During my time as a personal trainer within the fitness industry, I have witnessed many occurrences where I would describe a trainer breaching a code of ethics. Whether it be through inappropriate spotting techniques where the body or hands are placed in certain precarious locations or by simple body language and gestures, many trainers seem to be oblivious to their actions. What they don’t seem to realise is that the health and fitness industry receives a bad rapport due to their actions. Many personal trainers also find it appropriate to engage in sexual encounters with their clients or openly discuss private information about clients with trainers, other clients and even gym members. This itself is not an appropriate form of abiding to a code of ethics and should not be apart of any decent workplace environment

The day arrive, I was all suited up in a nice shirt and tie that belonged to dad, looking like a bit of a fool mind you, when I knocked on the night managers door to attend the my first job interview. I distinctly remember sitting in the chair, nervous as hell, twitching my toes and clenching my hands as tight as I could waiting for the interview to begin. What seem like an hr took only 15 mins and it involved nothing more than a brief chat and discussion about the role of the job and if I had any issues lifting heavy boxes…to which I replied in a squeaky voice…No. He replied ‘excellent’ and told me to wait here as he be back soon with the store manage. Store manager! The word I dreaded. Why did I have to see the store manager?

 Anyway 5 min late he came back with the store manager who greeted me a warm hand shake and said with a smile ‘you play rugby don’t ya?’ Boy didn’t this ease the tension. From there he showed me around the store, giving me a quick tour out the back to see how things were operated. From here there’s only one thing I specifically remember. He asked me to describe myself, to which I replied without much thought ‘I’m somebody who doesn’t give up and will do anything to get the job done’. He smiled again, shaking his head and writing the comments done on my resume. ‘Right’, he said, ‘You will hear from us by the end of the week as to whether you were successful or not’. I walked away a little disappointed at the closing statement as I thought they gave out jobs then and there but that wasn’t the case. Anyway, Friday gave around, I received the phone call, got the got and the rest is history.

Looking back, that was probably the easiest job interview I’ve ever had but at the time the scariest.

The industry I wish to pursue further upon the completion of my Bachelor of Human Movements Studies degree is that of teaching, in particular a PE teacher. Having tossed and turned about ideas for career paths throughout my final year of study, ive chosen this career simply due to the fact that I am passionate about health and fitness, enjoy spending time with children, and the fact that this career allows me to travel extensively without the fear of not finding employment.

So, upon further investigation into the role of a PE teacher, I discovered the following personal requirements for such a position.

• Enjoy and be good at physical activity
• Enthusiastic, patient and tactful
• Enjoy working with young people
• Good communication skills
• High level of organisation skill
• Prepared to work out of school hours

Through the completion of the ‘Your Career & You’ booklet, I found that in a lot of these requirements reflect my attributes. One however, that I would need to work on is my organisational skills but that can be accomplished with time and effort.

Before undertaking this task I had a brief idea what I thought was the duties and role of a PE Teacher was. I assumed that they simply instructed students in sporting activities and provide educational information in regards to the human body and how it works. What I found upon further investigation was that the role requires a lot more than meets the eye. Aside from undertaking general teaching task, a PE teacher is required to prepare a yearly program of learning experiences that link physical activities with issues related to health and well being. They are to teach a range of elective and senior courses depending on the needs and interests of their students. They are to teach the basic techniques and skills associated with team and individual sports, dance, gymnastics, track and field, aquatics and recreational activities. They are to teach students about community and personal health issues including nutrition, sexuality, drug

use, and HIV/AIDS. They are to instruct students in the safety practices associated with different environments including swimming pools, gymnasiums and playing fields. They are also required to coordinate special events such as inter-school sports programs, swimming and athletic carnivals, and lifesaving programs.

Although this seems like an audacious and intimidating task for someone who is yet to finish uni, I am sure that with the appropriate study and practical experience Ill be more than ready for the challenge. I intend to do a Dip of Ed next yr which will set me on my way. The other appealing factor about PE Teaching is that it will allow me to travel and be employ overseas. I have a few friends who have just returned from the UK and Canada who both taught at various locations over there. I see this as a perfect way to supplement an income whilst doing something a love at the same time.

My three main important goals involve all daily living that include career, personal and life goals. My Career goals primarily encompass the ability to be able to find a career that I am extremely passionate about so it feels not like a career but more like a hobby that I love doing everyday of my life. If it involves anything that I love doing it won’t simply seen as a chore. My personal goals seem to always reflect on either sport or sporting excellence. This is also another hobby of mine that im daily involved in and simply love being apart of. Currently, my personal goal involves winning a state bodybuilding title in the next few weeks then traveling down to Sydney to compete in the Nationals the week after. This is a short term goal of mine. Long term, my personal goals not only involve bodybuilding but also life in general. I want to finish my Bachelor of Human Movement Studies then complete a Dip of Education next year. I wish to then travel to either the UK or Canada and teach in one of these countries. My goal is to one day start a family, with a loving and wonderful wife, to whom I hope to experience both the highs and lows of life in general with but to also experience the joy of raising children, paying a mortgage and enjoying the process of growing old.

Values and Attitude:

I would describe the position of work in my life in one statement ‘I work to live’. That being said, I love the work im currently involved in but I could never be the type of person who lives and dies by their work. At the end of the day, nothing can compare to being able to spend time with your loved ones or doing the things you love doing. No form of rewards, whether it is career advancement, recognition or pay rises could ever change this. Work is just a means of being able to pay for the things I enjoy.  Therefore, I would definitely place family ahead of my work. Although I love my hobbies, unfortunately at the end of they day they would be placed second to work as with study, leisure time and gatherings and parties with friends.  I have always been taught that you only ever get out what you put in, and the rewards from your work will always reflect what you’ve put in. Some rewards are obviously more important than others but at the end of the day, those most important to me are advancement, recognition, being valued and having a high rapport amongst your fellow employees are those I value the most.

Interests

My interest heavily encompasses anything to do with health and fitness, whether that is staying fit, personal training, nutrition or further research involving these areas. I am interested in traveling abroad to various locations and one day I hope to ride a motorbike across America.

Personal Attributes:

I always excel at something that interests me and this must be factored into my chosen career. I find that once I am interested about a topic I have the ability to discuss it openly and passionately with almost anyone or whoever seeks advice. I feel certain attributes reflect my personality more than others. These include intelligence, responsibility, temperament, competitiveness, confidence and persistence. I would like to develop my skills further in the areas of organizing and planning as I believe those who think they know everything know nothing and the more you know the more value of a team member you are.

What employers really want:

I believe I possess the important attributes of an employee that employers seek. More importantly, I have the ability to work as part of a team and display the willingness to be involved in all aspects of working life.

Being part of numerous sporting teams throughout my life has also enabled me to be able to work proactively in a team or group environment. My ability to both act in the capacity of a leader or captain, but also being able take directions for other team leaders, shows that I am both confident and cooperative within team environments. Similarly, my current sporting pursuit of bodybuilding can be seen as a sport that requires inner determination and drive. It has also given me the skill of being able to plan, organise and carry out tasks without the supervision of captains or supervisors. Bodybuilding has also taught me the confidence and attitude towards setting personal goals not only for sporting goals, but also career and personal goals in general. It has taught me persistance and determination to strive for some things that may only be dreams to others.