In my last blog, I continued my three-part series on what to expect as you prepare for your strength & conditioning internship. This blog will wrap up the series and hopefully give great insight into what to expect as you are beginning your strength and conditioning career.
7. Take every opportunity to learn. As stated in previous blogs, you are surrounded by great resources to learn every day. Your mentor, assistant strength coaches, Graduate Assistants, the other interns, and even the athletes will provide great chances for personal growth. Free time in the gym doesn’t mean it is time to check your Facebook or Twitter. It is time to ask GOOD QUESTIONS, learn a new skill, teach a skill, research programs, read a training article, or practice training methods. You are only given 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, and 86,400 seconds in a day. Why not utilize all of it?
This is the time that you become a better coach. Then you go and apply all your new knowledge to your coaching in the next session. This is an extremely competitive field, with an abundance of young coaches trying to get the same jobs you will be applying for. It is the little difference you decide to make in your free time that could just put you ahead of them.
8. Be prepared to be short on cash. There is a limited amount of paid internships available, and the chances of getting them right away are very small. If you are lucky enough to get a paid internship, chances are that you will get a limited amount of hour that you can be paid for each week. It makes it very hard to live off of the small amount getting paid. Going into your internship knowing that money will be tight can be the most helpful thing I can do for you. If you are this far in you career in strength and conditioning, you know that you are not in it for the money. This is not a glorious field. It is a field of service to others. You do it for the love of the athletes and the satisfaction of providing the best playing career possible for them.
With that being said you have to make it a priority to be smart with your money, or be willing to work other jobs as you intern. There are plenty of opportunities out there to make some extra cash.
· Find a personal training job or teach group exercise.
o Chances are during your studies you have acquired some sort of certification. Campus rec centers are always looking for great trainers to work for them. I know it is not what you want to do forever, but it can be fun and provide a little extra income.
· Find odd jobs around town
o It is likely that many donors pass through your athletic department daily. Often times they will have, or know someone, that has some work for you. Be willing to get dirty with these jobs, but they can provide great additional income as well as possible references.
· Referee high school sporting events
o Local officiating chapters are always looking for new help. This is a year round way of being around what you love, and also having fun. All you have to do is look up your local chapter. Usually you will have to pass a test, and attend an introductory meeting. After this your evenings will be full of games, and events for extra income. These events are almost always at night, as to not interfere with your internship.
Hopefully my blogs have helped give an idea as an insight into your internship you are preparing to begin. Go attack this, and become the best coach you possibly can.
Remember this is the first step of many in a long and successful career, make the most out of this opportunity. Always remember to
1. Accept your shortcomings
2. Step outside of your comfort zone
3. Let go of the past
4. Listen to your mentors
5. Take pride in the little things
6. Read every day
7. Learn something new every day
8. Be prepared for some hard times
Reference:
Bruno, B. (2012, August 6). Tips For Your Strength and Conditioning Internship. Retrieved May 29, 2016, from http://benbruno.com/2012/08/strength-and-conditioning-internships/
Martin, T. (2015, May 16). What to Expect as a Strength and Conditioning Intern. Retrieved May 29, 2016, from http://www.elitefts.com/education/coaching-education/what-to-expect-as-a-strength-and-conditioning-intern/
Schumacher, E. (2011). Internships From An Intern’s Perspective. Retrieved May 29, 2016, from https://coachbrough.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/internships-from-an-interns-perspective/
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