"UNEMPLOYMENT" - The Steps Necessary For Change
Chad Gordon, BA
Graduate Student
Department of Exercise Physiology
The College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN 55811
My little sister Sarah was your typical college student, a hard working
young woman who for four years balanced part-time work and a full-time
college schedule. Majoring in nursing, Sarah attended Winona State
University through the school season, and then returned home to Forest
Lake where she worked as a nursing assistant during the summers.
After four years of hard work and determination, Sarah graduated with a
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, and became employed by Minnesota Gastroenterology
P.A. in less than one week! Although she experienced limited responsibilities
during the first two months of her employment, she became a licensed nurse
and now excels at her full-time position.
I, on the other hand, also earned a four-year degree from The College
of St. Scholastica in Duluth Minnesota. I majored in exercise physiology.
Four years straight I worked a part-time job while maintaining my studies.
Of course, my goal was full-time employment after graduation. Since
graduation, in May of 1999, I can happily say I have five wonderful years
of professional service in the rental business.
After graduation, I struggled for two years to find employment opportunities
utilizing my degree in exercise physiology, only to continually come up
a dollar short, and a day late. Finally, in 2001, Boom Town Fitness,
a fitness facility, employed me, as a personal trainer. Although
I had brighter expectations following college, I was more than ready to
use the knowledge gained through my exercise physiology studies.
Teaching health and wellness has been an enjoyable experience and at times
challenging. However, three years of working two full-time jobs have
left me searching for that full-time opportunity I was looking for five
years earlier.
I’m not surprised. On any given Sunday I can search the “health
care” want ads found in the career section of the morning paper, and marvel
at the amount of nursing and physical Tterapy jobs available. Where
are the jobs related to exercise physiology? To my surprise, I recently
had the opportunity to apply for an echocardiography technician position
at the local hospital. This position required a minimum two years
of health and wellness related education or three years of professional
experience in a health care related field. Since I currently was
not an employee of this facility, I had to wait until all internal candidates
were interviewed before I could have an interview for consideration.
I never received the phone call inviting me for an interview, but to their
credit, I did receive a wonderful letter informing me that my resume would
remain on file for future considerations! Obviously I would have
difficulties finding employment at the local hospital, unless of course
I applied for the entry-level positions guaranteeing me minimum wage!
Don’t misunderstand me, I know about the importance of starting a position
at the bottom of the ladder, however, at 27, I’m beginning to wonder.
I know exercise physiology is not one of the ‘premier’ health care fields
because if this field were, then more career opportunities would be more
readily available. What now? I believe the ASEP is our ticket
and way! The American Society of Exercise Physiologists was
created in 1997 as the true banner for the field of Exercise Physiology.
From the start, the ASEP leadership developed its own Code of Ethics, online
journals to share research and information about professionalism, a public
forum to introduce ideas and concerns and, most importantly, the first-ever
certification for "Exercise Physiologists." Clearly, the ASEP organization
is here to help all Exercise Physiologists. The leaders are paving
the path towards the realization that the ‘professionalism’ of exercise
physiology is not only important, but also necessary.
Where was I in 1997? I was a junior at The College of St. Scholastica,
majoring in exercise physiology. Since the inception of ASEP, it
is obvious that my professional downfall may have been improved had I been
more involved in the ASEP organization of exercise physiologists.
But, what’s done is done, and all I can do is look ahead to what I hope
to be a brighter future. While the future still remains uncertain,
with a persistent approach from those of us who are committed to exercise
physiology, the field can (and will) grow. It will become an integral
health care profession in the United States.
A friend once told me that: “a guy can’t have too many ways to make
a living.” Lately I have been pondering this statement more each
day. But, first, who or what is an exercise physiologist needs an
answer? Exercise physiology can be defined in many ways. For
the moment, I will use the definition of exercise physiology as described
by the U.S. Department of Labor [1].
“Develop, implement, and coordinate exercise program and administer
tests, under physician’s supervision, to program participants to promote
physical fitness. Records heart activity, using electrocardiograph
(EKG) machine, while participant undergoes stress test on treadmill, under
physician’s supervision. Measures oxygen consumption and lung functioning,
using spirometer. Measures amount of fat in body, using hydrostatic
scale, skin-fold calipers, and tape measure to assess body composition.
Performs routine laboratory tests of blood samples for cholesterol level
and glucose tolerance. Conducts individual and follow-up exercise
prescriptions for participants, following a physician’s recommendation,
specifying equipment, such as treadmill, track, or bike. Demonstrates
correct use of exercise equipment and exercise routines. Interprets
test results. Observes participants during exercise for signs of
stress. Teaches behavior modification classes, such as stress management,
weight control, and related subjects. Interviews participants to
obtain vital statistics and medical history and records information.
Explains program and test procedures to participants. Schedules other
examinations and tests, such as physical examination, chest X ray, and
urinalysis. Records test data in participant’s record. Orders
material and supplies. Adjusts and calibrates exercise equipment,
using hand tools.”
From what I can see, the field of exercise physiology definitely has more
than one way to make a living! The different employment opportunities
in the field of exercise physiology can span many different avenues regarding
health and wellness, rehabilitation, and athletic performance. The
obvious problem is the scarce source of employment opportunities.
That, or the overwhelming trend to refer to an exercise physiologist as
a ‘super’ trainer only fit for the fitness community. There are over
78 million people who fit the description of the baby boomer [1], yet the
question still remains: "How will Exercise Physiologists help them?"
It seems to me that the main obstacle blocking the success of exercise
physiology is the pending development of exercise physiology professionally.
Professional development through the ASEP can only go as far as the belonging
members. The increase in the professional development of exercise
physiology can one day lead to future jobs that include athletics and sports
training, academia and research, community health, fitness and wellness,
clinical and medical rehabilitation, government and military, business
and consultant, private practice, sports nutrition, and international consultant
[1]. If employment is inevitable for the Exercise Physiologist, then
all exercise physiologists need to be willing to adapt to changes.
The first change necessary for the continued success of exercise
physiology is the increase in team players! The players on
any given team improve when everyone works together. This includes
the exercise physiology student, the bachelor’s prepared exercise physiologist,
the master’s prepared exercise physiologist, and the doctorate prepared
exercise physiologist.
Recently I read a book written by Dr. Tommy Boone entitled: “Professional
Development of Exercise Physiology.” Dr. Boone came to the conclusion
that in terms of academic credibility, the bachelor prepared exercise physiologist
is academically prepared [1]. Further reading disclosed that some
doctorate prepared exercise physiologists feel that exercise Ppysiologists
at the bachelor’s level weren’t necessary exercise physiologists.
I found this to be somewhat disturbing since I earned a four-year degree
in exercise physiology!
Dr. Boone calls for the change in thinking for all exercise physiologists
simply by understanding that an exercise physiologist is a person who has
earned a exercise physiology degree. ASEP needs more team players!
From the beginning exercise physiologist to the experienced exercise physiologist,
only together can change happen. It makes sense. Nursing, physical
therapy and occupational therapy all have their own professional organizations
with their best interests in mind. For exercise physiology to evolve
as a true profession, exercise physiologists need to work toward building
the team. If building includes spreading the word of the ASEP to
colleagues, classmates, and clients, all of us need to reach out to ASEP
so that we can, collectively, grow personally and professionally.
The second change necessary for the success of exercise physiology
is the certification of all exercise physiologists through the ASEP.
The ASEP-Exercise Physiologist Certified (EPC) is a voluntary examination
that is granted on completion of an educational program in exercise physiology
[1]. The certification provides an EPC-Exercise Physiologist the
professional distinction from every non-exercise physiology certification
available. As the ASEP organizations continues to establish academic
standards for all exercise physiology academic programs across the country,
the importance of becoming an ASEP-EPC becomes even greater.
For exercise physiologists to surface from underneath the sports medicine
banner, exercise physiologists need to become Exercise Physiology "certified."
The main problem I have with certification is the fact that exercise physiologists
are in competition with the with “so called” certified fitness trainers.
There are literally hundreds of certifications in the fitness community.
In fact, it is my opinion that one day, the ASEP will have to discuss this
growing trend of non-prepared exercise physiologists becoming personal
trainers. I don’t question the passion of these people, however,
I do question non-exercise physiology people performing duties of an educated
exercise physiologist.
The third change necessary for the success of exercise physiology
is the new exercise physiology is entrepreneurial [2]. Previously
stated, exercise physiology expands into many areas including health and
wellness, rehabilitation, and athletic performance. With certification,
one day exercise physiologists will have the opportunity to open new facilities
relating to stress testing, cardiac rehabilitation, research, sports specific
training, and health and wellness. If this growing trend of “personal
trainer fever” continues, exercise physiologists will need to take health
and wellness in a direction never seen before by the public. A specific
integrated facility headlined by accredited, certified, exercise physiologists
may be the only cure for “personal trainer fever.” Although exercise
physiologists are required to be certified personal trainers now, exercise
physiology will one day be the only ticket to one-on-one fitness instruction.
The fourth change necessary for the success of exercise physiology
is the continued improvement of the bachelor’s level class. Speaking
from experience, college students pursuing a career in exercise physiology
need to become involved very early on! Every year a new class of
exercise physiologists is let go into the real world, and every year countless
exercise physiologists are still unemployed. College students need
to become more aware of the importance of professional experience in the
workplace. I believe professors should place professional exposure
high on their academic curriculum. Moreover, having been a college
student, I missed these opportunities, therefore, current students should
be willing to participate in the different areas of exercise physiology.
Working, or even volunteering at local hospitals and fitness centers allow
young exercise physiologists the opportunity to not only relate current
Exercise Physiology material, but also the opportunity to generate new
ideas for the future success of exercise physiology. With the support
of the ASEP leadership, the academic curriculum of all the exercise physiology
programs across the country will not only continue to evolve but graduate
more academically accredited exercise physiologists as well.
The passion of all exercise physiologists has never been in doubt.
Exercise physiologists deserve to have their own professional organization
representing them to help create employment opportunities and professional
distinction. If and when all exercise physiologists come together
as a whole, the profession will grow. Hence, the professionalization
of exercise physiology involves all of us becoming more active. Being
active includes:
-
Becoming an ASEP member
-
Becoming Exercise Physiology Certified (EPC)
-
Learning to think as business men and women, and
-
Improving the education of future Exercise Physiologists
Being passive is no longer an option. For members of exercise physiology
to advance in the health care field and generate more employment opportunities,
we must work together to educate all Americans as to what is exercise physiology.
These suggested changes are just a stepping-stone to the amount of work
all Exercise physiologists need to endure to keep the ball rolling.
These steps of course take time, work, and may even involve some type of
risk. My friend was right, there is more than one way to make a living.
Together, through hard work and sacrifice, exercise physiologists will
one day help secure exercise physiology as the dominant field in
the areas of health and wellness, rehabilitation, and athletic performance.
For our main goal will be to employ all exercise physiologists and reserve
our rights as a credible and respected professionals.
References
1. Boone, T. (2001). Professional Development of Exercise Physiology.
Lewiston, New York: The Edwin Mellen Press.
2. Boone, T. (2002). GRAVITY INVERSION: A Teaching Tool For Integrating
Critical Thinking And Cardiovascular Physiology. Professionalization
of Exercise Physiologyonline. 5:11: [Online].
http://faculty.css.edu/tboone2/asep/GravityInversionANDExercisePhysiology.html
