Professional Kinesiology

Advisor: Dr. Kimberley Gammage

Program Entry Date: Fall 2021

What were the best parts of your experience a Brock? 

As I was nearing the end of my undergraduate degree in a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology at Brock University, I knew my time in post-secondary education was not done and I was not ready to leave everything that I had started at Brock. With that, the decision was made to stay one more year and hopefully pursue a Masters Degree. Still not knowing what exact career I wanted to pursue, I looked towards the Masters of Professional Kinesiology (MPK) Program to gain in-the-field experience as well as refine my knowledge to prepare for provincial registration exams.

Completing this 12-month program, I built new relationships and built on previous ones from my undergraduate degree. One of the biggest changes entering my Masters was the experience it provides that reflects real-world work. From practicum applications and interviews, to professional networking and being the one to ask about expectations it prepared me for a career as a continuously developing practitioner in today’s dynamic world. One message that stuck with me, is that “life doesn’t come with a rubric”. Similarly, the MPK and other Masters programs may not provide you with that and it is on you as the professional to distinguish what will make your work excel and be the best in its field.

I am so glad that my time at Brock, was extended by another year. The Student Life and Community Engagement at Brock is like no other and in my opinion, sets Brock apart. Getting involved in on-campus employment as a Head Resident in the Department of Residences, as well as the opportunities through the Graduate Students’ Association to take on new professional development opportunities beyond the scope of your course brought this from an education, to an experience. I would encourage any student at Brock University, to make the most of all that Brock has to offer and to get involved both inside and outside the classroom. You’ll meet so many great and like-minded people and it will prepare you well with the experiences you’ll gain.

What are your tips for thriving in grad school? 

1. Trust Yourself – remember that these are your Graduate Studies. You already have so much knowledge and many soft skills that have helped you to get to this point. Trust the knowledge that you have and the decisions that you make. Early on I wasn’t sure if the MPK program wasn’t right for me. I stuck around a little bit longer, tried a couple different things and my whole mindset went from negative to positive.

2. Know When to Ask Questions…. But Not Too Many – It’s important to ask questions. In any part of life, you need to know what’s expected of you. There are also times though that your best learning can come from mistakes. That’s not to say, go into different assignments knowing nothing about anything. But, know when to ask questions, and when it’s just time to trust your judgement.

3. Know Yourself – a Masters Program, like any program at Brock will be filled with many opportunities. Take advantage of them, but know when it’s too much and when you need to put yourself first. There’s only one version of you, but it’s up to you to do what you need to put your best foot forward and make the most of your experience.