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Among other considerations, when choosing a career, it seems to me that professional development ought to be a highly regarded factor. Doesn’t everyone want to be a professional? All students should think about the importance of being referred to as a “professional” from within the context of an established professional field. It seems of little advantage otherwise to be referred to as a professional outside of an established career option. A fitness professional, for example, is not a professional in the same context as a physical therapist is from within the physical therapy association. In fact, it is the association that lays the ground work for professional development. All students should understand this point. It has direct bearing on what they call themselves, whether they are respected in what they do, and how much security they will have in the long run. For certain, employers understand this point. They expect their employees to provide reasonable evidence of their professional commitment to a professional organization. It is also proper for employers to expect the employees to become certified and/or licensed by the professional organization. All of this bears directly on the employees’ commitment to services and the degree to which the employee understands right from wrong and how to therefore harm to the client. You can (or should) expect the employer to ask about a code of ethics, standards of professional practice, and certifications. They should feel more comfortable hiring a board certified exercise physiologists versus someone with a certification that is not link to an academic degree. Of course, there are some certifications that are good even when the candidate fails to have an academic degree in the field. But, these are exceptions to the rule. Your first concern, as a new student at a university or college is to determine if the academic degree you are considering is accredited by a professional society. Then, you should find out if the professors are members of the professional society. Are they board certified? Do they network with members of the society? Start by asking these questions, and then make the decision whether the school is the best one for your career options. If you want to be an exercise physiologist, stay away from schools that do not have exercise physiology programs of study. By this, I mean simply, the school must offer an academic degree in exercise physiology. Remember, you can’t become a physical therapist by attending a kinesiology academic program. Likewise, the logic is obvious for students who want to be an exercise physiologist. You can’t become an exercise physiologist by getting a human performance degree (even should the degree require a minor or a concentration in exercise science). An academic minor does not equal an academic major. Professional titles require an academic major. Take time before attending a particular school by asking these questions to advance your thinking and, therefore, to expand on your career options at graduation. Professionalism, professional development, professional credentials, and professional thinking are important to successfully realizing one’s goals and dreams. When time permits, read several of articles published in the Professionalization of Exercise Physiologyonline electronic journal to get my point. There are articles that go back several years in the archive section of the journal that address a variety of issues and concerns about professionalism. Start now rather than later. Determine the best school for you by investigating the school’s reputation. Know your options. Hands-on experiences are important. Make sure the academic program has the faculty to convey professionalism and who are willing to showcase and support the American Society of Exercise Physiologists. Many who understand the professional development of students believe that this is important. |
Announcements Exercise Physiology: An Allied Health Profession ASEP Endorses FATS as a Childhood Obesity Solution "New" JUNE JEPonline 2008 Issue Sex Before Athletic Competition: Myth or Fact ASEP Board of Directors with approval of The Center for Exercise Physiology-online developed the EPC Petition Guidelines for doctorate exercise physiologists to become Board Certified. Ethical Standards and Professional Credentials In The Practice of Exercise Physiology AdvertisementsThe Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Wellness Departments of Frankford Hospitals are looking for two (2) Pool Clinical Exercise Physiologists to join their professional team with a great opportunity to work with both an inpatient and outpatient setting...more information... CardioDynamics is a fast-paced, dynamic, medical device company, driving a new technology to standard of care via creative people and an energetic leadership team. Ideal candidates for the CLINICAL APPLICATION SPECIALIST position in the Baton Rouge or New Orleans, LA area will possess a BSN or Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology plus a minimum of 2 years of work experience...more information... CardioDynamics is a fast-paced, dynamic, medical device company, driving a new technology to standard of care via creative people and an energetic leadership team. Ideal candidates for the CLINICAL APPLICATION SPECIALIST position in the Northern or Central NJ or NYC area will possess a BSN or Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology plus a minimum of 2 years of work experience...more information... CardioDynamics is a fast-paced, dynamic, medical device company, driving a new technology to standard of care via creative people and an energetic leadership team. Ideal candidates for the CLINICAL APPLICATION SPECIALIST position in the San Francisco Bay area will possess a BSN or Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology plus a minimum of 2 years of work experience...more information... PrimeWest Health System is hiring a Wellness Quality Coordinator/Exercise Physiologist to assist in all aspects of wellness and health promotion program development and implementation...more information... PrimeWest Health System is seeking exercise physiologists to provide services for a new benefit program called PrimeFitness...more information... Southern Methodist University offers an exciting opportunity for an emerging or seasoned scholar to join in the design/implementation of a new major in Sport and Fitness Management and Promotion while developing his/her program of research. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology...more information... Canyon Ranch is a world renowned health and healing resort that inspires educates and empowers both guests and staff members to live a higher quality of life. We are currently seeking Exercise Physiologist(s) to join our team at our Lenox, Massachusetts and Tucson, Arizona sites...more information... Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center offers a unique environment that combines the prestige and opportunities of a respected academic medical center with the personality and camaraderie of a community hospital. We have an opening for a Manager, in our Weight Management Center, located at Greenspring Station in Lutherville, MD...more information... Montgomery General Hospital is a community oriented hospital located in the Olney, MD. We currently have an opening for an exercise physiologist in the Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab Program...more information... PhysioLogic Human Performance Systems, LLC. (PHPS) is accepting applications for (2) full-time, salaried Exercise Physiologist positions...more information... The College of St. Scholastica is accepting applications for a full-time, tenure track, assistant professor or associate professor of exercise physiology, beginning September 2008...more information... KINESIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, is accepting applications for a full-time, academic year, tenure track, assistant professor of exercise physiology, beginning September 8, 2008...more information... Washington State University Program in Health Sciences(Exercise Physiology and Metabolism) invites applications for a nine-month, full-time, permanent, tenure-track appointment at the level of Assistant or Associate Professor (depending on qualifications) located at the WSU Spokane campus...more information... Exercise Physiologist, Cardiac Rehab, PT, Days/Flex, 40 Hours Biweekly: Responsible for providing monitored exercise therapy and patient education for the Comprehensive Cardiac Rehabilitation program, both inpatient and outpatient...more information... Director – Consumer Experience Lab...Have connections to outside experts with the knowledge and foresight to bring the right resources together as needed. Uncover opportunities in the form of desired experiences, methods to benefit issues based on health, well-being, aging, injury, etc. that will enhance the lives of our target consumers...more information... Performance Orthotics, a dynamic and growing company with experience in the foot orthotic industry, is looking for a part-time position in Rhode Island...more information... PeaceHealth Lower Columbia Regionin Longview, Washington is currently seeking a full-time Sports Medicine Coordinator...more information... |
Puzzling and Important Concerns
Submitted by TBoone (not verified) on Sun, 2006-12-24 02:14.What is it about exercise physiologists, particularly the academic types, that after nearly 10 years since the American Society of Exercise Physiologists was founded, they continue to exhaust all other avenues of professional opportunities other than ASEP. Even the slighest of comment or discussion about ASEP is hard to hear among college professors. I can only believe their self-interest (and everyone knows of what I mean) appeals more to them than the professionalism of exercise physiology.
ASEP leaders proceeded on the assumption that their colleagues and, therefore, the immediate goal of the ASEP organization which is trying to improve its members standing among other healthcare professionals, is the self-actualization of all exercise physiologists, or some goal approximating this. The transcendence of self is assumed to be most possible for the exercise physiologist with a strong and free identity.
This has necessarily involved the consideration of criteria for being a profession and for the development of professional qualities, most importantly that of academic accreditation, board certification, code of ethics, and a professional standards of practice. The question here is: Do exercise physiologists get it? And, is it possible to improve the profession of exercise physiology without having some idea of the exercise physiologist's commitment?
An achievement of the sort that ASEP expects requires participation, but it is not impossible to realize the vision with continued partial support. It will mean, however, that it will take longer and the process will inevitably be less clear to those who look on. So, to those who continue to abdicate their responsibility for realizing the dream, be assured of the fact that the mistake of failing to believe will always be understood by those in the mainstream of change.