Arkansas Tech University graduate student Rachel Roberts is putting her passion into practice this summer as part of an internship with Accelerate Performance Enhancement Center in Tyler, Texas.
Roberts is from Mena and is pursuing a master’s degree in strength conditioning studies at Arkansas Tech.
“My specific duties include assisting with correcting form with running/sprinting mechanics and weightlifting,” said Roberts. “I also take athletes who have suffered injuries or are recovering from surgeries through an adapted program in order to optimize their recovery time and help maintain as much of their residual training variables with strength, power, agility, and speed.”
Giving back to a field she loves is what Roberts hopes to achieve during her internship and future career in the industry.
“I have always loved sports and the competitive atmosphere, but I wanted to know what goes into improving the athleticism of the players,” said Roberts. “My undergraduate and graduate programs have given me the knowledge, and this internship is giving me the practical experience.”
Several takeaways for Roberts include adaptability and acquisition of new skills and experiences.
“I learned very quickly to get out of my comfort zone and begin helping athletes, The summer program is fast-paced, and I quickly got comfortable with the environment,” said Roberts. “I have gained experience in this field. Every situation from my internship can easily transfer and be used as part of the knowledge I use when working with athletes in the future. It has really helped meld the classroom and lab learning to what I can expect as a professional in the industry.”
Arkansas Tech University wants to feature students who are interning this summer. To nominate a student to be featured, complete the submission form.
Be sure to log back on ArkansasTechNews.com for more on those students who are interning.
