167. Sticking to Your Values with Athletic Trainer Andrea Kovalsky

167. Sticking to Your Values with Athletic Trainer Andrea Kovalsky

Introducing Andrea Kovalsky

Today I’m talking to athletic trainer Andrea Kovalsky about sticking to your values.

Her Career Journey

Andrea earned her BS in Athletic Training from Northern Illinois University and went on to earn her teaching license in Health and Physical Education from North Central College. After working as both an AT and a para-educator, Andrea decided to get her Masters in Athletic Training from Illinois State University. She became an AT serving multiple high schools in the Chicagoland area before taking her current role as the Head Athletic Trainer at Granite City High School, in the St. Louis Metro East area. Andrea is currently working towards her Doctorate in Athletic Training at Florida International University and serves on the board of the Illinois Athletic Trainers Association. 

Sticking to Your Values

When Andrea was early in her career, she dreamt of working as both a teacher and an athletic trainer. When she finally got to try out that lifestyle, however, she found herself drawn more to the AT side of her work and made the decision to step away, even though it felt like she was close to her dream job. Andrea has shown that a fulfilling career comes from sticking to your values, not a single job title.

Inside this episode:

  • Thanks to early exposure, Andrea knew since high school that she wanted to be an athletic trainer. Through her experiences and educational journey, she’s found the exact right niche for her.
  • She needed to learn how to be selfish at times and act in her best interest at work. As an AT who usually works behind the scenes, Andrea found this skill more difficult than it otherwise may have been.
  • In her current role, Andreas is the only AT in a district that’s been big on tradition for decades. In order to create change and make sure everyone is following best practices, she relies on research and guidelines to make her case.
  • Andrea’s found that the part of her career that she’s the most passionate about isn’t even a clinical component. She’s found that she’s most passionate about helping people solve problems in their careers and does this both in her local community but also through her work with the Illinois Athletic Trainers Association.

Resources

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