Olivia Fain

Olivia Fain
Major/Job Title:
Athletic Training and Rehabilitation Studies, BA; Biology, BA
Hometown:
Waterloo, Iowa
Class Year:
May 2022

Olivia Fain

How did you decide on your path of study? 
I always knew that I wanted to have a career in sports medicine! AT spoke to me, as well as other fields of orthopedic medicine.

Why did you choose to pursue this degree at UNI?
I am playing tennis here at UNI. I love to be close to home and spend time with my family in Waterloo. UNI also has great programs and many great opportunities for students to engage with others and find their passion.

What challenges have you faced as you've worked toward this degree – and how have you overcome them?
Biology is a difficult degree, but it prepares you for grad school and all of those tough courses. I chose athletic training because I love working with athletes and learning about different sports injuries. It has been challenging in regards to learning the material, but I enjoy it.

What’s been your favorite memory at UNI? 
Some of my favorite memories at UNI have been with my tennis team and my friends in the classroom. If I had to pick one memory, it would be winning the Missouri Valley Conference Individual Championships. 

How has UNI helped you achieve your goals? 
UNI has opened my eyes to new careers and given me many new opportunities to help me find a passion for my future work.

How has your experience at UNI shaped you? 
UNI has helped shape me into a strong, independent learner that is willing to complete any task and work towards my goals with passion.

What advice would you give to students considering UNI? 
UNI is a great school to meet new people and explore new classes/careers that you never considered before. Although a small school, there are tons of friends to be made and new classes to explore. Smaller schools are great for one-on-one teaching, and you know you are not just another student ID number in a classroom. Everyone at UNI cares about you and your success.

What do you plan to do with your degree?
I plan to attend an AT master's program and eventually work towards becoming a physician's assistant or a doctor. I plan on working with athletes and orthopedic cases. Thanks to UNI, I was able to find that I have a real passion for athletic training, and that is the career I want to pursue.