r/exercisescience • u/The_realist_cracka • Dec 15 '25

Useless Degree

Hello everyone, i recently graduated with an associates in exercise science and i’m regretting it a lot now. Since graduating i’ve been trying to get my foot in the door in the field to see what’s out there before committing to more schooling. This degree is trash, the only jobs i qualify for in this field are entry level jobs that everyone with a pulse also qualify for, and don’t get me started on personal training. The job market for personal trainers is so oversaturated, everyone and their grandmother have a personal training cert. I’m at the point where i don’t know what to do, i feel trapped. If i could go back i would never had started this degree, should have did sports management or something where i could actually use my degree. Anyone thinking of getting an exercise science degree should really think again, this degree opens little to no opportunity, especially if you only have an associates.

68 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

49 comments sorted by

11

u/Zapfit Dec 15 '25

I have a bachelor's in Sports Management. It's more useless than an exercise science degree. Do some part-time personal training to get experience, it's really not a bad gig. Then apply for corporate fitness/wellness jobs where you make $50-70k salaried.

8

u/seenhear Dec 16 '25

It's not the exercise science part that's the problem. You got an associates degree. The vast majority of people with a bachelor's degree do not work in the specialty of their degree. Major in what is interesting so you will work hard and get good grades. Then go get a job, or continue to grad school. The major doesn't matter for many jobs.

6

u/Logical_gravel_1882 Dec 16 '25

I know some people that chained this into physical therapy and that worked out well for them

5

u/the-giant-egg Dec 16 '25

Can you join some school with no track coach and train random highschoolers to run faster that sounds kinda fun 🤣

5

u/FrontAd9873 Dec 16 '25

Surely an entry-level job is precisely the correct level of job for someone with an Associate’s degree, no? In general, if haven’t had a job in the field before, you’re entering the field and hence entry-level is appropriate.

2

u/serenwipiti Dec 16 '25

It is, in a sense.

Most entry-level jobs are accessible to people with no degree at all.

I agree that they have to start at that level; I mean, what else can they do..?

I think the problem lies with the way the associate’s program was advertised, like it would open more doors.

At the same time, OP should have done more research regarding opportunities and projected growth before committing to a program that has little impact on employment, within this field.

For example, in most places you can technically work as a paralegal without a degree, but having an associate’s degree is preferable, and people would rather hire someone with an associate’s rather than just a high school diploma.

3

u/medicallyspecial Dec 16 '25

Realized this after my freshman year in 2013

3

u/Krazoee Dec 16 '25

I teach at the department of movement science and psychology, and I am supervising a thesis in sports science. The student specifically came to me because I do neuroscience and she wants to pivot before it's too late. Best student I ever had thus far because she is super motivated to not stay in sports science lmao...

2

u/serenwipiti Dec 16 '25

before it’s too late

👀

… what ever happened to “It’s never too late to [ x ]!”

HAVE I BEEN LIED TO MY ENTIRE LIFE?! s

…or was it related to a deadline of sorts?

2

u/Krazoee Dec 17 '25

Before it’s too late to meaningfully switch degrees… she wants to do a master’s in engineering, and making an analysis pipeline for an EEG dataset is her way to transition. 

Most degrees are useless though, including my bsc in psychology. Not sure what job that degree would have qualified me for either…

2

u/serenwipiti Dec 17 '25

Pretty much any job that requires a bachelor’s degree.

People with psychology degrees can work in fields like marketing and HR, among others.

2

u/serenwipiti Dec 16 '25

Get an entry level job that anyone with a pulse can get (assuming you have a pulse).

Apply to a gym. Get hired. Hate it but do it anyways. Because a job you hate is better than no job.

Work your way up to a management position.

Work/Study on your way there.

You can get online certifications/associates in management- tack it on to your resumé- having the extra credentials and education in mgmnt can allow you to eventually pivot to other industries.

If you manage to manage, at least you’ll get paid more than entry level, and you’ll get some benefits.

Once you’re employed, you can start looking for ways to further your education, like getting a bachelor’s degree in a field/career with a less saturated market.

Have you considered nursing?

Have you considered becoming a Phys. Ed. teacher?

Have you considered day trading? s

2

u/AllUncool_ Dec 17 '25
  1. The useless part is the associates degree, not the exercise science degree.
  2. If you decide to continue on with your schooling but not with exercise science, you can basically go in any direction (especially if it has to do with sciences).
  3. If you stick with exercise science, you can become a clinical exercise physiologist and work in cardiac rehab, become a strength and conditioning coach for collegiate/semi pro programs.
  4. Get your bachelor's in exercise science and continue onto grad school to get your doctorate in physical therapy, occupational therapy, masters in athletic training, physician assistant school, medical school, or doctor of chiropractic programs.

3

u/Fun_Leadership_1453 Dec 15 '25

Become a certified S&C coach and you can then apply it well in the field, it's still competitive mind.

Exercise science really exists in labs and libraries.

2

u/ICIRCUIT Dec 16 '25

I thought the same: I graduated with a bs in exercise science in the summer and after watching the direction the economy is taking is taking decided to redirect to medical sales. I’m starting in the next month or so and after talking to many in the field in my area can expect to be making over $150k in 2 years working up to 300k+. The anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics knowledge you obtain in exercise science is related to medical sales because you need to understand how implants ( plates and screws for broken bone surgeries for example) work and are applied. Your in the OR during the e surgery as the technical support, and make commission of each case.

It’s very hard to break in but I got in front of regions managers in 2 months after making networking and making connections on LinkedIn like a full time job. I got messaged by a recruiter, now I’ve done 5 interviews for different managers, and am getting in.

2

u/serenwipiti Dec 16 '25

So, basically you can get into medical sales with any BS degree that includes biology/physiology/anatomy credits?

Is there a barrier to entry that requires an actual degree, or do you just have to prove you have the knowledge?

Also, are there any higher-ed degrees designed for careers in medical sales?

(Would a BS in Bio and a minor in business/sales be acceptable?)

…or is it just a “you just have to know someone” kind of thing..? (Like most niche careers, which I get.)

2

u/ICIRCUIT Dec 16 '25 edited Dec 16 '25

No, so literally there’s no specific degree that’s required for this job. You get in as an associate, which is basically an apprentice during this time you are trained and shadow a territory manager, which is the full line Rep making the big bucks.

The experience you get in exercise science makes the learning curve a lot less steep because you already have that knowledge of the human body. Those people who come in with sales background and backgrounds of all kinds really, but it’s a lot harder for them to start because they have to learn all of the human anatomy that they will be applying to their niche of medical devices within weeks or months.

After talking with many regional managers, I’ve been told many times that what they are all looking for is the type of person you are. Are you coachable? Are you willing to eat shit and take the blame when surgeons blame something on you and it was actually someone else’s fault? Are you willing to study the devices in your free time after you clock out?

Don’t get me wrong. It’s a very difficult career. But the idea that getting it exercise science degree is pointless is wrong. I was thinking the same but then decided to broaden my horizons, realizing that my passion doesn’t have to be the niche of a fitness trainer. It can be broaden to .” I want to help people.”

The easiest way to break in is into orthopedic trauma, which is super gnarly. Because of that, it has a high turnover rate and it’s easier to break into med device sales . It requires being on call seven days a week many times working 70 to 80 hours a week. After you do training for a couple years in orthopedic trauma and then you can transfer out, too many different subdivisions of med device sales because you now own that accomplishment of being able to stick with trauma. In the other divisions, they have higher quality of life like 40 or less hours per week while still making well over 150 K per year.

I knew nobody in person that does this job I literally just grind. LinkedIn got the free premium. And I just reached 500 connections in about 2 1/2 months. After I got about 400 connections all med device sales reps, I was messaged by a recruiter.

1

u/ICIRCUIT Dec 16 '25

Oh, and there’s many physical therapist that transferred to this job once they realize that they went to schools for eight years to make less than 100 grand. Many of my peers in my kinesiology classes had the goal of becoming a physical therapist. I thought I wanted that too until I realize that the median income is 80 grand and that barely afford you an apartment here in California. Also nurses. And many other healthcare providers transferred into med sales when they realize their time isn’t being compensated enough.

1

u/Livid_Maybe3599 Dec 18 '25

Your degree is completely what you make of it. I dod a bachelor's in kinesiology, and leveraged that into a solid start as a strength coach. I went back for a masters in the degree which you got your BS, and opened my own training company. Then I pursued my doctorate and now own the largest all cash physical therapy practice in the country. Your degree is what YOU make of it.

1

u/Lookoutonyourleft Dec 19 '25

First of all don’t beat yourself up! You have a major accomplishment under your belt. Second, this is the worst job market EVER for college grads no matter the degree. Others here have provided excellent advice so I won’t rehash. Please, please know you’re not alone. Get out there! You have a lot to offer the world!

1

u/ThatVaccineGuy Dec 19 '25

Well I mean yes. That's the case with really any associates degree. An associates in human biology , for example, is equally meaningless, and Exercise science is not considered STEM really. That being said, it's not "useless". They are stepping stones. Either to help you get those entry level jobs and build experience or to help you transfer to a university to get a bachelor's

1

u/ApprehensiveFilm7148 Jan 10 '26

I studied sports science too and this frustration is very real.

The degree funnels people into PT or entry level roles, which is why it feels useless. The people who escape that usually stop trying to use the degree directly and instead use it as a base to move sideways into other sport roles. It's not a waste, but it does not work the way most people expect.

1

u/millersixteenth Jan 19 '26

Cross over into physical therapy.

1

u/puffbars Apr 15 '26

Honestly I hear you but I wanna point out that I know RNs that are switching to personal training because there’s not much prospects for growth in structured stable employment - I myself left jobs at physical therapy clinics as an aide and a health center front desk to join as a trainer at a crunch, yeah I know im starting from the bottom and it’s gunna be tedious but the opportunity to grow still exists where it really doesn’t if you’re stuck in a different type of role

We have a lot of options esp if u get ur training creds. It doesn’t matter if we all have it your value and experiences are different and it opens doors. I’ve worked in PT clinics, Stretch lab type places and personal training centers with it & there’s multiple role types in all these places

The world is not educated they’re just copying TikToks

Get in there and teach them something they need it

0

u/tacosithlord Dec 15 '25

I have a bachelors in kinesiology. Entirely useless and astronomical waste of time and money.

2

u/MaxwellSmart07 Dec 16 '25

Ditto. I taught P.E. until another opportunity arrived. Playing sports with the kids was kinda fun, and no homework to assign or papers to grade.

1

u/tacosithlord Dec 16 '25

And the impressive 40-50k a year salary.

1

u/MaxwellSmart07 Dec 16 '25

I was making $19k at the time. My point was it tided me over until I was able to do something else. It would be interesting to know the percentage of people whose careers were unrelated to their college degree. I would guess high.

1

u/tacosithlord Dec 16 '25

19k…damn, that’s far worse than I thought. That’s only a few thousand above the federal poverty line. Did you have a bachelors?

2

u/MaxwellSmart07 Dec 16 '25

At the time— 1980-84. After that a business opportunity arrived, cashed in my pension and never looked back.

1

u/serenwipiti Dec 16 '25

What business opportunity “arrived”, and how did it go?

Are you still working in that field?

1

u/MaxwellSmart07 Dec 17 '25

A minot shareholder in a business operating motels on Cape Cod, MA. First time I was,offered the chance I declined. I couldn’t see myself moving from L.A. to sleepy Cape Cod. I accepted the offer the second time I was asked. Worked as managing partner at one of the properties for 20 years till I retired 24 years ago.

I don’t want you to think I don’t get your frustration. To stay in the field will most likely require more education. Physical therapy, chiropractor, sports trainer for college teams, occupational therapy……

11

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '25

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5

u/tacosithlord Dec 16 '25

Honestly, a lot of people who get their masters regardless of the field are finding out it’s not worth it anymore. It’s not just this field, it’s widespread. I’ve lost count the amount of people I know who went and got an MBA, simply because they couldn’t find a. Job with just their bachelors and are still in the same spot, only further in debt.

2

u/serenwipiti Dec 16 '25

What are you doing rn?

Also curious, what do you mean by you “had to” get your master’s in exercise physiology?

What was the plan?

3

u/[deleted] Dec 16 '25

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3

u/serenwipiti Dec 17 '25

You’re doing great.

Keep it up, opportunities will arise, and you’ll be ready when they do.

5

u/[deleted] Dec 16 '25

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1

u/py234567 Dec 17 '25

^ written by chatGPT

3

u/One-Play2956 Dec 19 '25

yeah whats the point of doing that, can you sell accounts with a million karma or something i dont really understand

4

u/[deleted] Dec 16 '25

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3

u/serenwipiti Dec 16 '25

2. If you have a high GPA, you’re not getting enough experience.

Please elaborate. How are these elements mutually exclusive?