Thoughts on career path

In less than five months I will be halfway through my graduate studies. It has become abundantly clear that I really have to figure out where I’m going. Unorthodox, naturally, but my INTP traits chose a program where I’d have a few options, of which I did not have to choose [and plan] ahead of time. The kinesiology program is geared towards a career in education. A career strictly as an educator, unless at the post-secondary level. Of course, in most cases this would require continuation on to a doctoral level program; certainly desirable but not sure if it would be a financially sound decision. I’ll make that call later. For now I’ve got to think short term, or at least where I want to focus my career. 

There’s always one constant: running. Broad strokes, that could cover quite a bit. But as I’m not a professional, have neither aspirations nor the ability to become a professional, this narrows the scope in the general direction of coaching. This is kind of how my brain works…it’s more a process of elimination rather than picking out of the lot. I figure out what is impossible, then what’s left is the improbable, possible, and likely. To me, these all are pretty much equal. 

In the meantime, I’ve decided to rack up as much resume fodder as possible. Over the past month I’ve attained a couple of coaching certifications and by the end of this month I will have my third. First, I attended the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s technical certification as well as their program management certification course (here). Taken together, I’m recognized as a certified track & field coach. This past weekend I attended the USATF’s level I certification course (here). Pretty much the same curriculum just different governing organizations. Later this month I will take the Road Runners Club of America coaching certification (here). As time passes I’ll look at the higher level, more specialized, certs as well.

What this does, of course, is puts myself in the category of having a lot of pieces of paper with my name on them but no actual (T&F/XC) coaching experience. It’s the obligatory catch-22. I’m lucky to be in this position regardless and I realize this on a daily basis even if it required a bit of elbow grease along the way.

Professional certifications, et cetera

Over this past weekend and yesterday I had the distinct pleasure of attending two certification courses offered through the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The first, their Technical Certification, covered two days and yesterday I completed the Program Management Course. Upon completion of the two exams, assuming I pass them, I will be a certified track coach.

As of this moment that doesn’t mean a whole hell of a lot other than I paid a nice fee to attend some courses to earn yet another piece of paper with my name on it. I decided that it was a potentially valuable risk to take. I’m a quarter through my MS program and have began to think about where I want to take this thing. I don’t necessarily if track & field coaching is where I’ll ultimately end up but it’s most certainly in the right direction of where I’d like to be. I’ve decided to at least start thinking about where I’d like to go or what genre I’d like to be involved in. Running. 

Unfortunately I’m at a distinct disadvantage. I’m not an elite professional athlete nor am I a collegiate athlete. I do not have that background to open those doors. I will have to take another approach, which is personal and professional education and certifications. As with all of the certifications I carried in my previous life, some truly enhance knowledge and others aren’t worth much more than the paper they’re printed on. I reckon it’s probably much of the same in any career field. Either way I love any opportunity to learn something new even if it comes at my own expense.

That said, these courses were worth the time and money. I’m unable, legally, to get into details as to specific content but I can say they’ve developed a ‘soup-to-nuts’ curriculum on all aspects of track and field coaching. More info here. 

I had been keeping an eye on a few different courses and luckily for whatever reason three of them are all in San Antonio within a month’s time. I’ll also be attending the USATF Level I coaching education course as well as the RRCA coaching certification. Quite a bit of resume fodder, and not cheap when all said and done, but I’m really hoping to soak up as much as I can and if I’m lucky they’ll be of some use next year. I’m probably jumping the gun on taking all three at once, this early, but it was more a matter of taking advantage of location. I’m here, they’re here, why not! Should be a fun for a donk like me regardless!

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