Student Therapist Alumni Spotlight: Sarah Campanico
What year(s) were you a student AT at Humber?
I was honoured to do my 3rd year field placement and 4th year clinical AT placements at Humber College. From Fall Semester 2015 till Winter Semester 2017.
Describe your experience as a student AT at Humber. (What teams were you with, accomplishments, places you travelled etc).
The word that best describes my experiences at Humber is transformative. Mel and Jen had assigned me to the Women’s Rugby 15’s and 7’s athletic programs. I remember being so nervous and praying that they’d assign me to another team. I thought being with a rugby team seemed so scary at the time. It quickly ended up being the best thing to have ever happened. Every AT should work Rugby. Amazing learning opportunities to be had and higher-level Rugby is actually really safe.
Right away my Humber placement gave me real life experiences. Not only did it test your therapy skills but it also tests you as a person. Within weeks of being at Humber there was a very serious event that effected the women’s and men’s rugby team. Trying to help these girls emotionally and physically was tough, especially while trying to make personal/professional connections with my team, do their medicals and navigate this new experience. That event sticks with me to this day to remind me of how important ATs are to athlete’s and patient’s overall wellbeing. Our job is way more than just physical healing and my placement really drove that home to me.
Luckily, my team got to travel to BC for a University Rugby Championship tournament. I remember being uplifted and told I could do the trip on my own as a student. That gave me so much confidence. Being told you’re good enough by amazing Athletic Therapists whom you look up to can be life changing. Especially during your last years of the AT program. Humber also paid for my team to attend the World Championship Rugby 7’s tournament that was happening the same weekend of our tournament. What an experience of a life time!
The accomplishment I am most proud of is being awarded the Student Athletic Therapist Award. It was such a special award to commemorate such a special and critical time in my life. Humber’s athletic and AT department is extremely organized and fully able to support you in whatever you need. The level of professionalism, sense of belonging and quality of experiences you will go through will make you feel as prepared as you possibly can be in order to become a Certified Athletic Therapist. The environment and community feel are unlike any other experience you will have at another placement. There’s a reason why this placement has the great reputation!
What is your favorite memory as a student AT at Humber?
I am grateful to have many memories from my placement but some of the best ones come from Humber’s pre season events – parties, really! and any moments where it was just the therapy
staff in the clinic. Whether it be a staff baby shower or the staff Christmas party or just a study session in the clinic, the relationships and trust you develop with your peers and mentors are priceless.
Where has your career path taken you since being a student AT at Humber?
After certification, I decided to take a break from all the craziness of school and placements and was a server for a year. Once that year was up, I moved away from home for a job where I knew no one and worked as a sole proprietor/independent contractor for a small clinic. I learned a lot my first year of working. So different from school and placement. Now, I live in that same area but now I work for myself out of my home clinic with hopes to expand one day. All of my patients have Athletic Therapy benefits and I see ALL walks of life. Treating the general population is much different than what you would be exposed to in school. This is great though as we offer so much value to these patients and their lives.
Advice to Humber athletes/student therapists?
The advice you receive from your mentors; listen to it. Really listen and welcome any constructive criticism that comes your way. In addition to that, no matter how stressed you are with school or your placement, please take moments to truly enjoy the experience. The real world is very different and you won’t have the luxuries that this opportunity has to offer forever. Lastly, you don’t need more school or credentials. You are extremely well equipped to start working right after school. Don’t feel like you have to do more school or have to have more letters after your name in order to be successful.
Quick Facts about yourself.
- I have received 5 awards in our field, 2 of which are National Awards.
- I knew I was going to be an athletic therapist since I was 15 years old
- I was originally wait-listed for my program
- I did not have an undergraduate degree going into AT