Building Stronger Athletes
Isabel Thompson came to Northwestern passionate about athletic performance and health. Now a strength + conditioning major with a minor in business administration, she’s gaining the scientific knowledge, practical experience and professional preparation she needs to help athletes perform at their highest level. Through hands-on learning, invested professors and top-tier facilities, she’s preparing for a future in collegiate strength + conditioning.
Finding Her Calling
I came to Northwestern majoring in exercise science and intending to go into athletic training because I love learning about health, especially when it comes to athletes. I come from a high school sport background of no strength training and doing excessive amounts of cardio every single day, so I wanted to learn about ways to avoid that. Then I started lifting with the strength coaches here and recognized that strength training enables students to be all-around better athletes. This led me to decide to major in strength + conditioning, as I want to show students the benefits of integrating lifting and cardio in their training.
Applied Training
Northwestern’s strength + conditioning professors are incredibly knowledgeable and go above and beyond to allow students to learn. Students have many opportunities, such as in-field experience and interactions with successful strength + conditioning professionals. The facilities here are exceptional and contain equipment that enables students to learn and master all the skills they will need.
Professors Invested in Your Success
The thing I appreciate the most about Northwestern’s kinesiology department is the fact that the professors deeply care about all the students and want to present them with opportunities. They want students to do the best they can and thrive in their classes, all while giving them experience for their future endeavors.
Programming in Practice
My education has allowed me to deepen my understanding of the human body and human functions, which is a key factor for my future career. It has also given me the opportunity to develop training programs in respect to real people and their goals, which has greatly helped me to further understand the field I plan on entering.
Strength in Faith
Northwestern has enabled my faith to grow tremendously. Not only have I learned more and had opportunities to increase my knowledge, I’ve had the great joy of celebrating my faith with other believers. Leading Bible studies with other women on my wing has allowed me to take my faith and truly make it mine and then let me share the growth.
Whole-Person Growth
I would encourage prospective students to choose Northwestern because it allows people to grow in all areas of their life, not only their education. While students are taking classes to gain knowledge in their chosen major, Northwestern is also fostering community and faith. NWC is truly a transformative place that focuses on all aspects of a person.
