Alumni Career Q + A with Donte’ Delia, Athletic Trainer
Name: Donte’ Delia
Age: 32
Occupation: Athletic trainer and sports medicine teacher at Flagstaff High School.
Graduation year: 2014 BSAT and 2017 MAT-S.
Why did you choose to go down the career path that you did?
It is a long story, but in short: I took athletic training in high school, saw that I was good at it, and decided then I wanted to work with sports, and I want to help people. My athletic trainer in high school mentored me, and I wanted to do the same for future students, so I made sure my path incorporated a teaching degree so I could work at a high school.
How did NAU prepare you for your career?
The BS program helped me so much in learning anatomy and how to apply my knowledge to patients during clinicals. Ironically, I did my clinicals at the same school that I am now the head athletic trainer for. I still think about the days during my bachelor’s that helped me continuously improve my practice. During my master’s, I worked as a GA athletic trainer in the Athletics program, and under Cherisse Kuteruff, I grew in confidence in my athletic training knowledge and my capability of doing any job I put my mind to the best of my ability.
Why should others consider pursuing a career in your field?
First off, if you love what you do, you will never have a day of work. I absolutely love my job; working with all these amazing teens feels so rewarding to me each and every day. If you love sports/competition and helping people achieve their goals, then athletic training is the correct pathway for you.
What do you hope to see in the future for your profession?
Better pay for one thing, especially if the position consists of athletic training and teaching. It is a slow paradigm shift, for sure. But moving to a master’s, being healthcare professionals, and teaching future healthcare professionals, we should be able to live a comfortable life outside of work.
What’s the best part of your job?
Watching my students grow and be ready to begin their own lives in healthcare, as well as see my student-athletes succeed and watch them play the sport they love.
What would you say to a student interested in pursuing your profession as a career?
Make sure you are constantly working on your work-life balance. It is okay to say “no.” And KNOW your anatomy.
What are some ways you practice self-care to avoid burnout / what do you do for fun?
I play Dungeons and Dragons with my friends, as well as Judo/BJJ. I hope to be getting back to Judo/BJJ after a long-term injury myself (I am quite excited). Plus working out when I can and spending time with my partner.
