- May, 1, 2026
- Read Time: 5 Min
- Share
Mia Schena ’27 always knew she wanted a career centered on helping others. When she arrived at Curry, she began that journey in nursing, inspired by the compassionate care her grandfather received during his battle with Parkinson’s. But during her first year, a new opportunity shifted her path in an exciting direction.
After learning about Curry’s Exercise Science program, Mia immediately felt drawn to the new major. Combining her passion for helping others with her lifelong love of sports, the program offered a path that felt both natural and energizing.
Now in her second year as an Exercise Science major, Schena is putting that passion into practice as an athletic training intern at South Shore Orthopedics, as part of the program’s first cohort of clinical placements. From the moment she stepped into the clinic, she began building real-world skills—working alongside experienced athletic trainers, assisting with patient flow, preparing casting materials, and fitting braces for patients while guiding them through proper use.
As her confidence has grown, so has her role in the clinic. What began as observation has evolved into meaningful, hands-on involvement, giving her a clearer understanding of both patient care and the behind-the-scenes processes of the industry. “There’s so much more that goes into the field than I realized,” she said. “It’s not just treating the injury—it’s understanding documentation, insurance coverage, and all the behind-the-scenes work that supports a patient’s recovery.”
Schena has also found that her classroom experience directly translates to the clinical setting. The case studies and work inside the Exercise Science Lab at Curry allows her to approach each patient interaction with both knowledge and confidence.
For Schena, the most rewarding part of her experience is the human connection. Whether working with young athletes or elderly patients, she values the opportunity to make someone feel more comfortable in a stressful moment. “Even just talking to someone and helping them feel at ease can make a big difference,” she says. And as a member of Curry’s women’s soccer team, her perspective as a student-athlete allows her to relate to patients in a meaningful way, supporting them not just physically, but emotionally as well.
“This clinical experience has been life-changing. It’s helped me realize this is exactly where I want to be.”
Read more about the accomplishments of our students, faculty, and alumni in the 2026 Curry Report.
- Read Time: 5 Min
- Share