The month of March is one of the most exciting times of year for the Athletic Training profession. National Athletic Training Month (NATM) provides a unique opportunity for the profession to come together, spread awareness, and educate outside stakeholders on the importance of Athletic Trainers (ATs).
If you’re a female AT, March is even more special as it also marks Women’s History Month. To celebrate and bring attention to both NATM and Women’s History Month, we held a Q&A session with the owner of ATvantage LLC, Alisha M. Pennington. Being a woman in a male-dominated industry may pose challenges at times, but it also provides an amazing opportunity to push gender limitations to the side and continue to pave the way for future female ATs. Check out our discussion below and feel free to share this piece, which will hopefully inspire and encourage other women to pursue their dreams regardless of perceived limitations.
Q: What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a woman working in the AT industry?
A: I’m thankful for the women who have come before me and blazed a trail because I’ve benefitted greatly from the work they have done. I can’t think of an obvious scenario that has impacted me personally because I am a female. However, I have been scrutinized because of my looks, which are related to me being a female. My motives and ability to complete my job thoroughly have been questioned because many say “I don’t look like a ‘trainer’” I use that as motivation to change their mind about what an athletic trainer looks & acts like.
Q: If you can share one piece of advice with female ATs, what would it be?
A: Don’t believe in artificial barriers. You can do anything, even if another female hasn’t done it before.
Q: How has being a woman in a male dominated industry impacted your life?
A: The one great pro to being a strong, knowledgable, confident woman in a male dominated industry is that you can pretty easily knock their socks off. Because they have lower expectations, you walk into a room needing to do half as much work. When you’re fully prepared and show them you’re as well equipped as a man would be, you take away any reason they could have for turning you away.
Q: What are 3 things that every female AT should know about working in the AT industry?
A: 1) Your work is just as valuable as the work a male does. 2) If there are particular limitations put in front of you, use them to your advantage. 3) Being vulnerable is a strength, not a weakness.
Q: What has been your biggest success during your career and why?
A: Seeing my company grow has been and continues to be one of my greatest successes. Though I enjoy working individually with teams or athletes, I am able to have a much larger impact on my profession by operating a company. It would be irresponsible and selfish of me to keep the talents that I have to myself or just the few I am able to touch in a single day by working in just a clinical setting.
Q: With your current knowledge and experience, if you could give you twenty year old self a piece of advice what would it be?
A: Keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t question yourself. Everything your’e accomplishing now will lead to something greater.