Exercise Sports Science Program

Job Shadow Experience Summary

Job Experience 1: Laura Zeller- Clinical Exercise Physiologist. UW Health Sports Medicine Center

A.) I had the chance to engage with the patients of Laura Zeller and really get to know them. While the patients were working out or doing an activity of some sort I got the opportunity to read their blood pressure, heart rate, and assist them walking around from one station to the next.

B.) My overall impression of this job shadow was very beneficial for me. I had the chance to learn something that was completely new to me. I found that Laura really likes to work individually with patient’s one on one and try to better the patients with prescribed exercises after suffering from some kind of cardiac problem. In my future career I would also like to work with individuals to try and improve an area that they are weak in or to just simply get back to a healthy state of living.

C.) I am somewhat interested in pursuing this as a career after graduation. It is something that I have always found interesting in dealing with such clients. In terms of exercise, I find it fascinating prescribing people with certain exercises that will benefit there health and improve their living of life.

Job Experience 2: Judy Hilgers- Pediatric Fitness Clinic

A.) I partook in helping Judy with readings and scanning’s of children that would indicate if they were obese, had high blood pressure or low bone marrow.

B.) I thought the experience was definitely interesting because I’ve never worked with children before so it was a different setting in regards to the clients. I thought that the amount of work Judy does preparing these kids and getting the correct treatment and right physical activity is astounding.

C.) I am interested in pursuing this as a career after graduation just because of the differentiation of age. I like working with kids and seeing as I’m not that old yet I can somewhat relate to some of these children’s needs. I think it would be a fun yet challenging position that I would take upon but I can see myself working with kids and enjoying it.

Job Experience 3: Scott Neuenfeld- Fitness Supervisor

A.) I helped Scott check some readings on client’s blood pressure, pulse and physical activity state being of where they were today.

B.) Overall, I thought that this profession tended to be a little on the slow side depending on how many clients you had or what someone who had this profession would be doing on any given week. I also liked the one on one connection between clients but at the same time Scott was in charge of the gym in the clinic.

C.) I can’t really see myself pursuing this career after graduation. I don’t really mind for the clinical setting. Scott seemed to be in charge of too many things while working at this clinic.

Job Experience 4: Brian Kavanaugh- Sports Director- YMCA West Madison

A.) I was involved in helping Brian order some team uniforms along with setting up a basketball tournament. I also worked with a couple clients of Brian’s in their daily routine of exercise. Lastly, I helped referee a basketball game with Brian.

B.) My overall experience of this job shadow was beneficial for me because I had the opportunity to know what a sports director does on a daily basis. I liked the setting but I didn’t like to see all the managerial items Brian had to do.

C.) I am not entirely interested in pursuing a career like this after graduation. That reason being because of the setting and what the job of a sports director entails. I’d like to work independently with clients or for a local gym.