Attending Arizona State University was a life-changing experience. Moving out of California and immersing myself in a vibrant college town was both exciting and challenging. ASU lived up to its reputation as a party school, but I remained focused on my academics and prioritized my education over socializing.
Although I graduated with a degree in Exercise and Wellness, I originally auditioned for the Jazz Studies program. As a lifelong saxophone player, I thought I had it all figured out in high school. I went into the audition overconfident and underprepared, relying on natural talent to get me through. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work out. Looking back, it was a blessing in disguise. I pivoted to my second-choice major, Biology, as I’d always been interested in science and health but wasn’t ready to narrow my focus just yet.
The Hunt for an On-Campus Job
During my first semester, I didn’t work. However, by the time Spring rolled around, I was eager to start earning some money and began applying for jobs. With no real experience outside umpiring for my hometown’s youth baseball league, it was tough. The sheer size of the university—over 60,000 students—made the competition fierce, and I needed a job on campus since I relied on a bike for transportation.
The fitness center, a place I frequented regularly, stood out as an ideal option. Familiar with the space and the job roles, I applied for a weight room supervisor position. It wasn’t glamorous, and the pay was minimal, but it was a start. The fitness facility was massive, featuring two full-size weight rooms, and required supervision for safety and liability reasons. My interview went smoothly, and I leaned heavily on my high school background in athletic training to make my case. A couple of weeks later, I got the job, though I had to wait until the summer to start.
First Days on the Job: Navigating the Chaos
When the new semester began, I moved into a house with friends and officially started working at the Sun Devil Fitness Complex (SDFC). My duties included keeping the weight room clean, providing customer service, and addressing any incidents—whether injuries or unruly behavior. Cleaning the weight room, I quickly discovered, was a Sisyphean task. Thousands of students passed through daily, and maintaining order was nearly impossible.
Instead of stressing over perfection, I focused on helping where needed and staying alert for my supervisors. There was even a rumor that someone got fired on the spot for doing a pull-up during their shift—whether true or not, it kept us all on our toes! Despite the low pay and occasional monotony, I genuinely enjoyed the role. The team of student workers was friendly and supportive, creating a social and collaborative environment.
Finding My Path to Personal Training
Working at the fitness center also provided me with a unique opportunity to observe others working out. With little else to do during downtime, I soaked up knowledge about different exercises, techniques, and routines. These observations inspired me to improve my own workouts and, eventually, to pursue personal training.
Several of my coworkers were already personal trainers and encouraged me to join them. They emphasized the benefits: better pay, more freedom, and, of course, a better shirt! Motivated, I spent the summer earning my certification and was ready to start training clients by the fall of my junior year.
Becoming a personal trainer was a rewarding but humbling experience. My clients, a mix of students and faculty, often had limited experience with fitness, requiring me to shift my approach. Reflecting now, I realize there were gaps in my knowledge at the time. While I did my best, I cringe at some of the advice I gave, knowing what I know today. Still, it was a valuable learning experience that helped me grow both personally and professionally.
A College Job with a Career Impact
Around this time, I also began volunteering at physical therapy clinics to prepare for my goal of pursuing a career in physical therapy. My days were filled with learning about the human body and guiding people through exercise or rehabilitation. This knowledge directly improved my personal training sessions and my own fitness journey.
By senior year, not much had changed in my routine at the fitness center. I balanced my roles as a weight room supervisor and personal trainer while mapping out my next steps after graduation. Despite the low pay and occasional boredom, working at the SDFC was one of the most rewarding experiences of my college years.
More Than Just a Job
The time I spent at ASU’s fitness center not only introduced me to a field I’m deeply passionate about but also laid the foundation for my career in public health. It taught me valuable lessons about teamwork, resilience, and the importance of creating a welcoming environment. It even led me to meet my wife.
I’m incredibly grateful for the people I worked with and the experiences that shaped me during those years. The SDFC will always hold a special place in my heart, and I’m proud to say that it kickstarted my journey into a career I love.
