PDFE 7

List five skills that you can perform with a relatively high level of proficiency: 

1.  Running

2.  Swimming

3.  Horse riding abilities

4.  Rowing

5.  Biking

For one of these skills, create an ideal ability profile by listing 6 to 10 abilities for which 

having a high level would be important (see figures 6.3 and 6.4 on pages 169 to 170 of 

your textbook).  

Ideal Ability Profile 

List the skill you selected from five you listed:       

 Horse riding

List 6 to 10 abilities for which having a high level would be important for this skill: 

1.  Internal focus

2.  Preplanned movements

3.  Balancing

4.  Ability to make hasty choices

5.  A sense of rhythm

6.  Discpline to practice regularly

Using the skill for which you created the ideal ability profile as an example, discuss at 

least two ways in which people with nonideal ability profiles might become successful in 

performing this skill (i.e., how can they use their strong abilities and compensate for their 

weaker abilities?). Does your personal ability inventory match the ideal ability profile 

you created? If not, you might use your own experiences to illustrate how you became 

proficient at the skill despite some limited abilities. 

1.  Practice abilities that are closely related to the ones they are not as proficient at yet to help strenghten them

2.  REceive instruction.  

Yes  

PDFE 6

My lab group consisted of six members, Mandi, Nathan, Katie, Eshan, Marley, and I.  We worked through the tests one at a time with one person timing and the others performing the exercises.  Also, towards the end of the testing period, we would test each person only once or cap a time limit so that everyone could be tested.  For example, the Bass stepping stone was a very easy test that we could continue doing for a long period of time, so we put a 15 step limit on it in order to move on to the next task.  The trials showed us that everyone had different skills and though they might have been really effecient in one thing, means that they are not good at every task.  Some people were first in one area but last in another.  We found that the data sheet had numbers spread across with no one really showing overall dominance.   We found that the stork stand was very difficult due to lack of balance.  The Diver's stand was very easy at first, until we discovered that we were doing the exercise wrong.  The sideward leap was difficult for us because it was hard to balance while leaping.  Overall I really enjoyed this experience.

PDFE 4&5

After reading the slideshow “Becoming Invaluable,” I began to think more about how I needed to become even more diverse to stand out amongst the thousands of other students preparing for a job in the athletics and/or sports industry.  As a female, I have to work very hard to stand out amongst my male peers who may automatically be considered first.  A big thing that stood out to me during the reading was how a student, such as myself, must learn to be more diverse than other kinesiology majors when pursuing my dream career and landing a job.  For example, if I were to add a minor in psychology or business along with my exercise science degree, I would have a stronger resume than a student without a relative minor.

Finding internships is also a very important aspect of becoming an athletic trainer.  I have already held an internship for Danny Copeland (Redskins Safety, Superbowl Champion) over the summer of 2010 doing various tasks in the gym, field, and office.  This experience gave me practical work skills as well as a fantastic reference for my future.  Finding good contact in the industry may be difficult to come by, but are crucial for finding jobs and more internships.  Also, one thing that sets me apart from other students is my work experience at Berry College.  I have worked in the Athletics Department for home games, so I know the basics of running sports events, as well as basic office work for the department.  I am also a student athletic trainer for the running team at Berry College, which definitely boosts my resume.  By being a student athletic trainer, I am able to learn crucial skills that I will need in my professional development.

Overall, the slideshow was very interesting and helped me to think about developing plans for my future in academics, internships and more.  By gaining connections and contacts through hard work, I will be able to follow my dream of becoming an athletic trainer and helping athletes to reach their fullest potential.  

PDFE 4&5

Here is my interview (via email) from a Berry Assistant Athletic Trainer, Brandon Williamson.

Questions:

1.     What was your reasoning for becoming an athletic trainer?

     I wanted to work in a field that meshed sports with the field of medicine. I didnt know what athletic training was until I got to college. I thought I wanted to be a Physical Terapist because I had some injuries while playing sports in high school and that was the first person I saw because my small high school did not have an athletic trainer. When I got to college I played baseball at North Georgia and they had trainers and I realized that was what I was actually looking for. You get to do rehab like a PT but also get immediate and emergency training like EMTs. It love it.

2.     What classes did you find the most helpful?

     Athletic training programs have a set order and curriculum that must be followed. It starts with anatomy, types of injuries, and progresses to rehab. Each class is extremely important for each skill. I think they were all equally important because if you did not take them all you would not understand certain joints, bones, muscles, rehabs, surgeries, etc. Before getting into the AT program I feel like anatomy and physiology were the most helpful.

3.     What is your favorite part of the job?

     The best part is seeing athletes return to full participation pain free after suffering an injury. Its very rewarding. I also love watching sports!

4.     What part of the job do you dislike the most?

     Thats easy. No athletic trainer loves the amount of hours they work and all the weekends they have to work. We can easily work 80-90 hours a week and go for months without off days. It has a high rate of "burnout" if you dont take care to manage your work hours.

5.     What sport do you like to work with the most?

     I loved football when I worked at the high school! There is nothing like football. Since we dont have that here I love working with baseball. Never a dull moment. And I played it so I get to be hands on and actually work with the catchers.

6.     What injury is the most common that you have to treat?

     Ankle sprains are really common. But personally since I work cross country it has to be shin splints or medial tibial stress syndrome.

7.     As an athletic trainer, what is the most difficult part of your job?

     Again I would say the hours and the weekends. Also, dealing with difficult athletes and coaches can always be a problem. Luckily it isnt that bad here. Its also hard dealing with the emotional aspect of injuries.

8.     What advice would you give those pursuing a career in athletic training?

     Study hard and have a passion for the field. If not youll never make it. Dont be scared to do things that you dont know how to do. Thats the only way to get the experience and, in turn, the confidence. Dont be afraid to say you dont know something if your not sure what an injury is. Learn to MANAGE your time. It is crucial, crucial, crucial. You wont get the stuff done you need to and it will kill you if you dont learn this trait.