March's Alumni Spotlight

Happy National Athletic Training Month everyone! What a great month it is to promote our profession and come together as advocates for our athletes and patients! NATA convention registration also just opened up so be sure to register for that and be on the lookout for the date/location of the USC Alumni night. Speaking of alumni; this month we would like to highlight Nick Thomas, graduating class of 2009! Nick is originally from Healdsburg, CA and did his undergrad at the University of Nevada,  Las Vegas. Not only does he have his AT credentials, but also maintains his CES, PES, and CAFS. Nick's journey as an AT has been very diverse and we are excited to learn more about it! Pictured above is Nick with former Gamecock player Emanuel Cook, Jasper Brinkley, and Jarrod Cook. 

What was your experience like in graduate school and what were your professional goals when graduating? I was assigned football for the Fall 2007 season and Spring 2008 along with Intramural sports for Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 season. During the summer of 2008 Dr. Toni Torres-McGehee helped me, along with 2 others, get summer internships with the Arizona Cardinals. My research was detecting MRSA in collegiate football players and examining if there was a colonization correlation in the equipment (helmets and shoulder pads). At the time of graduation my goals were to first of all find a job, but my ideal job was working -in some capacity- in the NFL.    

What was your experience like getting a job after graduate school and what was your first job? My work experience after grad school was very interesting. At first it seemed easy to find a job as I was offered a position as a seasonal intern with the Arizona Cardinals. When I moved out to AZ we got into training camp and I was told that the position was just going to be a summer position. Luckily, the staff then helped me find the United Football League (UFL) position as an assistant AT with the Las Vegas team. During the off-season through I had difficulty finding work so I would move back home and work construction and apply for jobs but had significant difficulty getting interviews. This happened for the next 3 years until I was networking at NATA in 2012 where I ran into the head AT for the Cardinals and told him about my situation and he then told his PT, Mr. Fischer of my situation. Right after this encounter I received a call for a job by Mr. Fischer (of Fischer Institute of Physical Therapy and Performance) all while I was sitting on a back hoe digging a foundation for a winery back in Northern CA. I still work at Fischer Institute and prior to this I spent some time at Sonoma State University with their Lacrosse team.  

In what ways do you feel the masters program prepared you for the future, or helped you become a confident clinician? Between networking and the clinical experience I gained, I was very well prepared as I graduated from USC. I also learned how to think and problem solve.  

What are your professional goals at this point in your career?
I want to continue to progress in my ability to work with patients and athletes in their progression towards return-to-activity, or -play. Whether it is through continuing education or new skills learned or old skills that I am reintroduced to.  

What advice would you give a newly graduated masters student looking for their first professional AT position? As a newly graduated masters student the most important thing is to get your foot in the door and get experience that will lead you in the career path of where you want to go. It may not be the job you want, but you have to ask yourself: will this set me up for my future? Have a plan. As with me, things may change along the way so adjust your route or your goal if necessary. But be open to change. Network as much as you can.  

Is there an AT that you would identify as being influential in your career thus far?I have been lucky to be influenced at every stage of my journey by successful and professional individuals. I had an amazing AT at my community college, Bryon Craighead that allowed me to work and learn and was probably sick of me spending so much time with him! My program director at UNLV, Mack Rubely; my clinical instructors Todd Hamburg and Mary Rock; Toni Torres-McGehee; Danny Cobble at USC; Tom Reed for the Arizona Cardinals; and my current boss Brett Fischer. All of these people have taken a chance and put their names out there for me and helped me get to where I am now. I consider all of these people, and many more, influential when I look at any success that I have in our profession. I am a big proponent that everybody that you meet in life can have a positive effect on you in some way if you can learn and listen to what they have to teach you.  

Last but not least! Do you have a favorite memory of your time as a Gamecock?
It is hard to decide of one great memory that I have from my time at USC. Our GA group was so close there are so many memories of us together. The amount of support and guidance that I received from the staff in my growth towards being a confident clinician is something that stands out. Also, beating a top 5 ranked Kentucky team on a Thursday night game, which raised ourselves into the top 10 in the country, that was a special atmosphere. It is so hard to pick just one!

Thank you Nick for answering our questions and being so real with us! We wish you the best in your future endeavors! Here is a link to check out the Fischer Institute of Physical Therapy and Performance where Nick works.
-GSCATA Alumni Committee