Let me preface this blog by saying: "I am not a blogger"
However, sometimes neat things happen and you feel like sharing it with everyone. So, I blog. I had the opportunity this weekend to work (not an appropriate word) the DFW 3-Day Expo. For those of you who don't know, it is the 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk kick-off, learn new things, buy much needed items, and get advice event.
A little history may help you understand where this is going. When I moved to Texas in 2006, I was asked to be a part of the sports medicine team. Being new to the area and busy with a new job, the only time available was small but much needed. I helped out at a couple of pit-stops for a few hours. In 2007, I was more settled with life, knew more people and gave up the whole weekend to camp and give of myself for three straight days. I cannot even begin to put that experience into words. To think that something as small as a band-aid or piece of 2nd skin could bring such huge hugs and smiles from women and men, well, it's amazing. We had some of our students come out to help and they talked of the event and the blisters for weeks. I could go on and on with stories but I will get to the point of this blog.
I was asked to help at the Expo and I did so without hesitation. It was basically 3 hours of repeating how to take care of a blister with a few quick evaluations thrown in. Towards the end, I was walking around handing out a hydration recommendation sheet and a couple of women stopped me. With the hundreds of feet I looked at last year, I was unable to remember all of them. However, this lady remembered that I had taken care of her feet and once again thanked me for getting her through the walk. I will admit that I was already tired of talking about blisters, but you know what? That small reminder of my past experience made it all worthwhile.
At this point, I will insert a shameless plug for the sports medicine crew. We are always in need of volunteers for the team; either for the weekend, the day, a few hours, whatever you can give. The 3 Day is Nov 7-9 this year and information will be sent via SWATA listserve calling for volunteers. Don't just delete the email; think about a few hours you could give up to gain so much.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
What a week!?!
I don't know about you, but this is what my week has felt like. I apologize in advance, because this will be short. Please forgive me :)Between bad weather (everyday), torn up fields and change of contest venues, I have had to be a miracle worker.
I know people often underestimate the amount and extent of our role in athletics, but incidents like these definitely make people thankful for us.
So if you have had a rough week, just hang in there! Keep up the good work! It may go un-acknowledged, but I promise it never goes unrecognized!
On another note-I have a conference call on Monday with the NATA Young Professionals Committee to discuss our Community Service and San Antonio Programming. I will report back to you in the coming weeks!
Have a great restful weekend!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
A New Job
Hello Everyone!
My name is Elizabeth Heyer and I am a member of the Young Professionals Committee. I am a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University (Go Cowboys!) and Tarleton State University (Go Texans!). As many young professionals I have embarked on a new job this year, and I want to share with you all my experiences of my first week.
Everyone remembers what it is like to be at a new school or living in a new town...it can be scary! Well in one month's time I have not only joined a new school but also moved to a town to which I am not very familiar. I have taken a new job at Colleyville Heritage High School in the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD which is right in the middle of the DFW Airport. What a huge move from Abilene, TX to the metroplex, not to mention the insane amount of traffic to which I am not accustomed.
For the past four years I have worked at the college/university setting and have decided to make the move to the high school setting which was a huge decision for me. I am very excited about all the opportunities that are available to me as I begin a new year at a new school, but it is also very nerve racking.
Last week I began working volleyball practices without ever meeting the coaching staff and never even stepping foot into the high school. This summer the entire high school was renovated so absolutely no one was allowed in the building. As you can imagine this caused a huge mess. We have only been allowed in the building for two days now, the first being the first day of football. An even bigger mess! We have survived thanks to the wonderful staff her at CHHS. I now have access to an athletic training room, an office, and supplies just in time for our first home volleyball scrimmage.
This week has been and will be full of new teacher training and inservice. We all dislike inservice but it is a necessary evil that will happen every single year of your career...so get used to it! My inservice was actually a great experience being new to this district and this work environment. I have one major piece of advice for all young professionals....listen to the people who have been in your place recently. I have a wonderful mentor here at CHHS who I have already met with several times. She is too a young professional but she has been coaching/teaching in this district for three years. She remembers exactly how it feels to be in my shoes and has wonderful advice.
I am enjoying my new job and city greatly after only one week of being here. I hope that continues throughout the year and years to come...I will let you know!
For now if you have any questions you can e-mail me directly at elizabeth.heyer!gcisd.net or you can just post on the blog.
My name is Elizabeth Heyer and I am a member of the Young Professionals Committee. I am a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University (Go Cowboys!) and Tarleton State University (Go Texans!). As many young professionals I have embarked on a new job this year, and I want to share with you all my experiences of my first week.
Everyone remembers what it is like to be at a new school or living in a new town...it can be scary! Well in one month's time I have not only joined a new school but also moved to a town to which I am not very familiar. I have taken a new job at Colleyville Heritage High School in the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD which is right in the middle of the DFW Airport. What a huge move from Abilene, TX to the metroplex, not to mention the insane amount of traffic to which I am not accustomed.
For the past four years I have worked at the college/university setting and have decided to make the move to the high school setting which was a huge decision for me. I am very excited about all the opportunities that are available to me as I begin a new year at a new school, but it is also very nerve racking.
Last week I began working volleyball practices without ever meeting the coaching staff and never even stepping foot into the high school. This summer the entire high school was renovated so absolutely no one was allowed in the building. As you can imagine this caused a huge mess. We have only been allowed in the building for two days now, the first being the first day of football. An even bigger mess! We have survived thanks to the wonderful staff her at CHHS. I now have access to an athletic training room, an office, and supplies just in time for our first home volleyball scrimmage.
This week has been and will be full of new teacher training and inservice. We all dislike inservice but it is a necessary evil that will happen every single year of your career...so get used to it! My inservice was actually a great experience being new to this district and this work environment. I have one major piece of advice for all young professionals....listen to the people who have been in your place recently. I have a wonderful mentor here at CHHS who I have already met with several times. She is too a young professional but she has been coaching/teaching in this district for three years. She remembers exactly how it feels to be in my shoes and has wonderful advice.
I am enjoying my new job and city greatly after only one week of being here. I hope that continues throughout the year and years to come...I will let you know!
For now if you have any questions you can e-mail me directly at elizabeth.heyer!gcisd.net or you can just post on the blog.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Four Weddings and a...
Life and a Job. Over the next 12 months I will be IN 4 weddings. People keep telling me..."well, it's that time in your life." EXACTLY! I'm young and all the people I know are at the time in their lives where they are ready to settle down. I dearly love my friends and am happy to stand with them on what will be a very important day in their lives, but it is no simple one-day commitment. Bridal showers, buying dresses and accessories, traveling to out-of-state weddings, etc.
Unfortunately, not all of my friends are Athletic Trainers and therefore do not necessarily keep the same schedule as I do, so their weddings are in December, March and May (not calm times in our lives). Do you politely decline because of work commitments or do you pass the responsibility to your associate (if you have one), go happily to the wedding and try not to think about the events you are missing?
I think one of the issues that faces all Athletic Trainers, but even more so Young Professionals, is this battle to balance all aspects of your life. How can you keep your significant other satisfied (and take care of kids, if you have them), still see your friends and work the hours that we do? I know that when I got my first job, I really felt I had to prove that I was good at what I did. I showed up early and stayed late and while I missed my family and friends, I poured myself into my work. I am now a newlywed, and luckily my husband has been around throughout my entire journey as an Athletic Trainer, so he definitely understands the time commitment and is fully supportive when I tell him I'm going to apply to be on a committee that will require even more effort and time. Thanks, honey! My friends and family know they won't hear from me much in August, and honestly, who goes out on Friday nights anyway?!
Unfortunately, not all of my friends are Athletic Trainers and therefore do not necessarily keep the same schedule as I do, so their weddings are in December, March and May (not calm times in our lives). Do you politely decline because of work commitments or do you pass the responsibility to your associate (if you have one), go happily to the wedding and try not to think about the events you are missing?
I think one of the issues that faces all Athletic Trainers, but even more so Young Professionals, is this battle to balance all aspects of your life. How can you keep your significant other satisfied (and take care of kids, if you have them), still see your friends and work the hours that we do? I know that when I got my first job, I really felt I had to prove that I was good at what I did. I showed up early and stayed late and while I missed my family and friends, I poured myself into my work. I am now a newlywed, and luckily my husband has been around throughout my entire journey as an Athletic Trainer, so he definitely understands the time commitment and is fully supportive when I tell him I'm going to apply to be on a committee that will require even more effort and time. Thanks, honey! My friends and family know they won't hear from me much in August, and honestly, who goes out on Friday nights anyway?!
There also always seems to be a sharp division between young and veteran Athletic Trainers about work commitment. To have weekend treatments or not to have weekend treatments, that is the question! I think finding common ground without condescension will also help bridge this gap between us, but that is for another post.
I still feel like I'm trying to prove myself and my worth at work and in this profession, but I'm also trying now even more than before to find that balance. Things happen in your life that will give you great pause about your priorities. Loss of a loved one that you haven't seen in a long time, missing your best friend's wedding, birth of a child, niece or nephew. I think the new SWATA Life Balance Committee will tackle some of these issues and will help us to not only take care of our athletes/patients/clients, but also take greater care of ourselves and our families.
How do you balance everything? What do you struggle with?
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