Career path for the strength/conditioning professional.The strength and conditioning profession has certainly burgeoned over the past 30 years in both supply and demand. Running parallel with this progress has been the heightened interest by many young people in career opportunities in the field. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In response to these many questions, I would like to offer suggestions and personal experiences that will be informative and serve as a guide. Before doing so, however, I would like to make some important acknowledgments to the many individuals for their unwavering contributions to the profession and stamping them with credibility and integrity. Two individuals who have been in the trenches since the genesis of modem day strength and conditioning and are arguably the forefathers forefathers npl → antepasados mpl forefathers npl → ancêtres mpl forefathers npl → Vorfahren of the profession--Boyd Epley and Dan Riley--are still going strong and contributing as much as ever to its continual growth and development. Epley, who was an integral part of five national championships during his 34-year stint with the Nebraska Cornhuskers The Nebraska Cornhuskers (often abbreviated to Huskers) is the name given to several sports teams of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The university is a member of the Big 12 Conference[2] and is currently the Director of Coaching Performance for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA NSCA National Systems Contractors Association NSCA National Strength & Conditioning Association NSCA National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection (UK) NSCA National Street Car Association NSCA Nebraska Sprint Car Association ), an organization he founded in 1978. Riley's unparalleled resume includes a highly successful run at Penn State and three Super Bowl victories with the Washington Redskins
During their tenures, these highly respected individuals witnessed the rapid acceleration of the strength and conditioning coaching profession to its status as a permanent fixture in athletics. All of us in the profession owe tremendous gratitude to these strength and conditioning pioneers for paving the way for the thousands of practitioners who have followed. CULTIVATING A STRONG EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND Young people with aspirations of entering the field have asked me for a checklist of requirements and qualifications to help with their planning. With all due respect to certification programs and the wealth of organizations that offer them, the paramount variable in cementing a credible vita is your educational background. Administrators who are meticulous with their homework in examining strength/conditioning coaching candidates look first to education. They want to be assured that the person they eventually hire has successfully completed the challenges of extensive academic disciplines and relative course work. The curriculum should be under the auspice aus·pice n. pl. aus·pi·ces 1. also auspices Protection or support; patronage. 2. A sign indicative of future prospects; an omen: Auspices for the venture seemed favorable. of physical education and/or kinesiology kinesiology Study of the mechanics and anatomy of human movement and their roles in promoting health and reducing disease. Kinesiology has direct applications to fitness and health, including developing exercise programs for people with and without disabilities, preserving , and ideally with an emphasis in exercise science. Following is a short list of some of the more valuable areas of study that would underpin a strong academic track for the strength/conditioning professional: * Human Anatomy Human anatomy is primarily the scientific study of the morphology of the adult human body.[1] It is subdivided into gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy.[1] : Structure and Function * Sport and Exercise Physiology exercise physiology n. The study of the body's metabolic response to short-term and long-term physical activity. * Biomechanics of Athletic Movement * Kinesiology * Research Methodologies: Tests and Measurements * Motor Learning: Concepts and Applications * Principles and Practices in Athletic Training athletic training Sports medicine The practice of physical conditioning and reconditioning of athletes and prevention of injuries incurred by athletes. See Athlete, Athletic trainer. * Coaching and Sports Psychology * First Aid: Injury Care and Prevention A few recommended electives would be courses in Guidance and Counseling guidance and counseling, concept that institutions, especially schools, should promote the efficient and happy lives of individuals by helping them adjust to social realities. , Sports Administration, and Sports Law The laws, regulations, and judicial decisions that govern sports and athletes. Sports law is an amalgam of laws that apply to athletes and the sports they play. It is not a single legal topic with generally applicable principles. (litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. involving sports activities) that give you perspectives and a wide-range of protocols for dealing with issues outside of the training environment. Again, this is not an all-inclusive list of courses, but ones that would certainly rate very high with every practitioner. A minimum of a bachelor's degree in a physical education/exercise science area of emphasis will normally be required for a high school position, with a master's degree master's degree n. An academic degree conferred by a college or university upon those who complete at least one year of prescribed study beyond the bachelor's degree. Noun 1. preferred for the collegiate level. The graduate level editions of the aforementioned courses are obviously much more fine-tuned and detailed, require more lab and practical setting work, demand more research-oriented readings, and are very heavy-handed regarding written manuscripts and reports. Note: Those intent on working at the collegiate or professional levels understand that the majority of administrators and/or general managers are adamant about hiring individuals with advanced degrees (master's degree or higher) for both credibility and public relations public relations, activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most purposes. Certifications with credible organizations are certainly beneficial. Just be sure to do some research on the organization to verify that their certification program is prestigious, widely recognized, and suggested/required by potential employers. FIELD AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES At some point during your academic career, usually toward the end, you should serve an internship internship /in·tern·ship/ (in´tern-ship) the position or term of service of an intern in a hospital. internship, n the course work or practicum conducted in a professional dental clinic. in a strength/conditioning setting suitable to your goals. In many programs, this is a requirement for academic credit. If not, you should seek to find one--even if it is on a volunteer basis--for field experience. Remember: The more hands-on experience you accrue as an adjunct to the austerity of academia, the more marketable you will become. At Michigan State, we interview at least 8-10 intern intern /in·tern/ (in´tern) a medical graduate serving in a hospital preparatory to being licensed to practice medicine. in·tern or in·terne n. candidates every academic year, and bring aboard as many as 5-8 of them to assist us with training the diverse composite of athletes in our athletic department. In return, they receive academic credit, a wealth of field experience, and a nice piece to help them build a resume. A highly recommended step after receiving your bachelor's degree is to seek a graduate assistantship--either at your alma mater, or elsewhere. Keep in mind that these positions are relatively few compared to the influx of individuals seeking them. To be prudent in getting a head start, you should mail cover letters and resumes to prospective programs as early as the last semester of your junior year. These should be followed-up with occasional e-mails and/or typed letters to the specific individual(s) involved in that department or on the search committee. (Note: Check Tip From The Trenches for more vitals vi·tals pl.n. 1. The vital body organs. 2. The parts that are essential to continued functioning, as of a system. on this aspect of the job search.) FINAL REP My personal trek to becoming a strength/conditioning coach didn't precisely follow the presented road map. Upon graduating with my bachelor's degree in health education and physical education, I went directly into high school teaching and coaching for 10 years. I taught classes in health/physical education and had the privilege of being an assistant football coach, head wrestling coach, and assistant track/field coach during that span. Additionally, I did a lot of the strength/conditioning work with our athletes--as full-time positions for the high school level were non-existent. As a matter of fact, during that period (mid-seventies to early eighties), there really wasn't much of a true strength/conditioning profession at any level. Even though it was an unconventional journey, I would not trade even one of those years spent at the high school level for anything. That experience was invaluable to me in so many important ways, and there is no doubt whatsoever that I am a better coach for having done it. From there, I followed the career template described earlier. My point is that it is never too late to enter the field if it is truly something that is in your mind and heart, and if your educational and career backgrounds are properly aligned, to make the transition. I would be more than happy to answer questions you might have on any aspect of career planning in the strength/conditioning field. Just drop me an e-mail and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. By Ken Mannie, Head Strength/Conditioning Coach Michigan State University Michigan State University, at East Lansing; land-grant and state supported; coeducational; chartered 1855. It opened in 1857 as Michigan Agricultural College, the first state agricultural college. RELATED ARTICLE: TIP FROM THE TRENCHES Suggestions for the graduate assistant/job hunt: As I mentioned, get your "feelers" out early. Pick your top choices and send a cover letter, resume, and at least four rock-solid references comprised of individuals who will be able to attest to your abilities and character in the coaching setting. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Good reference choices are coaches, teachers, professors, camp directors, etc. Your former bosses at the car wash and corner bar and grill might be great guys, but they are irrelevant references for one of these positions (yes, I've received a few of those). Even if no job openings have been posted at these universities or organizations, you want to be way head of the resume onslaught in the event an opening arises. A wise coach once told me, "Don't wait until the game is sold-out before you start looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. tickets." Here is another gem from a great mentor and the best editor in the universe, Coach & AD's own Herman L. Masin--mail your correspondence flat. Of course, Mr. Masin is referring to manuscripts, but this is also a great recommendation for your initial cover letter/resume mailing. No one likes to deal with several pages of sloppily folded information that barely fits into a letter-sized envelope. Believe me; you strip-off the professional edge and look of the material before it is even read when you "crumple crum·ple v. crum·pled, crum·pling, crum·ples v.tr. 1. To crush together or press into wrinkles; rumple. 2. To cause to collapse. v.intr. 1. and cram." And remember, this information will most likely be filed (hopefully for you) in a neat, flat cabinet folder with your name on it. Cardinal resume rules: Personalize every single shred of your correspondence. Never send a form cover letter. I know athletic directors and coaches who will immediately toss informally "To Whom it May Concern" addressed correspondence into the recycle bin Starting with Windows 95, a simulated garbage can used for deleting files and folders. The recycle bin keeps the files intact in case the user wants to restore them, but can be "emptied" from time to time to save disk space. . Along those lines, always use the individual's correct title whenever addressing him/her anywhere in the correspondence. You've never met the individual; so do not assume that you are on a first name basis. Follow-ups via e-mail or typed (never handwritten hand·write tr.v. hand·wrote , hand·writ·ten , hand·writ·ing, hand·writes To write by hand. [Back-formation from handwritten.] Adj. 1. ) letters are fine, just don't overdo it. Be persistent, but don't be a nuisance. Once every 3-4 weeks will suffice. Unless you are contacted and asked to do so, phone calls are usually unnecessary, and can be uncomfortable for both parties. If they are even the least bit interested, they will call you first. Ken Mannie (mannie@ath.msu.edu) |
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