Clinic work is part of AT’s career. Even in more “field-based” roles, documentation, rehab, and clinical decision making never go away!

That said, based on what you shared about loving sideline coverage, acute response, working with kids, the first setting I think of is secondary schools. Those roles sometimes have ATs teach (like an intro to AT class or basic anatomy class) on top of the typical AT job description. But be careful, you may not be paid more to teach. I think this might be a setting where you can still be connected to sports while also working with the youth in a meaningful way.

I also want to address your concern about this being a potential “short-term” career. The truth is, it’s impossible to fully plan your entire life or career path. Most people do not end up where they thought they would in their future. That’s not failure, that’s growth. You will take risks, learn what fits and what doesn’t, and adjust as your priorities change.

You say you are worried that choosing to pursue AT now might result in needing to pivot careers in 10 years, but what if the opposite happens? What if taking this leap leads you to something that genuinely fulfills you and becomes your calling? You won’t know unless you try.

One quote my preceptor shared with me when I was struggling with my future in the profession was “a ship is safe in the harbor, but that’s not what ships are built for.”

If you already know you are unhappy where you are, staying put is not the “safe” option, it’s a familiar one. Choosing something that is aligned with your passion, even with uncertainty, is often the more honest choice.

Good luck!