Laura Kunkel
Class of 2004
Hometown: Adrian, MN

Major: Athletic Training; Exercise Science
Minor: Fitness Management

Current Place of Residence: Gainesville, FL
Current Graduate School: University of Florida
Current Position: Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer

Laura, you graduated in May of 2004. What have you been up to since then?
I moved to Gainesville, Florida in July of 2004 and began my graduate work toward a Master's of Science degree in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine. I will finish my degree this spring.

How did you choose your athletic training major at Augustana?
I always wanted to help people and always loved sports. For awhile in high school I thought I wanted to be a "sports doctor", but then realized how much school that entails! I found Athletic Training, which only required a four year degree, and haven't looked back.

Which sport was your favorite to work with? Why?
Football was and is my favorite sport to work with. I love that there is always an injury to care for because it is such a high-contact sport and it's such a great sport to watch and be a part of. I am never happier than when I am standing on a football practice field or on the sideline of a game.

How did Augustana prepare you for graduate school?
The experience I had as an Athletic Training student at Augustana was awesome. I was much more prepared than my current classmates to be on my own as a Certified Athletic Trainer. I attribute my readiness to the clinical hours I worked as a student and to the amount of experience I got independent of my supervisors- mostly the traveling I did with the various teams.

Did you receive scholarships to attend graduate school?
I did not receive scholarships, but I do receive a full tuition waiver plus a small stipend to work as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer.

What is your ultimate career goal once you're done with your Master's degree?
I would like to work at a college or university with an undergraduate Athletic Training program, so I can be a clinical instructor for Athletic Training students. I enjoy mentoring others and teaching in the clinical setting (athletics).

Did you have any good internships along the way?
I did an internship through Augustana in which I worked half time in the orthopedic clinic with one of our team physicians, and the other half watching him perform surgeries. Some of the surgeries I observed were fairly new, so that was cool. I am also doing an intership this spring with a physical therapist working with Florida football. Go Gators!

Looking back, what one piece of advice would you give prospective students who are interested in Augustana?
Be excited about going to school at Augustana! They literally were the best years of my life. The friends I made there are my best friends in the world and will continue to be. Something about living together in the dorms brings a special bond to one another. These are the people that I want my kids to meet someday!

How about prospective athletic training students in particular? In your mind, what advantages does studying athletic training at Augustana provide?
Being an athletic trainer at the University of Florida, I see the experiences the athletic training students get here. At a large school they just simply do not get enough of the necessary experience to be good. Augustana provided me with the experience I needed to be good at what I do. You can get the same course content with any athletic training program, but the field experience you gain at a small school like Augie is key.

Which other schools did you look at before choosing Augustana?
I also looked at NDSU, SDSU and Minnesota State - Mankato. The biggest deciding factor that made me choose Augie was the experience that I would get. Augustana was the only place I could attend and begin working with athletes as a freshman. At the other schools I looked at, I would not get to do anything with an athlete until my sophomore or even junior year. I felt that I would learn more by starting earlier. Also, Brian Gerry, the director of the athletic training program at Augie, is very knowledgeable and good at his job. I knew I would learn a lot from him.

What do you miss most about Augie?
I miss being able to walk through the campus and know almost everyone I see. Here at UF I feel like a small fish in a big sea, and when I do things around town I don't know anyone. Whenever I go back to Sioux Falls and Augustana I always see other people I know, and I miss seeing a familiar, friendly face everywhere.

Who was your biggest influence on campus?
Hands down it was Brian Gerry. He was my advisor, teacher, and mentor. I would not be where I am today and would not have my level of knowledge if it were not for him. Whenever I am confused about how I should handle a situation professionally, I ask myself what he would do. If I still don't know, I email him or call for advice. I will always value his advice and opinions and will continually strive to be as good at my job as he is at his.