Expert: Daphne E Brown MS CPRP - 5/17/2005

Question
Dear Ms. Browne,   
I am a grade 12 student from Windsor, ON, Canada. I am seeking some of your valuable time to answer some questions I have on their careers and it's applications to the study of Health and Physical Education. I would immensely appreciate it if anyone could transfer the following questions to an expert.

1.   What is your profession? How would you describe your profession?
2.   What program did you graduate University or College from?
o   How many years did it take to complete?
o   What were some of the undergrad courses that were related to Physical Education?
o   Were pre-requisite courses in high school a big help in certain areas of your study?
3.   Would a background in Physical and Health Education help in your career? How?
4.   What do you believe is the most important component of Physical and Health Education in your area of expertise; i.e. biomechanics, anatomy, etc.?
5.   What is the most demanding aspect of your profession?
6.   What characteristics do you feel must be present in those who wish to pursue your career?
7.   How important is communication and people-skills in respect to the profession?


Thank you very much for finding time to answer my questions.
Sincerely yours,
Sirat Aman


Answer
1. What is your profession? How would you describe your profession?
I am a Clinical Exercise Physiologist.  I currently work for a medically supervised Exercise/Nutrition/Lifestyle modification program.  Usually, people with my background work in hospitals in cardiovascular rehabilitation (patients who are recovering from acute heart/metabolic disease problems)

2. What program did you graduate University or College from? The University of Texas in Tyler
o How many years did it take to complete? 2 years (Master's of Science-M.S. program)
o What were some of the undergrad courses that were related to Physical Education? I had a B.S. in Premed when I entered grad school to be an exercise physiologist
o Were pre-requisite courses in high school a big help in certain areas of your study? no.  I just kept my grades up enough to get into college. I had fun in high school.
3. Would a background in Physical and Health Education help in your career? maybe How? I wanted to be a physician, so I had a lot of science.  I'm glad of that because I understand the anatomy/ physiology/ physics/ biomechanics of the human body better when I work with my clients
4. What do you believe is the most important component of Physical and Health Education in your area of expertise; i.e. biomechanics, anatomy, etc.? I tell young people who want to go into my profession to get a medical background. Short of nursing or medicine, get trained as a medical assistant, LPN, ECG tech, phlebotomist, something that will not only give you patient care experience, but something to fall back on when you need a job-fast.  I was a phlebotomist (drew blood) and an aerobics instructor while I went to school full-time for my graduate degree
5. What is the most demanding aspect of your profession?
READING THE RESEARCH JOURNALS and keeping up with the latest FADS and MISINFORMATION that keeps popping up.  You gotta tell people the truth about these things and KNOW YOUR STUFF
6. What characteristics do you feel must be present in those who wish to pursue your career? Love working with people, either in a group setting or one-on-one.  
7. How important is communication and people-skills in respect to the profession? Just like any other service profession, people look to you for the right answer for them.  When you remember that each person is unique and you remember that you have your own limitations/personal conflicts-opinions, you will do just fine.  Also, know when to refer people to another professional (ie a physician, psychologist, another exercise professional, etc.)  Sometimes, you can't help everybody.

hope this helps!!  BTW, I am pursuing a nursing degree (RN). I feel (know) this will give me more leverage and earning potential as an Exercise professional (not necessarily as a nurse working on the floor of a hospital). GOOD LUCK IN YOUR CAREER DIRECTION whatever it may be!!!  Congratulations ( I am assuming) in soon graduating from high school!!!!