Can you go far as a PT without a degree?

[industree]

I'm currently pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice, however I may want to try being a PT (or something related since I'm fascinated by bodybuilding) out of college. I can always go back. Even though I hear you rarely return to college once you're out. But I was wondering how great the difference is when you do and don't have a degree. Any kind of input is helpful!

[Jack_Lupino]

of course you can.

hell, a lot of them don't even have a certification...

[industree]

Thanks. That's a little reassuring. I am fortunate enough to have my parents paying for college so I can be successful. However I am unsure if CJ is the way I want to go. Just wondering if I should double major or something of the like.

[MT1979]

of course you can.

hell, a lot of them don't even have a certification...

Not true. Not all that I know of have a degree, but all are certified. Most liability insurance companies won't issue coverage if you're not certified.

[industree]

Not true. Not all that I know of have a degree, but all are certified. Most liability insurance companies won't issue coverage if you're not certified.

Are certifications similar to a degree in the field? Does a degree make much of a difference?

[BSCSCS]

Are certifications similar to a degree in the field? Does a degree make much of a difference?

A degree in ES makes a difference when you want to get into management. It can be a good selling tool as a PT, and at the very least make you knowledgeable to a certain degree. Most trainers with degrees feel that they are an invaluable tool. A LOT of trainers without degrees think that they don't mean chit. Do degrees make you a better trainer? In most cases I think yes. Do they make you more money? Not by default. You have to develope your skills as a salesman and marketer to have any success degree or not.

[Sicshift]

I'm currently pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice, however I may want to try being a PT (or something related since I'm fascinated by bodybuilding) out of college. I can always go back. Even though I hear you rarely return to college once you're out. But I was wondering how great the difference is when you do and don't have a degree. Any kind of input is helpful!

I don't have a degree but a ton of Certs and worked hard at it. I was one of the top trainers in my city. It really doesn't matter at all.

My personal thing about personal training was that it was good for my 20's and early 30's even but I wanted to make more money. Few trainers make over 100k a year. I used personal training as a stepping stone because I could make good money, make my own schedule for pursuing whatever I wanted to do etc.

There are plenty of people that are fine doing it for their careers though. More than naught I'd say.

But yeah, I never once had a problem not having a degree.

[LatinoMusculito]

The richest people on earth are those that are least qualified to do anything really, they just have a passion for making things happen!

[kserajuddin]

I'm currently pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice, however I may want to try being a PT (or something related since I'm fascinated by bodybuilding) out of college. I can always go back. Even though I hear you rarely return to college once you're out. But I was wondering how great the difference is when you do and don't have a degree. Any kind of input is helpful!

You can be a good trainer without a degree and I was making a great living without one (although I went back and finished it up).

But I think a degree makes you aim higher and gives you the feeling you're entitled to more, even if you work for yourself. It may be totally subconscious, but this is what I've observed with other entrepreneurs I know and with myself. Most of the top ones have higher degrees, even though they matter very little in their chose fields -

[trulyhuge1]

Bro, check your pm's.....trust me.

TH

I'm currently pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice, however I may want to try being a PT (or something related since I'm fascinated by bodybuilding) out of college. I can always go back. Even though I hear you rarely return to college once you're out. But I was wondering how great the difference is when you do and don't have a degree. Any kind of input is helpful!

[jamesbondc]

I'm currently pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice, however I may want to try being a PT (or something related since I'm fascinated by bodybuilding) out of college. I can always go back. Even though I hear you rarely return to college once you're out. But I was wondering how great the difference is when you do and don't have a degree. Any kind of input is helpful!

Dude take it from a guy who will have bad credit from now on because I went to university for 4 yrs to get Exercise Science degree called Health Fitness Specialist. I graduated about a year ago and most gyms tell me me degree don't mean $hit they would rather hire some trainer with cheap cert and years of experience or high school meathead.

I mean really you might just learn a few fancy words for the muscles but really all you are learning is DO CURL = BIG BICEP.

I am overqualified to be hired at fast food restaurant and too qualified to get welfare. I can't even make my student loan payments. Do your parents a favor and finish the CJ degree at least you can become a rookie prison guard at the least. Everyone who lifts a dumbell at the gym thinks they are the personal trainer and sad part is if the idiot manager is the friend he'll hire even unqualified person to train at the gym.

DON'T MAKE THE MISTAKE I MADE and now nobody will give me a home loan down the road without a co signer.