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