2011 Election-District Director (4 of 5)

What are some ideas you have to keep YPs in the profession?

Mike Carroll-Head Athletic Trainer, Stephenville High School

Keeping YPs in the profession is imperative.  To be able to do this the YPs must be able to adequately do their job and manage their life at the same time.  Whether it is YPs, students or older athletic trainers it is vital that the association give members benefits that meet or exceed the cost of membership.  For the YPs benefits that will help to keep them in the profession should include networking to know that they are not alone in their problems.  Educational sessions at district and national meetings that will increase the breadth and depth of their knowledge are also important as this will increase the YPs ability to do their job.

Bucky Taylor-Athletic Trainer, Mesquite ISD

I think that we need to provide better insight and training into the day to day challenges of the profession.  Young professionals enter the profession today with a much better knowledge base of how to provide care for their athletes.  However, I am not sure that they have a realistic idea of the expectations and demands they face on the job.  During some point during their training and during the first few years on the job, this issue needs to be addressed.  Many good young professionals leave the profession because they do not have safety nets or means to address daily issues.  For the athletic training profession to continue to grow, our professional organization should address this area and provide solutions.

Kathy Dieringer- Athletic Trainer/Co-Owner, D&D Sports Med
I believe question #3 speaks to this issue somewhat, in that as our profession improves our working conditions and salaries (life balancing), fewer athletic trainers will leave the profession for other areas of healthcare.  Additionally, we have to keep young professionals engaged through increased committee membership and involvement.  Through involve/evolve young professional participation has improved, but we need to take it a step further by requiring committee chairs to choose young professionals as a percentage of their committee membership.  As a former SWATA committee chair and current NATA committee chair, I know how difficult this can be as choosing a committee member who is well known and has proven him/herself is more comfortable.  The benefit I see is the ability of the young professional to see things from a different perspective-many call it "thinking outside the box," but I prefer to call it "making your box bigger."  Anytime I can listen to various perspectives on an issue, from the young professional to the retired member, I benefit both as a committee chair and as a professional.  I also enjoy the energy that this type of environment provides during brainstorming or planning sessions.

Ron Carroll-Head Athletic Trainer, Arkansas State University

Young professionals need value for their membership.  YP’s need to experience fulfillment and satisfaction in the profession of athletic training.  YP’s need involvement in the YP Committees on the National, District, State and Local level for a voice in athletic training issues.  Entry level curriculums need to provide realistic clinical experiences for different athletic training career settings.  The athletic training profession needs to continue to pursue different forms of revenue and compensation for athletic trainers.  Minimum standards of care that continue to be stressed will improve the daily responsibilities of athletic trainers.  Networking at all levels of athletic training gatherings will assist the YP in being the best athletic trainer they can and open numerous opportunities in their career of athletic training.