My CSC StoryFeaturing Jen Hollis ’23
Growing up, my siblings and I were very active, and we played sports our whole lives. I’ve always loved medicine and assisting others in need. After looking through my options, I knew athletic training is what I wanted to do, and I’ve loved it ever since I came to Colby-Sawyer. Athletic training is more than dealing with orthopedic injuries; it also gives you a look into mental health, nutrition, general medicine and so much more.
I’ve had several clinical rotations over my past few years here at CSC, including Colby-Sawyer, Bishop Guertin High School, Bishop Brady High School, Saint Anselm College men’s and women’s ice hockey, Dartmouth College men’s rugby, Saint Anselm College football and St. Paul’s School. I learn something from each and every athlete that I work with, and I have had pretty amazing preceptors that have been a huge part of my journey as an athletic training student.
I have loved every single one of my clinical rotations so much and it’s hard to choose a favorite, but the football rotation had a big impact on me as a student. The student-athletes and my preceptor, Amber, made it so hard to say goodbye, but every single person on that team gave me a new perspective that I will cherish for a very long time. Every student-athlete I’ve ever worked with have been amazing and I wish them nothing but success in their futures.
My athletes, preceptors and professors have taught me how to advocate for myself and this profession. They have taught me that humor is a good thing and that you are doing a good job even when you feel like you’re not. What makes me “me,” I think, is my humor and ability to make others smile. I can usually crack a joke out of anything, and if it doesn’t make others laugh, it usually makes me laugh and that’s all that matters to me is that someone has a smile on their face, even if it’s just me!
My current plans after graduation are to sit for my Board of Certification exam at the end of May/early June and enter the workforce as a certified athletic trainer. Eventually, in the next few years, I would love to go back to school and earn my master’s degree.
What I’m most excited for about my future is to see how much I learn and grow as a person and as an athletic trainer. I’m excited to watch this amazing profession grow and see how many lives I can positively impact.