New Year’s Resolutions and Old Year’s Revelations

While working on some of my StarTRACKS assignments, I used one of my free CEU Bucks (those are actually pretty cool...use them!) from the NATA to watch “Communicating with Confidence." In this, an athletic trainer said something that completely resonated with me and is applicable for all YPs. He said that, as health professionals, communicating with confidence comes with knowing your profession and keeping current on methods and research in your field, and not falling back on “the way I learned it.” Hearing that took my breath away; I say that on a weekly basis!

Granted I have been out of school only six years, BUT in six years, I wonder what has changed? One athletic trainer in the segment presented this idea: at the end of the year, season, or month, ask yourself what you learned new. But most importantly, what did you fail not to learn when presented with something new. Was there an injury you had never dealt with or a surgery you had never rehabbed? Or did you see an injury trend that needs to be examined?

I took this advice to heart, and I am in turn asking you to do the same. I have seen four lumbar stress fractures so far this school year, so I surfed blogs and educational websites to find a good low back resource. I ordered a new book from Amazon and read a little here and there, re-learning that which I learned six long years ago and learning more that which is completely new.

There will come a point in our long careers where it will no longer be six years, but sixteen and twenty-six years, and “the way I learned it” will undoubtedly be changed. So to all of you contemplating a New Year’s Resolution (I promise to use my gym membership I haven’t touched since two-a-days!), reflect on what you did this past year and how you can become a better health care professional for your athletes. Merry Christmas and best wishes to you all for an awesome 2010.

NATA Gatorade Service Award

NATA Secondary School Gatorade Service Award

This award was created to recognize the efforts of secondary school athletic trainers that are improving their school community as a whole as well as doing their job as an athletic trainer. Everyone knows of that high school or middle school athletic trainer that is always going above and beyond the call of duty for the betterment of their school. It may be covering classes in their department, driving a bus when route drivers are not able to drive, teaching AED/CPR to staff members of their school, organizing and implementing fitness testing, covering power puff games, FCA dodge ball and basketball event coverage, coordinating wellness programs, the list could go on and on...

The point is to recognize someone that you know in your district/area/region that is always going above and beyond expectations. We all have that person that we look at think...how in the world do they have the time to do all of that AND do their regular job as an athletic trainer.

Go to http://www.nata.org/ns/NATASSATCGatoradeServiceAward/index.htm to get more information on how to nominate that hard working athletic trainer that you know deserves some recognition for going above and beyond.

Crazy Time

I think that I have had these thoughts once or twice since the middle of October...

November is the start of "Crazy Time" in the world of high school athletic trainers (as well as other athletic trainers). There is so much going on and there is no way to keep up with all of it at the same time. Football, Volleyball, and Cross Country are at their peak of their seasons; Tennis is in full swing, Basketball is getting started and Wrestling, Swimming & Diving, & Gymnastics are getting ready to start their seasons! Most athletic trainers are just trying to survive from day to day at this point... I know that I am just keeping my head above water at times!

I always find that if I am drowning in my work, then I need to take a step back, prioritize what needs to be done, and knock them out one at a time. I will do this by making a list, ranking them in order of what needs to be finished first and then I cross them off when they are complete. It is a simplistic approach, but sometimes simple is all it takes.

Finding time to get away from everything is a good way to help you get things accomplished. Sometimes you just need to get a fresh perspective on a situation to know what to do and the only way to get that perspective is to leave it for a while and come back to it. We all have been there before...we have worked on something for so long that we cannot see the solution that is right in front of us. Leave it and come back to it later.

Do not allow your email and other electronic communications bog you down from accomplishing your work. Leave the emails until after you have accomplished the task in your training room or on your desk, the "problem" in your computer will still be there when you finish dealing with what is in the room with you.

Remember that we work in one of the greatest professions in the world. We are in the people business, so go talk with the people you work with. Get out of the training room... go to practices, games, travel with a team to an event and just relax. I did not become an athletic trainer to be inside at a desk all day! November is a great time of year to get outside and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air...even if it is watching football practice!

Take time out for yourself and for what is important to you. When you leave work, leave it at work. Be in the situation that you are in; don't be thinking of what you have to do tomorrow or dwelling on what happened earlier that day. Find your "Happy Place" and go there, even for just a little while.

Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

I've heard this so frequently in the previous weeks. Regarding house stuff, and weather, work and life.

It made me think...Isn't this what athletic trainers do? Our entire education prepares us for the worst case scenario. From prevention of head injuries and heat illness, to evaluation of torn ligaments and broken bones to rehabilitation after major surgery. Preparing us to deal with the worst.

What happens though, when you aren't prepared for the worst? When the worst is worse than anything you could have imagined.
Last year, one of my basketball athletes complained of low back pain. She went to her physician, and was diagnosed with leukemia. 16 years old, back pain, CANCER? That was not my worst. She is now cancer-free, but can no longer compete in basketball.

Last week, a coach's son was laid to rest at the age of 12. 2 and a half years ago he was having hip pain. Went to his physician and was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, fatal in 75% of all cases. He fought a valiant battle. The whole varsity team and coaching staff attended his funeral and mourned a life lost too young and celebrated a child who is now cancer free. I was moved, emotional and felt helpless.

Athletic trainers are preventers. Athletic trainers are fixers. I could neither prevent what happened, nor fix these kids. Not to mention their friends, family, teammates and others affected by their diagnosis.

One of the issues that often arises in the first 5 years of your athletic training career is coping with loss and dealing with the psychosocial repercussions left behind. Counseling athletes after a season ending injury, loss of a friend or family member, or simply after a break-up is a situation I was ill prepared for. I didn't realize that in many cases, these athletes felt I was the person they could trust most to listen and advise them through rough times. It is a situation in which you have to tread carefully, and know your boundaries.
I am finally beginning to understand this relationship and appreciate my role.
Sometimes, however, no matter what you do you can't prepare for the worst, and that is OK.
You simply have to be prepared to respond.

Another Level of Recognition

Otho Davis is the first athletic trainer that has ever been on the ballot for the National Football League Hall of Fame.

The Board of Selectors has the final say, but your vote will be heard.

He started out at #51 last week, and is now at #12!!

Visit http://www.fanschoice.com/vote.aspx

You can vote everyday until November 26th.

It is always amazing what a group of motivated athletic trainers can accomplish!

A little bit about this pioneer of athletic training:
Otho L. Davis (b. February 8, 1934, d. May 2, 2000) was aa football athletic trainer. He was the head athletic trainer for Kent State University from 1957-65. In 1965, he moved to Duke University for six seasons. In 1971, O joined the Baltimore Colts for two seasons, his first foray in the NFL.

It was in Philadelphia, however, that Otho Davis became a premiere athletic trainer. Hired by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1973, Davis served as head athletic trainer for the club until his retirement after the 1995 season. He was named Athletic Trainer of the Year five times. For eighteen years, Davis served as the executive director of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA). The NATA headquarters was renamed in his honor.

On May 1, 1993 Davis was also enshrined into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame - Philadelphia Chapter. In 1982, he received the Distinguished Service Award for Sports Medicine from the American Orthopedics Society for Sports Medicine.

His other honors include having been inducted into the Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association (Texas and Arkansas) Hall of Fame in 1987 and being a member of "Who's Who in the East." He is also a member of the Kent State University Hall of Fame and an Honorary member of the Kent State Varsity "K".

Davis also held memberships in various professional organizations, including the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association. Davis was nominated in April, 1993 by the Professional Football Writers Association (PFWA) for the Horrigan Award. This honor is bestowed upon the league or club official or player for his qualities and professional style in helping pro football writers do his or her job. Davis formerly served as the charter president of the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers Society. Davis was a member of the Board of Advisors of the Ed Block Courage Award which honors a player from all 28 NFL teams each season who, in the eyes of their teammates, best displays courage. He also was a member of the Board of Governors of the Maxwell Football Club and was a past member of the executive committee of the Professional Athletic Trainers' Society.

A native of Elgin, TX, Davis, 61 (2/8/34), attended South Park High in Beaumont (TX) and later earned a B.S. degree in physical education from Lamar University in 1957 and an M.A. degree in 1964 from Kent State, where he was head trainer from 1957-1965. Prior to that, he served in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corp from 1954-56 with the United States Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and was athletic trainer for the Beaumont (TX) "Exporter" baseball club in 1956.

In 1999, John Madden named Davis to his All Madden Team as the all time trainer. The same year he was named to the Eagles Honor Roll.

Love/Not Love So Much

I love my job. Most days I don't even think of it as a job. However, there are those days when I leave home before the sun comes up, deal with traffic, mounds of paperwork, evaluate a fractured wrist, more paperwork, practice in the rain and come home long after the sun has set and I think that there has got to be something better.

Athletic training is a challenging, interesting and demanding profession that is definitely not for the weak at heart. We are often everything to everyone all the time and it is ingrained in us that this is what athletic trainers are. We lower our heads, we work tirelessly and go home to our families at the end of the day exhausted.

What do I love? I LOVE my student-athletes (most of them ;)) who are always so impressed when I use a medical term. I LOVE my student athletic trainers who I watch develop a love of athletic training despite their designation sometimes as "water girl." I LOVE the feeling of success I get when I watch an student-athlete return to the playing field after a year off due to surgery or major injury, or a week off due to a high ankle sprain. I LOVE when a former student-athlete or student athletic trainer visits the athletic training room during halftime at homecoming to tell me they are studying sports medicine at college and anatomy is HARD. There are so many more.

What do I love not so much? While I tend not to dwell on things like this, there are a few things that frustrate me. I don't love my growing list of duties: travel coordinator, meal planner, insurance agent, safety trainer, compliance director, equipment manager, and sometime-athletic secretary just to name a few. I don't love the often ridiculous practice schedules that keep me here 12+ hours just to ensure practice time on the "main gym floor." (They are both wood, get a grip!?). I don't love hosting tournaments of anything, or staggered practice over Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Break.

To me, the positives far outweigh the negatives, AND it is in my power to address the things I do not love so much. It was difficult just starting out to realize that I don't have to keep my mouth shut and just show up, I can elicit change. I addressed the practice issues with my coaches and they agreed to work-out within a certain window during the school day and on holidays or be satisfied with no athletic trainer on campus (no coach wants that!). I'm still working on my increasing job responsibilities and I won't win the tournament battle. It is good to know, however, that I can win some battles, and that is something else I LOVE.

I want to start a discussion...In the comments section of this post:

What do you love about your job?

What would you change?

One I'd really like to know the answer to: What can SWATA and the YPC do to help?

The more things change...

So I heard somewhere recently that your life won't look much different in three years. The implication is that life doesn't change drastically in that period of time.

It got me thinking, and I think three years is a long time and brings lots of change at every stage...

0-3-you go from a blob that eats and poos to a little person that walks and talks
~
3-6-you can comprehend and reason and you start school!
~
13-16 awkward adolescent to a full on difficult young adult that can drive (scary!)
~
19-22-this is when I had my epiphany that my parents really did know what they were talking about; was of legal drinking age; and graduated college the first time.
~
22-25 I got my first job, graduated from college the second time, got married... turned 28 today and the last 3 years have been nothing short of amazing, and definitely never boring.

I think this is a fundamental issue that young professionals face. Our life is changing so much right now. We are just getting out on our feet, we get engaged, married, friends get married, buy houses and our first cars and eventually there is a growing family in the mix (whether it's kids or animals ;)).

I never thought this would be a challenge, but it gets really difficult to balance everything and keep it all straight. For me, I am currently in the middle of our first home purchase. I never knew that it would be so...so...dominating. Inspections, financing, paint colors, appliances. It consumes my thoughts no matter where I am (work, car, sleep, grocery store), and makes it difficult to focus on the tasks at hand. Setting aside major personal milestones so that I will still be effective at my job is a hurdle that I'm beginning to get over. I imagine it only gets harder with the addition of kids.

I know that my issue is not unique, and I take great solace knowing that I'm not alone. I have called on several friends for help along the way and guidance from mentors.

No matter what change the next 3 years brings, as far as I can tell, it's all worth it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On another, somewhat related note...THE ELECTION FOR NATA President is still going on! How much will change in the next 3 years of our profession and association?! What will your IMPACT on the future be?

Hail to the Chief

(I'm a little frustrated right now, as I just wrote out an awesome, motivating, compelling voting blog...and then deleted it. Sweet. You will just have to take my word for it. VOTE!)

There is an important election going on in NATA right now that could have great effect on the future of our association and profession. I'm sure you think I say that about everything, but I swear it is true.

The NATA president is the face of athletic training and the National Athletic Trainers' Association to other organizations, sponsors and often the media. S/he with the Board of Directors drive our association's focus over the coming years and are critical to continuing to evolve NATA. It's kind of a big deal.

The candidates are:
Current NATA President Marje Albohm, MS, ATC and former District 2 Director Joe Iezzi, MS, ATC, PES.
Both attended our annual meeting in Arlington, so you may have had a chance to meet them!

To find out more information about the candidates visit the NATA Website and look for Face Time '09 for their platforms. For a Q & A with them visit the YPC section of the website, and check out the July issue of the NATA News.

You should have received your electronic ballot on (or about) September 1st. If you didn't, e-mail amyc@nata.org and she will get you set up. Do this before September 30th when voting closes!

YOUR VOTE COUNTS! There is no time like now to make your IMPACT on the association felt.

Helicopter Parents

You know the type... Sitting in the bleachers watching practice...everyday. Talking to their kids from the stands, telling them what to do, how to play. Trying to get just a "minute" in the coach's office. You happen to be in the front office checking your box and you see them, hovering, waiting to talk to anyone that will listen to them. It seems that they must not have employment because every time you look up you see them. Then it happens...their child gets an injury.


As a young professional, what do you plan to do when the "helicopter parent" comes in for a landing in your training room? If you think it will not happen...just wait...It will happen to you one day.


When I first started, I would become very defensive with these parents. I did not know how to handle them. I would let them get under my skin and wonder if I really was doing what I was supposed to be doing. They second guessed me and eventually I started to second guess myself. Don't let that happen to you.

1. Be confident in what you are doing in the training room. Confidence in yourself and your treatments/rehab or a lack of confidence in those areas will show. If people think that you are unsure of what you are doing, they will second guess everything you do.
2. Be able to explain the 'whats' and 'whys' of what you are doing. Telling a kid or a parent that you want this done a certain way just because you said may not be the best way to build their confidence in you. Be prepared to educate them, these are teachable moments, and you should take advantage of them.
3. Have a plan. If you can show them rehab programs, treatment plans, return to play guidelines, they will see that you know what you are doing.
4. Be patient. These parents have a difficult time with letting their children deal with their own issues. Listen to them, but stand your ground. Once they see that you are a professional and you are taking care of their child, they will be less apprehensive in future encounters.

Helicopter parents are usually well-meaning parents that need to learn their boundaries. With a little practice you will learn how to clear them for a landing and get them back in the sky without raising your stress levels.

We hear the word all the time. We know it exists. We go to conferences and lectures on its prevalence in our profession. Our committee often offers advice on how to prevent it and we beg our seasoned peers to preach wisdom and to offer us their secrets of success. But no one admits to it. Or no one is around to admit to it. So I will confess to you all that I am suffering from (dun dun duuuuuun) burnout.

Now let me stand back and say to you that I am not thinking of leaving this profession. I truly love my profession, but right now I am not sure that I am loving my job. I think this time every year takes it toll on the high school athletic trainer, but for some reason, this time, is different. I'm not just hot and sweaty with aching feet and long hours.

Going back to my sport psych work in grad school, I think the more accurate descriptor of my discord would be “staleness,” the emotional problems stemming from “daily worries, anxieties, and feelings of restlessness that typically is unnamable or specific.” But the thing with staleness is that it can easily morph into this burnout phenomenon that we all know exists.

I can’t put my finger on the “it” that has me Googling PhD programs and searching the NATA website for curriculum programs; on why this month I am completely unmotivated to watch football practice or to preplan a new rehab. Maybe its because two of my best friends left coaching last year (ironically to burnout!) and I miss having them around. I miss the distraction, of not having to talk about work related stuff with an adult and the hide out they could provide with a 10-minute gab session in their offices. Or maybe its that my husband has been working as much as me the last few weeks, leaving our sleep schedules to be the only thing we are sharing. Could it be as simple as that? That I am a victim of the life-work struggle they have warned me about?

Or perhaps it is indeed the restlessness. Am I where I want to be professionally? Am I what I want to be when I grow up? As young professionals, we need to continue to encourage exploration professionally. Being a part of this organization or a committee allows us to continue to evolve from graduate to professional, but we have to recognize that it is a transition and not an absolute. I’m not sure how many of us can admit to having already scored their dream job, but the YPC is set up to help all of us transition into the athletic trainer we want to be. I know my passion and I believe I have discovered where in the athletic training profession I belong. I just now need the courage and resolve to pursue it.

One is Greater Than...

1

I am only 1 person.

1

We hear it all the time. Can 1 person really make a difference? An impact?

The song goes..."1 is the loneliest number," but I'm of the belief that 1 is the most powerful number.

It only takes 1.

4:00 minute mile...was an impossible task. It was thought that no one would ever run that fast. In 1954, with a time of 3:59.4, Roger Bannister made the impossible seem possible. Since that time the record has been broken numerous times.

1

Mt. Everest...at 29,002 ft high is a giant of inconceivable proportion. Despite dangerous obstacles, and the sure belief of others that it couldn't be done, on May 29, 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary became the first climber to reach the summit. As of this year, nearly 2500 more climbers have reached that incredible goal.

1

There are several more examples of amazing accomplishments by 1 person. Louis Pasteur, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesus Christ.

These individuals CHANGED THE WORLD.

I'm not asking you to change the world. I just want you to know that your impact can be felt in athletic training. 1 person CAN make a difference. 1 person does matter.

If every person made their own impact, think about how huge that could be!

1 is greater than none, and whatever your contribution can be, it matters.

An Athletic Trainer?

Recently, I visited a doctor's office. In casual conversation, the physician asked me what I did, and I proudly stated: "I'm an athletic trainer." To my delight she knew what an athletic trainer was and when discussing my condition(s), she used medical terms and spoke to me as a fellow healthcare professional.

I required some further testing and was sent to a phlebotomist. In casual conversation, she asked me what I did, and I proudly stated: "I'm an athletic trainer." She responded, "Yeah, I really need to get in shape....(something about working out)"

I proceeded to give her my "elevator speech" about athletic training...

"Actually, athletic trainers are in the health care field. Our focus is on the prevention, care and rehabilitation of athletic injuries of all athletes, from your high schools to the professionals and the weekend warriors. We are also first responders and have a very unique skill set from our educational programs, and it requires a degree and a certification like most allied healthcare professions."

This sparked interest and conversation. In my brief visit, I was able to educate someone new about athletic training. Goal achieved!

I would guess that nearly 1 out of every 2 people are unfamiliar with athletic trainers. What do you do when you encounter those people?

I used to say..."you know when you watch sporting events and someone gets hurt...those people that run out on the field/court...those are athletic trainers." The problem with this is while you've provided them with a point of reference, they still don't know WHAT we do.

Another hurdle is that it is difficult to correct or challenge a stranger (or even a friend), but it is necessary to continue to advance. You don't have to be confrontational or rude, just informative and personable. So I developed my "elevator speech." A short, informative blurb about athletic training that you could spit out over the course of an elevator ride. Just long enough to peak interest without boring and beating over the head ;)

Over the course of the next few months, this great job of ours will afford us the opportunity to catch up with old friends, meet new people and be missionaries of athletic training.

I challenge you to go forth and testify about athletic training!

Take advantage of opportunities to talk to the unaware about athletic training, further educate those almost in the know, and spread the good word about this amazing profession.

P.S. No worries, I'm doing fine :)

What a difference a year makes...

To think- a year ago around this time we had just started the young professionals committee (and this blog), and I remember sitting and thinking...What's Next?!

As the seasons have changed, we have grown and developed, and I look forward to what's to come!

I hope you all enjoyed your summer. It was great catching up in San Antonio and in Arlington. I'm so proud to be in District 6, we are AWESOME!

Now we are all back to the grind that is August, and while I know it is busy, I hope you will take a little time to see what is going on in SWATA and NATA as the associations never rest.

The YPC collected over 200 postcards at the SWATA annual meeting in support of our current legislation, HR 1137. This project is an easy way to get involved and the more momentum we get going the better our chances are of passing this bill this year! If you want to start this project at your work place, follow this link and the easy instructions. Keep track of the number that you send, so we can measure our impact!

For all you secondary school athletic trainers...have you heard about the NATA SS Injury Surveillance Outcomes Study? Want more information, or want to be a part of the steering committee? Go here...

Need some advice on issues you are facing in the workplace? Be sure to visit the SWATA and NATA e-Mentors. They are a great group of experienced professionals that are here to answer your questions. We will be adding new mentors, and enhancing the interface soon!

The NATA presidential election starts in September, so educate yourselves about the candidates and be prepared to cast your vote when you get your electronic ballot!

Be on the look out for more to come from the young professionals committee and SWATA. I believe this will be an exciting year for athletic training!

Again...What is going on in Austin????

Senate Bill 3 & House Bill 3

These are two pending pieces of legislation in the Texas Legislature....what does this have to do with you as an Athletic Trainer in Texas?

Both of these bills want to remove Health, PE, and Fine Arts from STATE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS. It may or may not be required by local school districts to take Health, PE or Fine Arts....that will be determined by the TEA at a later date.

This is HUGE....and the kids will start to be huge in the coming years.

Why should you care?

Last year's Fitness Gram data shows that 92% of all the high school students in Texas are unhealthy...that should concern you. (now you can argue the validity of the FG test, but those are the results)

Removal of the only two subject areas in the high school that are designed to teach people about their bodies and how to care for their body will only make those numbers worse.

If you are in the secondary schools and you teach a health class or a PE class along with your athletic training duties, this will effect you.

How can we educate the whole child when all we are going to require is Math, Science, English, Social Studies and Foreign Language? We all know that kids only take PE and Health because it is REQUIRED.

If you depend upon student trainers to help you in the athletic training room you probably use the I will get you your PE credits for working in here....well...if PE is no longer a graduation requirement....you see where this is going.

If you offer Sports Medicine 1 and Sports Medicine 2 you can still use these classes to get your student athletic trainers elective credits. In our school district we are using SM1 and SM2 as career pathways credits. If you do not offer SM 1 and SM 2 you might want to rethink that decision.

As a young professional you are probably thinking: "I do not want to ever be a part of the politics, I just want to work as an athletic trainer and go on with my life." I used to think that as well. I have learned, taught by my mentors as well as experience, that you WILL have to LEARN POLITICS if you want to have any say so in what you do as a part of your job. It is a necessary evil to protect and develop your profession.

Please contact your Texas Senators and Representatives. If you do not know who those people are....click here.... http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/

If politicians in your town, Austin ,or Washington D.C. are left unchecked you will wake up one day and wonder how did we ever get to this point???? (See the above picture)

Indecision '09

Between the H1N1 "pandemic," the UIL, Brett Favre, American Idol, and many other current issues, I'm beginning to think that GOOD decisions are hard to come by these days.

So I'm going to give you the TOP 1O list of some things that will ensure YOU make

good decisions in the coming weeks before SUMMER VACATION (if you get one!).

10. Wash your hands. I don't know why people need to be told to do this (and only because of a flu), but it is always a good idea.

9. Don't count your Pig Flu cases before the extent of the virus is known. Seriously. Close school for two weeks! No wait, it's cool, just put out a lot of hand sanitizer, and send home kids with a fever.

8. Don't retire before you know you are ready. If you do retire, don't try to come back and stick it to your old employer. It will just make people mad.

7. Don't panic. Not about anything in particular, but just in general. Really, it will all be ok.

6. Don't take advice from Paula Abdul. She had a video where she danced with a cartoon cat. Good judgment? :)

5. DO tell us if you will be attending the NATA and SWATA annual meetings! There is something in it for you, but we need to know...

4. Register for the SWATA & NATA annual meetings! Do it today! They are worth it.

3. Join Facebook (and if you are already on fb, join our group!) It is more than a silly social website, it is a great networking tool! Just be smart about what you put on it. ;)

2. VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! in the SWATA election...the numbers have increased, but not nearly enough. The ballots should be sent out once more before the election is over. Make sure your contact information is up to date with The Association to ensure you will receive all the important news and updates!

1. Take time for yourself. As the school year winds to a close and many are in the midst of spring football, don't forget to take care of you! Burn-out happens, and it will happen to you if you don't have time to focus on what is most important. YOU!

San Antonio or Bust?

Ok, so maybe bust is a bit harsh but you will definitely miss out on lots of fun (and education).

Why make the trip? Well, first, it's in our backyard. We as professionals need to not only support our organization but our district as well. We need to show the rest of the country that everything is better in Texas (and that is coming from an Alabama transplant).

Second, where else can you find everyone that you have ever gone to college with or worked in in one place? I am amazed every year by the sheer number of people that I run into. Some of it is obviously planned, like at alumni parties, but some of it is just walking through the exhibit hall (more on that later). I also like to tag along with my friends to their alumni parties and start a whole other relationship with people that I may have never met otherwise. That's really called networking - if you break down!

Third, the exhibit hall! Hello! Free stuff! Free good stuff! I love the fact that you can try all the latest and greatest products that are being offered to our profession. And, I love that the tried and true are always there too! Gatorade and Johnson and Johnson and the ever great free gift from Cramer! I know, lots of exclamation points and incomplete sentences in this paragraph but for goodness sake, it's the exhibit hall!

And last, but certainly worthy of first, is the educational content of the annual meeting. This is really the meat of the event but sometimes we get caught up in all the "fun stuff". Just looking over the preliminary schedule gets me excited about all that is out there. And you can not say that there is not something out there for you; flipping to a page in the NATA News, I just found a presentation on video gaming for rehab, therapeutic modalities, mountain biking injuries and salary negotiation and interview strategies. All of that is one morning from 10:30 to noon and it is not even all inclusive. My point is, the continuing education part of the meeting is bigger and better and should not be missed.

This ended up longer than I thought and I don't feel like I have even touched on everything. Look for information about the NATA Young Professionals events, the Welcome Reception and the Baseball night. Check out the March 2009 NATA News or http://www.nata.org/SanAntonio2009/index.htm for all the information. Hope to see you there!

The Right Image

You have spent years in school, thousands of dollars, and countless hours to earn your degree. Not to mention the money and hours spent studying and stressing over your state and national exams. Finally, you have completed everything. Now you are ready to get that first job as an athletic trainer! Woo-Hoo! It is a reason to celebrate and be excited, this is what you have been working for, you have earned it...so go get it!

You look online and see the jobs that are out there. You get that little voice of excitement when you see that job you want is posted, like it was fate. You call your staff athletic trainers at your college and they confirm that you are going to be happy at that job because they know the athletic trainer(s) that work there already and it is a good situation. You send in the resume, cover letter and all, and you get a phone call to set up an interview! YES! Then that little voice of excitement comes back in your head....what am I going to wear?

It is true. You only get one shot at a good first impression. If you just show up and think you are going to wing it, you may be winging it to the next job interview.

For many employers the first impression is EVERYTHING. Think about it. There could be 30+ people going after that same job, after all it is a really good job that is why you want it. What will set you apart from everyone else? What part of you do they see first? YOU!

"Do I need to dress in business professional when I interview? I mean I usually wear khaki pants or shorts and a polo shirt or t-shirt when I work everyday. That is acceptable attire for the job, why do I need to wear a suit and tie to interview?" I have been there. Trust me on this one, you want to look sharp. This is as much of an investment in your future as your education. If you show up looking less than memorable, then you might fall to the bottom of the pile. I know you do not have a lot of money to drop $500.00 on a suit or a dress. So shop the sales. You have a TON of khaki pants in your closet, get a matching blazer and a tie at a department store. It is better than showing up in anything less. Women, dresses or pant suits? That is up to you, but you need to dress for success. Dress does make a difference.

Have a firm handshake. When you arrive to the interview try to find a rest room where you can warm your hands under some warm water. There is only one thing worse than a limp handshake: a cold, limp handshake.

Have steady but not threatening eye contact. The expectation in America is to offer balanced eye contact. Too little and you seem to lack confidence. Too much and you're now intimidating the interviewer.

Smile! People do not want to hire someone that does not seem to want to be there. A sincere smile will show them that you want to be a part of their organization.

Turn your cell phone off during the interview. You are there to interview. Those text messages and phone calls can wait until you are finished with the interview. Placing the phone on vibrate is not a good idea because it will happen...there will be a quit time in the interview and you will actually hear it buzzing. Save yourself the embarrassment, just turn it off and leave it in the car.

Live your professional life knowing that everything communicates. How you use your name says more about you than you might think. The name Jeffrey is more formal than Jeff. When I fill out anything in a professional capacity from resumes and applications to injury reports and parent notes I sign with Jeffrey. If you place your email address as a contact on your resume, then have a professional email account. MrBiggieBaller@email.com will not get you many replies for interviews. There are plenty of free Internet email services to get a professional looking account.

Your computer world will have an effect on your professional world. We live in the cyber-world as well as the real world. Employers have the right to google your name and see what comes up. My Space, Face Book and other social network pages are fair game. If anyone can access them and see what you were doing with your buddies at a certain social event then anyone can make a judgement about you and determine if they want to hire you. Is it right? I do not know, but it is reality. It does and will happen.

Proper and polite language works! "Please," "thank you," "yes sir," "excuse me," can all show proper etiquette and that you pay attention to details. When the cell phone rings with an unfamiliar number on the caller id, remember that it could be someone calling to set up an interview so answer very politely and excuse yourself to a quieter location if your surroundings are too noisy.

You have worked so hard to get to this point...don't start slacking now! You are about to open a very exciting and new chapter to you life, give them a lasting first impression and you will do just fine.

Are you a member?

I know. It's silly (and slightly monotone). You get the point, though.
There are so many benefits to being a member of NATA & SWATA, and so few to not being a member.

I believe that behavior is learned.

I learned from my parents that I shouldn't act like a fool, especially not at church.

I learned from my teachers the value of an agile mind.

I learned from my girl scout troop that there is strength in numbers. It's hard to turn down one cute girl scout, but it's nearly impossible to turn down 5.

I learned from my mentor athletic trainers the importance of being professional, and educated, and being a part of the bigger picture.

I know that not everyone got these same lessons, but I will matriculate you now!

Be a member, and make it matter! There are big issues right now, and it is more important than ever to participate.

Are you tired of my preaching?
Well I wouldn't have to do this if we were all members, now would I? :)

If you ARE a member of NATA, then be sure to check out my blog on the NATA Young Professionals Blog about the Houston Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and athletic trainers!

What is going on in Austin?

Normally if you asked me that question I would say...probably something wierd. In fact that is the battle-cry for Austinites...Keep Austin Weird!

Well as far as I am concerned, it is business as usual in Austin and there is nothing weird about that.

In mid-March HB 4627 was introduced into legislation. Last week it was assigned to the Higher Education Committee. That is where it sits today. For how long? That is anyone's guess.

This bill will have a direct effect on you as a secondary school athletic trainer. It will require that all student athletes in a "contact sport" be required to have an annual physical and that all student athletes in a "contact sport" be required to have cognitive testing as a part of the annual physical.

If you are in a school district that requires annual physicals for all student athletes as opposed to the UIL minimum of incoming 7th, 9th and 11th grade, then this requirement is not a big deal for you. In reality, this requirement is not that big of a deal for schools like mine that have only required the minimum standards for physicals every other year and completion of physical paperwork on the non-physical years. I have fought for annual physicals for all student atheltes since I have been here and have been unsuccessful in those battles.

But there is that one little phrase "contact sport"...who is going to define a "contact sport"?

What are we to do with the sophmore girl that wants to play volleyball (non-contact) and then she wants to play soccer or basketball. Both of those sports have produced several concussions for me over the years but they could be argued that they are technically non-contact.

Remember under the rules, the sophmore girl is only required to have a physical her incoming 9th and 11th years...and she updated her paperwork before volleyball season began, but she was not required to get a doctor's exam.

Now lets look at cognitive testing...

What defines cognitive testing?

• Balance Testing?
• Computerized testing programs?
• SAC?
• Ability to pass classes?

Who is going to administer the cognitive testing?

• Physicans?
• Atheltic Trainers?
• Coaches?

These are all good questions that will be answered at somepoint if this bill becomes law.

If you want to track this bill or to read the bill as it is currently written you can click below:
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB4627

Yes, it is business as usual in Austin...the Legislature is in session...and there are always something weird that comes out of Legislative sessions!

Politics

This word often carries such a negative connotation. People get discouraged with "office politics," the "politics of friends" or even the "national politics."

I get it. Politics are annoying when you feel like it is the same people and the same type of "policy" over and over and over and over and over and over....well, you get my point.

What we need to realize is this; politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions. Politics gives small groups of people a chance to make a BIG IMPACT.

Young professionals aren't such a small group, and we can make a big impact. We are the future of athletic training (cheesy or not, it's the truth). It is my vision that in the not too distant future we will be the ones not only participating in the politics by voting, but benefiting from the politics by being elected!

I'm sure it seems like same old, same old, and why should I vote when nothing ever changes...blah blah blah, lame reason, blah blah blah. THAT IS EXACTLY WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE!!!

As the old saying goes, if you don't vote, you better not b....complain, that is.

Last year, of the 3000ish members of SWATA, only 220 voted. 2-2-0. A greater percentage of Americans vote on American Idol, or Top Chef for that matter and its not even on a major network!!

So vote! Don't just vote for a name. Actually take the time to read the platforms and vote on someone whose beliefs about the future align with your own. We have a big voice and we need to make an exclamation.

Find their bios here, and exercise your right to vote!

SWATA Second Vice President Nominees

ALSO...Did you know that there are SWATA Constitutional Changes in the works? This is another issue you will have the opportunity to vote on at the Annual Meeting in July. Check out the SWATA Executive Board Blog for more information, and see the SWATA website!

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

WHY???

Why? Why are we so afraid to ask why? Why are people offended when you ask them why? Why do you need to know why? Why do you do what you do? Why do you do it they way that you do it? Why does it work that way? Why did we start doing it that way? Why don’t you do it this way? Why is your way better than mine? These are questions I ask every day. When did the question mark become the an insult? Is it wrong to ask for an explanation? Young professionals sometimes get the impression that the older professionals are offended by us questioning things. People need to quit getting offended when someone asks for an explanation, and the other people need to quit being afraid to ask for an explanation. If there is nothing to hide, then why be offended when someone asks you to explain your self.

MY POINT!!!
You as a member of the athletic training profession need to ask "Why?" You need to know why the SWATA executive board has proposed changes to the SWATA constitution. You need to know why these changes pertain to you. You need to know why it is important for you to voice your opinion. You need know who represents you in front of the legislature. Why are you paying this money to support these organizations? Where is your money going to? Wanting to be informed is not a bad thing.


Ask your leadership why they are doing these things. Ask them to explain to you how this will affect you. If you dont like the answer they gave you, then do something about it. GET INVOLVED! If you don’t like what is going on, ask me how you can help change it. We don’t need spectators, we need participants. Your profession is changing as we speak. If you want to know what these changes are, or want to GET INVOLVED, contact the Young Professionals Committee at ypc@swata.org . We will be more than happy to get the information you are looking for. This is the only way our profession will survive, much less advance into the future.

Tim Horsley
Athletic Trainer
Fossil Ridge High School

We Have A Winner...

All we can truly say is WOW!!

(YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE VIDEO FROM WORK AS IT MAY BE BLOCKED CONTENT. IT IS, HOWEVER, DEFINITELY WORTH VIEWING!)

The SWATA Young Professionals Committee quickly put together a contest for college students for National Athletic Training Month. We asked them to put their creative caps on and create a commercial highlighting athletic trainers and what we do. We didn't give a whole lot of notice, but we were hopeful that our results would be good, but we were surprised when they were OUTSTANDING!!

Out of several entries, our committee selected the commercial from...

HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY!!

These students did a wonderful job capturing the progress of athletic training and I look forward to more to come from these future young professionals.These students will be recognized at the SWATA Annual Meeting in Arlington at the Young Professionals Session on Thursday July 23th.

We hope that you will come out and recognize their hard work and dedication to the profession of athletic training.

Great Job!

Emily Jones - Junior Snyder, Texas

Richard Martinez - Freshman Abilene, Texas

Shelby Hilliard - Freshman Comanche, Texas

Meggie Serrette - Freshman Cairo, Egypt

Adrian Palos - Sophomore Fort Worth, Texas

Directed and Edited by:

Cole Barker - Freshman Paris, Texas

Seth Manly - Freshman Hawley, Texas

Can you imagine...

2nd in the Annie Stoecklein series

Can you even imagine a world with out athletic trainers? Do you even believe it to be possible that our beloved profession would cease to exist? Could athletic trainers go the way of the dinosaurs, extinct?

I, unfortunately, do believe this to be possible. While I believe we are irreplaceable and perform a very valuable service and fill a niche in this wild and crazy health care world...I don't think everyone else believes this way. Some people STILL don't even know what the heck it is we do.

THAT SCARES ME.

This is why we fight for our profession. This is why there are so many people that volunteer for what is often a completely thankless and tireless Executive Board position or committee position. Are we all participating in the manner and amount that we should? Do you think you are doing all you can for the athletic training profession?

Consider the following example...

You are employed at a clinic, college, insert setting here, and you have a new administrator. This administrator is charged with "cutting the fat" from your department. He's never heard of an athletic trainer, and calls you to the carpet to justify your position. Could you do it?

What if he says, "I can hire someone with less education and experience for half the salary that can do the same thing you do?"

What if he says, "You can't bill for your services, and aren't recognized by medicare as a health care professional, how are you making money for this department?"

Do you believe this to be an unreal situation? In this economy?

IT'S NOT!

Make sure you use this month and every other opportunity you are given to really spread the word about your profession. We are gaining respect, but we are nowhere near finished. We have just begun what is a long war against ignorance and the uneducated.

I believe we WILL win this war, but I know it is going to take an army.

Good thing we have one in SWATA and NATA.

Your challenge for today is to visit the NATA legislative action center and contact your state Representative regarding our legislation HR 1137: ATEAM

Follow this link:

SUPPORT ATHLETIC TRAINING LEGISLATION

National Athletic Training Month-4

People for the Advancement of Athletic Traini… » Make Your Own Quiz

National Athletic Training Month Trivia-3

People for the Advancement of Athletic Traine… » Make Your Own Quiz

A World Without Athletic Trainers...

A World Without Athletic Trainers...What an AWFUL thought!

Annie Stoecklein is a senior student (and future young professional) from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She created several great flyers for National Athletic Training Month, which she has graciously shared with me to share with you! I think they really illustrate some of the impact that we have, that many of our athletes, and patients may take for granted.

I wanted to highlight her work here (I had to make the files into a picture format for them to work on the blog, but if you want the .pdf of the posters, let me know and I will share). Thanks, Annie! Great work :)

Great job on the first quiz, we had several people with perfect scores. Keep up the good work and recruit more participants!!

Hope everyone has a great week!

National Athletic Training Month Trivia-2

People for the Advancement of Athletic Traine… » Quiz School

National Athletic Training Month Trivia-1

People for the Advancement of Athletic Traini… » Quiz Question Maker

For National Athletic Training Month, I'm creating a new organization!!

PAAT or People for the Advancement of Athletic Training.

I hope to create a quiz bi-weekly that will increase knowledge about athletic trainers and what we do. Fill out the quiz each time, and those with the highest scores at the end of the month will be entered to win prizes, like restaurant gift cards, Best Buy gift cards and more!

Send this blog to everyone you know, and lets advance athletic training!!

In addition to our athletic training specific trivia, check out our NATM trivia tournament for March. It's just something fun to do and will hopefully spread the word about our cause...The winner of the tournament will also win a prize!

HAPPY NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINING MONTH!!

Each New Year's Eve, I ring in a beginning, and ponder what's to come. The freshness of January quickly gives way to a seriously busy February and is all too immediately followed by National Athletic Training Month, also known as, March.

I, like many other athletic trainers, am proud of what I do and work hard year round to advance our profession. While I don't need one month to practice making others aware, it is a fun time to do unique projects and build the public's perception and knowledge of athletic training.

Last year at this time, I searched "National Athletic Trainers Month," to see what others were doing and what kind of attention our efforts were getting. I was all too disappointed when this satirical blog came up. Don't bother leaving a comment as this post is 3 years old, but do read the comments of some of your peers as well as others, one of whom states that athletic training is..."some random occupation I've never heard of."


In addition to the words on this blog, there are some images that may be funny, but are seriously detrimental to our cause:











and












I am, by no means, an athletic trainer, or individual that takes herself too seriously, but these types of "satire" do nothing for our advancement.

I challenge each of us to at least do something during this National Athletic Training Month that will help our beloved profession be better recognized.
It can be something so small as always saying "Athletic Trainer" instead of "trainer," or dressing professionally, or even including the NATM logo and an explanation of athletic training in all your e-mails.

The SWATA Young Professionals Committee is hosting a bi-weekly trivia contest, as well as a fun trivia tournament for all people interested (not just athletic trainers). There are cool, not athletic training related, prizes involved, so keep coming to the blog, check your e-mail and spread the word!

Hit the Hill

First, I know why I love living in Texas; Washington DC was cold. However, it was eventful and well worth the cold nose. I was fortunate this year that Hit the Hill was held in conjunction with the Athletic Training Educator's Conference so I had two good excuses to miss work.

I will admit that I was a little nervous about Monday and the unexpected. On Sunday, we were briefed thoroughly by our lobbying firm, Drinker, Biddle and Reath and on Monday, nine buses pulled away from the Gaylord and headed to the steps of the Capitol (well, as close to the steps as you can get now). Texas was represented by approximately 32 athletic trainers from all settings (look for that picture soon!) We spent the day in the offices of our representatives and our senators asking for their support of the Athletic Trainers' Equal Access to Medicare (ATEAM) bill and asking if they would make a Congressional Record Statement in support of the role that athletic trainers play. We also asked the House of Representatives to join the Congressional Fitness Caucus that boosts the understanding of the role that physical activity has on a healthy lifestyle.

While we never got a solid "YES" from any of the assistants that we spoke to, the people that my group met seemed positive about the outlook and they definitely learned about athletic training. Going into the day, I was really unsure about how it would all go but I am excited that I was able to take part in such an amazing day. I think that all of our voices need to be heard. Over the course of the next few weeks there will be lots of talk about the new bill. Take a few minutes and send an email to your representatives and senators asking for their support.

More information can be found at http://capwiz.com/nata/home/

Days go by...

Can you believe it is already FEBRUARY 11th? 42 days down, only 323 to go! It feels like only yesterday we were ringing in the new year, and NOW we are in the throes of our spring seasons making a push towards spring break.

Ahhh, SPRING BREAK! Just happens to fall in March, which is also NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINING MONTH. This time, NATA’s tagline is the theme: “Health Care for Life & Sport.” It emphasizes the medical component of the athletic training profession, while recognizing the array of athletic training work settings.


Some tips from NATA to remember when promoting our beloved profession:

Always refer to yourself as a “certified athletic trainer” or “athletic trainer.” State this clearly when talking with others. Never use the term “trainer.” In doing so, you are not distinguishing yourself and your peers from personal trainers.

Reinforce that athletic trainers are health care professionals who work in a variety of
settings and with all kinds of people — not just athletes.

Have you started thinking about what you can do to promote athletic training in March?

There are some awesome tools on the NATA website (members only) for you to use when putting together your ideas including:
Logos
Athletic Training e-Card
NATA Brochures/Videos/Books
Athletic Trainers -- Not "Trainers" Fact Sheet
Sample Media Alert
Sample News Release
Sample Proclamation
Sample Public Service Announcements

The SWATA Young Professionals Committee is working on a project to promote professionalism among athletic trainers in March, and you can win PRIZES, so be on the look out for more details about that in the coming weeks!

DON'T FORGET!!! NATA Hit the Hill Day is February 23, 2009. While we may not all be able to attend, there are still ways to get involved, and support legislation that effects athletic trainers. Check out the NATA Governmental Affairs and Legislative Alert Center, and be on the lookout for information from the NATA Young Professionals Committee on an upcoming effort.

Making Summer Plans?

To most of us, the mention of summer plans makes us start daydreaming of sandy beaches without a cell phone and zero athletes or even the simplest leisure of hibernating in our own homes without a cell phone and zero athletes. But whatever your ideal summer might consist of, we all need to carve out a time for the NATA convention here in our home region.

You may have been contacted by the NATA to serve as a volunteer in the hosting and preparation of the convention in San Antonio. We encourage you to sign up for this opportunity. By giving as little as 10 hours, you can receive a discount on your registration fees. Feeling a little strapped in today's economy? You can volunteer 40 hours and get the entire registration fee reimbursed.

After the volunteer list is complete, there will be a follow-up email that will allow you to sign up for particular times and days that work well for you. When this sign up sheet is made available we, as the YPC, will designate a time for us to get together to volunteer as a group. It will be a great chance to work together and socialize. As athletic trainers, we are champions of multitasking! And I'm sure for all of our hard work, we can reward ourselves with additional socializing on the River Walk. :)

So be on the lookout for both of these. If you need help, don't hesitate to contact anyone of us to get you connected with those who can help you get involved.

The Soundtrack to our efforts...

If you are like me, then music helps you through the long days and even longer nights. Music has a way of making time go by faster, and punctuating life's important and unimportant moments.

I can relate many things in my life back to a song that was playing, and I often reminisce about people, places or things while listening.


For this reason, I think that my message today can be illustrated by some great music. All the links are clickable to the songs I've selected for my points. I've also included a list at the bottom :) (Please pardon the cheesy lengths I go to at some points to make it work.)

I want you to want to want to get involved in our professional organizations. Got something on your mind? Don't let it be! Tell us about it and make your voice heard. It's a great day to be an athletic trainer, and an even better day for you to stand up and take ownership of the future of our associations. Don't be an independent! We are better and stronger as a group. So come together, right now, and let's change the world (of athletic training).

OK, enough with the stretching. Seriously, though, now is the best time for young professionals to step up. The experienced professionals have created many opportunities for us to participate, and the young professionals committee is working to create more all the time. Let us know what you want. What do you think SWATA should be doing? What would motivate you to be a member, volunteer, vote, etc?

There is currently an opening on the SWATA Board for Second Vice President, and they are accepting nominations. Is there any reason why a young professional couldn't step up and try for this position? Nope. Is there anyone who is interested in representing the young professionals on the SWATA Board?

In other news, I've fixed the comment moderation thing, so all of your comments will be posted as soon as you type them. I'm still figuring this whole blog thing out. Check out the new athletic training-centered blogs that were recommended by a comment to Jeff's recent post. Great resources for young professionals.

*Song List:

I Want You To Want Me- Cheap Trick

Let it Be- The Beatles

Tell Her About It- Billy Joel

It's a Great Day to Be Alive- Travis Tritt

Stand Up (for it)- Dave Matthews Band

Independent- Webbie

Stronger- Kanye West

Come Together- Beatles (covered by Delbert McClinton)

Change The World- Eric Clapton

Networking for Dummies...Kinda

I cannot claim to be able to publish this info in the famous yellow "...for Dummies" books, but I hope to offer you 10 ways to get to know your fellow LATs/ATCs.

1. You must begin with the end in mind.

What is it that you are trying to accomplish? Are you looking to become a future president of SWATA or NATA, are you wanting to be on a committee and serve your profession, are you wanting to just to get to know other athletic trainers in your area and in the state? You have to decide what is the reason to make this network of people and start from there.

2. What kind of athletic trainers should I network with?

All kinds of athletic trainers. My dad used to tell me that I should be polite with everyone, I never know when I will need their help one day. Get to know those network spiders, those people that seem to know everyone. Be prepared to help people you want to network with, after all you are wanting them to help you.

3. Don't be afraid to meet new people.

Do you fear networking because you are not a "people person"? Chances are you have been in this situation before and you just did not realize it. Think back to when you started in college as that young and eager student athletic trainer. You probably did not know anyone in the training room, but somehow you managed to get to know people. You already have something in common, you both are athletic trainers. We all have stories to share and tales to tell to help break the ice and get to know one another.

4. Baby steps will lead to great strides.

Start with your alumni group of your university or college. You have two things in common with those people, you are athletic trainers and you both went to the same school...voi·là you have some conversation starters that will probably keep you off task for a while! Once you get to know your fellow alumni, you can get to know people that they know when you attend meetings and conventions.

5. Begin in familiar surroundings.

Talking with other LATs/ATCs in your school's district or conference is another great way to get some conversations started with people you do not know very well. Attend the district events like cross country meets, track meets, wrestling meets, etc. where you will be able to work in a common medical area and be open for conversation.

6. Make a district or conference contact list.

Use the list to talk with other LATs/ATCs about the upcoming events. Call them the days before the big games to let them know what you will provide for their visit and you will usually share a few minutes of what is going on in the district before you hang up the phone. Many times the basic conversations will lay the foundation for more complex conversations down the road.

7. Make time to talk before the game begins.

Do not be afraid to make a contact with the LATs/ATCs from the opposing teams. You can use this time to make sure everyone has what they need (if you are the host team), spell out the emergency plans of the stadium, and see what is going on in their part of the world. Remember people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.

8. Earn CEUs from all over.

Do not be afraid to break away from the same 'ole routine when it comes to meetings and conferences. Go to different meetings to obtain your CEUs. Make it your goal to attend a meeting in a different part of the state every year until you have been in every different region of your state. Attend the social aspect of the conferences that you are attending. Many conferences offer mixers after a long day of meeting to blow off some steam and get to know people in a more relaxed atmosphere.

9. Get involved in your profession.

Volunteer with your local or regional organization like GHATS, CTATS, BVATS, NTATS, VATA, ETATA, CBATS, SCATA. TSATA and AATA are working hard for you and I am sure that they can use your help if you are willing to volunteer your time. Of course SWATA and NATA are looking for volunteers for various committees and groups. Volunteering is the fastest way to get to know all kinds of LATs/ATCs from all over your region, state, or the nation.

10. Tech options for the talking impaired.

You can visit many different blogs and message boards offered by NATA, SWATA, and TSATA. These are great ways to ask people questions and to lay the foundation for talking to people, but you cannot be afraid to pick up a phone or shake some hands to really establish those relationships. Visit the different websites to link with these resources.