Meta Fit Rx. “I got to cover such a broad portion of the things I learned in class and see the practical applications.”

Anise Jreige - Strength & Conditioning at Georgetown University

Jreige became interested in being an intern with Georgetown Strength and Conditioning through Eric Magrum, Exercise Science professor.  “I was talking to him after one of my classes, and he mentioned that this might be something that I should apply for,” said Jreige. “Last spring I worked with JMU football, so Dr. Magrum thought that working with football at Georgetown would be something in my interest.”

Part of his role as an intern included “setting up equipment, cones, medicine balls” and more.

“We would echo what the coach instructed by giving verbal cues. After the lifts, we would break down the weight room, clean everything up and do a debrief to talk about the lift, explain why we’re doing what we’re doing, what went well and what didn’t,” said Jreige.

Jreige said that Concepts of Strength and Conditioning, a Kinesiology course he took previously, provided a lot of knowledge and hands-on experience that assisted him in being successful in this internship. The labs for the class included lift demonstrations from Professor Magrum.

“It gave me the chance to see what movements are supposed to look like,” said Jreige. “When I got to Georgetown, I could break the movement down, so it was easier for the athletes to understand,” said Jreige.

“With a complicated movement, like a hang clean, lots of stuff is going on and if they were messing up one part, the lift could go awry,” said Jreige. When working with one athlete, he was able to explain the steps with a few tips, and Jreige “saw a lightbulb go off in his head.”

“After the lift, he came to me and said, ‘Hey man, that really helped.’ That made my summer,” Jreige said.

“I want to go into strength and conditioning after I graduate,” said Jreige. “I appreciated this summer experience because it gave me a look at Georgetown, which is a D1 school.” He noted he would also be able to compare this experience with others he had working with JMU football and Bridgewater football.

“Seeing multiple situations and levels and being able to work and be successful at those levels is important for me, because although I don’t know where I’m going to work, having more experience will help me adapt better, whatever the situation,” said Jreige.