Networking is crucial in the
business world, but it is beneficial when working as an athletic trainer as
well. The impressions one makes on his
or her surroundings every day can impact his or her future career. Everyday
should be treated as an interview. Athletic trainers work with doctors,
orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and many other allied health professionals.
Each of these contacts is an opportunity to create a professional relationship.
Within the circuit of athletic trainers,
there is typically no more than three degrees of separation. It is a very tight
knit group, and those who are committed to putting themselves out there will
reap the benefits.
Personal experience has proven to
me the importance of networking. Every position I have earned after graduation
has come to light through word of mouth and networking with colleagues. This
power of networking even crosses state lines. The National Athletic Trainers’
Association (NATA) has developed the Student Clinical
Opportunities in Emerging Settings to assist students in networking and
finding local clinical opportunities. According to Jay Sedory, Med, ATC, EMT-T,
“NATA Membership provides me
networking contact.”
The importance of
networking should be instilled in a student during his or her undergraduate
education. Students should be encouraged to attend professional conferences,
present research, and join student committees. Each of these activities will
not only create a marketable applicant to any job, but will also introduce the
student to other professionals within the city, state, district, and nation.
With all of this being said, the
other phrase to end with is “Who you know gets you in the door, what you know
keeps you there.” Networking will create opportunities, but it is the individual’s
responsibility to prove he or she deserves the position.
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