Exercise Science Career Guide

Explore Options: A Menu of Major-Specific Experiences and Sampling of Related Career Paths

Academic Resources

Explore our Exercise Science academic resources, designed to support your academic aspirations.
Curriculum Guide

Exercise Science Program

CLAS Advising Center

What Can I Do With This Major? (External Resource)

person running on treadmill

Feeling like you don't know what to do with all of this great information? We highly encourage to make an appointment with your academic advisor and career advisor. Another great starting point is the Self-Guided Career Exploration Tool.

Career Resources

Unlock career potential in Exercise Science! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.

Career Assessment - PathwayU

Jobs via Handshake

Exercise Science Career Information

Career Communities

Menu of Experiences

Sample Exercise Science Internship Sites

Internships provide a way for you to get hands-on, supervised experience in the world of work. You are able to apply the concepts you are learning in the classroom to a work environment.

Exercise Science Internships

General Internship Information

Join A Student Organization

Get involved with a student organization related to your major. Student orgs are a great way to get connected and explore career options!

  • GVSU Exercise Science Club
  • Anatomy Club
  • Pre-Med Club
  • Pre-PT Club
  • Pre-OT Club
  • Pre-PA Club

Student Organizations

Relevant Courses and Certificates for Building Skills

Developing the relevant skills that employers seek is an essential component of a student's education. GVSU students should consider strategic elective courses and certificates to pair with their major in order to gain additional skills.

Electives to Consider

Community Service Opportunities

Seek volunteer opportunities related to the field you're exploring as a way of testing out future careers.

GVSU Civic Engagement keeps a list of current volunteer opportunities updated on their website. There are ongoing opportunities on a continuous basis, as well as on-campus and off-campus opportunities posted as they become available.

Civic Engagement

Exercise Science Study Abroad Options

Through study abroad you’ll also set yourself apart from other job-seekers and graduate-school applicants in an increasingly competitive market.

 

Exercise Science Study Abroad

Explore Internships Abroad

 

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Pursuing academic, creative, and research experiences and projects outside the classroom is an excellent way to learn new skills and build a body of work in your field.

Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship

Getting Started

Fellowship Opportunities

Fellowships are high-impact, potentially life-changing opportunities for students and alumni, opening doors to careers in public service, advanced academic study, foreign service, international teaching, and other career and service pathways into meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Frederik Meijer Office of Fellowships

Finding a Fellowship


Exercise Science Career Spotlights

Megan Philipp '14 Spotlight

Megan Philipp '14

Some of the greatest memories at GVSU include spend long nights with friends studying when the new library opened my last year(2013-2014).

Aaron Poirier '11 & '14 Spotlight

Aaron Poirier '11 & '14

One of my favorite Grand Valley memories is moving into the dorms during freshmen year, meeting random strangers who have become lifelong friends.

Alexis Gerard '19 Spotlight

Alexis Gerard '19

One of my favorite Grand Valley memories is being involved in dance troupe while in undergrad. Being able to choreograph and lead such a wonderful organization helped me build close friendships and is where I found my place at GV.

View More Exercise Science

Where Alumni Have Landed

  • Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist – Spectrum Health
  • Exercise Specialist – Bronson Hospital
  • Corporate Wellness Coordinator – Farmer’s Insurance
  • Case Manager/Exercise Physiologist – Great Lakes Physical Therapy
  • Clinical Protocol Lead – Livongo Health, Wellness, and Fitness
  • Strength and Conditioning Coach – Elite Performance and Fitness
  • Patient Care Coordinator – Mary Free Bed Hospital
  • Personal Trainer – Family Fitness
  • Wellness Account Representative – OnSite Wellness LLC
  • Aquatic Programming Manager – Northview Public Schools
  • Wellbeing Navigator – Steelcase
  • Adjunct Faculty – Grand Rapids Community College
  • Wellness Coach – S. Abraham and Sons, Inc.
  • OnSite Manager – McCahill Group
  • Exercise Rehabilitation Research Coordinator – University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Community Education Coordinator – iChiro Clinics
  • Corporate Wellness Account Manager and Social Media Specialist – OnSite Wellness
  • Account Sales Manager – Red Bull Distribution Company

Attend Events

Career Community - Science and Research

GVSU Fall 2026 Career and Internship Fair

October 13, 2026 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

The Fall Career & Internship Fair is an excellent place to kick off your job or internship search, or to begin networking with organizations looking to hire Grand Valley students and alumni of...

Graduate School Fair 2026

October 21, 2026 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Explore your future at the annual GVSU Graduate School Fair hosted by the GVSU Career Center on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 12pm - 2pm in the Henry Hall Atrium on the Allendale...

State of Michigan Information Session & Networking Event

October 28, 2026 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Did you know the State of Michigan is the largest employer in the state? And did you know that applying for a position with the State of Michigan can look a little different from a typical job application? Join...

Community, Connections, and Careers in Northern Michigan

October 29, 2026 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Connect with leading employers from the greater Traverse City area to explore internships, entry-level positions, and career opportunities across a variety of industries. Learn what makes Northern...

Careers in a Lab

November 16, 2026 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Join us to explore part-time and full-time job opportunities in the Lab Sciences field! This event provides students the chance to hear from various employers in the Lab Sciences industry. You'll...

View More Career Community - Science and Research

science and research career community

Consider joining the Science and Research Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!


Beyond Undergraduate: Graduate or Professional Programs

Students with an exercise science degree may continue on to a graduate program.  Here are some examples of programs students have pursued:

  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physician Assistant
  • Clinical Dietetics
  • Public Health
  • Sports Medicine
  • Biomechanics
  • Sports Physiology
  • Nutrition

Discover More

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Career Center Resources

Looking for other career resources? The Career Center Resources page contains resources related to careers, resumes, internships, job search, interviewing, networking, and more.  




Page last modified October 13, 2025