Sean Jordan entered the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program with a dream of one day working in the field of professional sports. That day came quicker than expected when an internship with the New England Patriots turned into a full-time job offer after he graduated in May 2014. He works full time as an assistant athletic trainer and physical therapist, keeping the 90-player roster healthy and ready for game day.
“I was very excited to be offered this position with the Patriots,” says Jordan. “My transition from graduating with my DPT degree to working as a staff member for a professional sports team was not a common one.”
But given Jordan’s experience and education, his move into such a competitive environment was seamless.
After entering the graduate program in the College of Health Sciences, Jordan gained experience wherever he could – as head athletic trainer for a local high school and for UMass Lowell Club Sports, and as a trainer for the Boston Blades, the professional women’s hockey team. These opportunities allowed him to put what he was learning in the classroom into action.
“The experiences that I had while at UMass Lowell helped me gain confidence as a clinician and gave me the chance to network and grow as a professional,” he says, adding that his professors expanded his knowledge base, making him a more effective clinician. And at the level he now works, Jordan says it’s all about setting himself apart from the rest.
With certifications as an athletic trainer, physical therapist and strength and conditioning specialist, he was able to increase his value as a clinician and make his skills more attractive to employers. Yet Jordan feels his success goes back to something simple: hard work. Now with his first job after graduation as a trainer for the New England Patriots, Sean Jordan is already living his professional dream.
“Becoming a physical therapist has been a goal for me since I was young,” he says. “I am very happy with UMass Lowell as the means to get me there.”