The Exercise Physiology JOB Search: A Guide
Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, MA, FASEP, EPC
Professor and Chair
Director, Exercise Physiology Laboratories
The College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN 55811
Introduction
This article is a “Guide” for students and graduates of exercise physiology
programs in their search for a job. Whether the graduate has an undergraduate
degree or a graduate degree as is more common, this brief review of strategies
should prove helpful. Students (and their parents) want concrete
answers about the job market.
Health and fitness are important for obvious reasons. Rehabilitation
is part of the recovery process from different diseases and/or dysfunctions.
Athletics and human performance are critical parts of our society.
There are numerous overlapping degrees (or academic majors) in each of
the areas mentioned. Physical educators are obviously concerned with
teaching fitness and sports activities. Physical therapy, nursing,
occupational therapy, and number of other healthcare professions deal directly
with rehabilitation. Academic majors like exercise science, kinesiology,
or human performance are often times one to three courses different from
physical education. Students from these programs aren’t sure of the
job opportunities in the public sector.
For example, physical educators understand that their jobs are located
in the school systems. Healthcare professionals like physical therapy
and nursing work primarily in the clinical settings in hospitals and clinics.
Exercise science majors are bewildered at graduation by the lack of “exercise
science” jobs. Whether it is the faculty of these programs or the
lack of growth, exercise science students are frequently left to defend
for themselves. Many students leave the field to find employment
in other areas where employment is established. This means that,
to some extent, the undergraduate degree is meaningless. Both the
time and cost leaves the graduate with feelings of wasted time.
The ASEP Influence
To a great degree, this is exactly why the American Society of Exercise
Physiologists (ASEP) was founded in 1997. Students should not
attend a college or major in a particular field of work unless there is
a serious opportunity to find a job after graduation. The ASEP organization
moved forward to correct the problem by building into its infrastructure
the recognized components of professional development. With a code
of ethics, accreditation, board certification, and standards of practice,
along with many other important considerations of professionalism, the
academic “Exercise Physiology” degree was founded with the full intention
of graduating exercise physiologists as professionals.
No longer is it necessary to have the doctorate degree to be an Exercise
Physiologist. Also, now with the ASEP professional organization,
the ASEP professional development strategies, and the ASEP exercise physiology
practice, the entry-level professional can begin a career in the public
sector with the undergraduate degree. This line of thinking is a
primary benefit to students and parents since it provides the opportunity
to locate a job at graduation. Of course, this does not mean that
the master’s degree and/or the doctorate degree are not important.
For many different reasons, either degree is important. At least
now, in time, employers have a clearer understanding of the candidate and
his or her academic preparation and professional orientation to the field.
The Exercise Physiology Niche
From the ASEP perspective, the academic major in exercise physiology
is defined around “four” important healthcare components: (1) health promotion;
(2) fitness development; (3) cardiopulmonary rehabilitation; and (4) athletic
performance. These components illustrate the niche job market opportunities
for all Board Certified Exercise Physiologists (EPCs). However, neither
the academic departments and their respective faculty nor the potential
employers in each of the abovementioned areas is fully aware of the academic
preparation and professional development of graduates of exercise physiology.
It is just a matter of time that the exercise physiology niche will be
recognized throughout the public sector. This information is important
and should be shared with potential majors and their parents. Concerns
about the rising costs of healthcare will drive the need for alternative
approaches to gaining control on costs. Exercise physiologists will
help relieve the rising overall costs and healthcare concerns through the
implementation of safe and regular exercise programs.
Plan for Success
Students can plan for success within the exercise physiology career
path by demonstrating professionalism, competence in academic coursework,
and willingness to think critically. Becoming a professional begins
in school with course work, hands-on laboratory experiences, and internship
programs. Any clinical or client-related experience is helpful.
Students should, therefore, be encouraged to take advantage of all academic
and/or lab-based experiences. Similarly, by engaging in ASEP Student
Chapters activities, students are provided leadership opportunities.
Know which credentials are important to exercise physiology. For
example, after getting an academic “degree” in exercise physiology, plan
to sit for the EPC exam. Passing the exam earns the coveted title
of Certified Exercise Physiologist or Board Certified Exercise Physiologist.
For ASEP exercise physiologists, the EPC exam verifies the educational
competency that sets the stage for licensure. Although exercise physiologists
are not licensed today, the ASEP leadership via the Board of Licensure,
is working towards licensure for all ASEP members. Hence, literally
speaking, to plan for success means getting organized. In addition
to asking questions about program accreditation, course descriptions, hands-on
experiences, certification, licensure, and professional writing opportunities,
ask questions about resume development, networking opportunities, and letters
of reference.
Networking is Critical
Most jobs are not advertised. That is why networking is vital
to locating jobs. Hence, before graduation, start the job search
by talking with everyone possible about all kinds of jobs. It is
critical to finding employment. Talk to faculty members. Talk
with them about their contacts in specific areas of employment. It
may be health promotion or cardiac rehabilitation or working with athletes
are young children. Basically, the door is wide open for employment.
Concentrate on speaking with friends, students, and graduates of the program.
Find out which internship programs are the best. Some offer a comprehensive
hands-on experience. Others are more focused with specifically described
job duties. Ask the department clinical coordinator and/or the preceptor
in advance about mentoring. Find out if the preceptors have a history
of hiring interns. Ask if the preceptors have access to other employers
who hire exercise physiologists. Consult with the faculty members
or the department chair about alumni who may have contacts with potential
employers. Any lead or job information is invaluable, including information
and advice from graduates who have recently accepted positions.
Advertisements
Jobs are advertised in newspapers, at professional meetings, in journals,
in university career offices, in academic departments, and on professional
web sites.
Listing of Online Job Search
The following list is just the beginning in finding jobs on the Internet.
With just a few minutes on the Internet, you will find another sixx or
more!
Applying for a Job
Send the resume and cover letter directly to the person responsible
for obtaining information and/or hiring the right candidate. The
purpose of the resume is to get an interview. The purpose of the
cover letter is to introduce the resume. Both documents must meet
specific standards when applying for a job.
The resume summarizes personal and professional experiences such
as education, hands-on laboratory skills, internship experiences, computer
and software knowledge, and interests relevant to the employer. It
should be no more than two pages. Place at the top of the first page
your full name with academic initials (BA, BS, or MS), professional certifications
(EPC), complete address (current and/or permanent), email address, and
phone numbers (with ZIP code) where you can be reached. Add sections
that highlight qualifications, academic degrees with dates, honors, awards,
internship placements and/or listing of experiences, professional certifications
and/or memberships, and any other information (like community service,
presentations, and publications) that is helpful for the employer to reach
you or determine your qualifications for the job you are seeking.
References do not need to be listed in the resume. Of course there
is the layout (or style) and the overall appearance of the resume to consider.
In short, make sure there are no typos. It should be easy to read
with consistent headings with boldface, capitalization, and indentation.
As a guide, you may want to consider the following resume style.
There are many different styles. None is exactly the best for all
situations. Depending on the job requirements, the style may vary
to emphasize different qualities of the candidate. Both the resume
and the cover letter should be printed on white or off-white quality bond
paper. When the potential employer requests the resume by an email
attachment, be sure to attach both your cover letter and resume.
The one-page personalized cover letter accomplishes two purposes.
First, the letter is written to a specific person to get his or her attention.
Hence, make sure the letter is correctly typed on high-quality paper.
Learn everything you can about the employer and the organization.
Second, the content of the letter explains why you are interested in the
position and the institution. You might write: “I was interested
to read in the Duluth News that the St. Luke’s Hospital is looking for
an exercise physiologist with experience in cardiac rehabilitation.
I will receive my academic degree in exercise physiology from The College
of St. Scholastica in May, and I am eager to be considered for the position.”
or “Dr. Larry Gordon told me that the Guidant Corporation will be hiring
an exercise physiologist with research experience, and I am writing to
express my interest in the position. I will be graduating from The
College of St. Scholastica Department of Exercise Physiology in July with
a master’s degree in exercise physiology.”
You may also emphasize parts of your academic and/or hands-on background.
For example, you might write: “As my enclosed resume indicates, I have
had significant research experience using the MedicalGraphics CardiO2 metabolic
analyzer as an intern exercise physiologist at Cardiovascular Consultants.
In addition, during the four months I was at CC, I was responsible for
the statistical analysis of the cardiovascular data. My academic
work at St. Scholastica and the internship research opportunities have
impressed upon me the value of practicing exercise physiology in a research
based cardiac rehabilitation hospital. I am impressed with the research
presented at the American Society of Exercise Physiologists this past April,
and I feel that your institution provides the best professional opportunities
for ongoing work.” Finish the letter by indicating an interest in
an interview, and that you will follow up with a phone call. For
an example of a cover letter, click here.
Interview Techniques
The interview is vital to getting a job. It is especially important
therefore that the following points are thoroughly considered before the
interview. First, preparation is absolutely required.
Found out everything possible from every source (friends, libraries, colleagues,
brochures, contacts, and websites) conceivable about the employer.
Second, have a good sense of why you want the job. Have answers
to the following questions: (1) Tell me a little about yourself, recent
jobs, if any, and how you plan to contribute to the profession. (2) What
caused you to become an exercise physiologist? (3) Why did you specialize,
for example, in cardiac rehabilitation? (4) How would you describe your
education from St. Scholastica? (5) Do you believe research is important?
(6) What professional organizations do you belong to? (7) What are your
professional strengths and weaknesses? (8) How would your strengths help
us? (9) Do you see yourself continuing in exercise physiology? (10) What
are your leadership skills? (11) What are your salary requirements? (12)
Why should St. Luke’s hire you? Third, arrive at least 10 minutes
early to the interview. Fourth, dress appropriately and be
professional (e.g., wear a suit, tie, sports coat, slacks, and polished
footwear). Fifth, be enthusiastic and positive about past experiences
(courses, professors, past experiences). Sixth, practice and practice
answering questions. Use a friend or a mentor.
Final Thoughts
In addition to the information in this article, you will want to consult
other sources as well. For example, consider the Student Affairs
Career Services Online articles that speak to many of the points discussed
in this brief article. Use the following URL, http://www.ub-careers.buffalo.edu/career/oco/cpp/student/jobsrch.shtml
Similarly, you may also want to check the ASEP job search information posted
on the following URL, http://www.asep.org/jobsearch/
Good Luck.