Becoming a generalist is an excellent choice if you enjoy the
novelty of working with a range of students and types of lessons. T e specialist approach is a great choice if you’re excited about a specifi c aspect of snowsports and enjoy learning and developing new skills and applying old skills to new situations. When making these decisions, refl ect on both personal values and strategic considerations. In the personal realm, what aspects of teaching and the skiing and/or riding experience are most rewarding? Which students have you enjoyed working with the most? Have they been a diverse mix? Or did those students fi t a more specifi c profi le? Do you spend every day off playing in the park or backcountry? Or do you prefer a variety of snowsports activities? Strategic aspects include the potential for a future move, your need for fi nancial stability, and the nature of your career goals. A
Branching out and being willing to be “comfortable being uncomfortable” is critical for developing a wider range of skills and experiences.
friend from the Midwest added Alpine Level I certifi cation to her Snowboard Level II and Children’s Specialist 2, knowing that this would help her get her foot in the door at her dream resort out west. Another friend prepared for a move into management, as he was starting a family and valued increased job security in the event of drought, injury, or a challenging economy. Co-author Karin Kirk took her career from this mid-career level of skill to a rewarding role as a guide on Bridger Bowl’s inbounds hiking terrain.
RECOGNIZE OBSTACLES, EMBRACE OPPORTUNITIES Do you fi nd yourself saying things like “I can’t relate to _________,” “I’m not good at selling myself,” “Other instructors know more about _________ than I do,” or “I always teach groups, one-on-one lessons are really awkward for me.” T is is called self-handicapping. While it’s human nature, it results in missed opportunities and can lead to gaps in your teaching skills. Refl ect on your perceived gaps and consider getting training or having a conversation with a fellow instructor who excels in that area. Challenge yourself to seek out and accept those assignments that are less comfortable and you will see your ability to teach them increase. Branching out and being willing to be “comfortable being
GO WITH A PRO TOOLKIT HELPS YOU DRUM UP BUSINESS
PSIA-AASI’s new “Go with a Pro/Promote Yourself” Toolkit – available at
TheSnowPros.org – makes it easier for you to
succeed as a snow pro by: Q 5DLVLQJ SXEOLF DZDUHQHVV RI WKH EHQHfi WV RI WDNLQJ D professional lesson
Q Spreading the word about your experience and expertise Q Helping schools, resorts – and you – attract new clients Q 6XSSRUWLQJ JXHVW UHWHQWLRQ Hff RUWV
)RU H[DPSOH WKH WRRONLW Rff HUV VQRZ SUR JXLGDQFH RQ XVLQJ social media to promote yourself, and provides digital badges you can use to tout your areas of expertise and credentials. Other resources in the toolkit include a Go with a Pro guide and images, access to customizable Tip of the Day cards, media interview tips, and more.
Professional Ski Instructors of America American Association of Snowboard Instructors
GO WITH A PRO TOOLKIT
uncomfortable” is critical for developing a wider range of skills and experiences. T is process will help you progress as a generalist whose versatility beyond serving the core business of your snowsports school is valued and used. T is process can start by simply saying “yes” to more assignments. If you feel like you’re stuck in a rut, check in with your school’s managers and let them know that you’re looking for challenges outside of your regular wheelhouse. Trying to excel in multiple areas can have limits. In order to
develop and maintain your skillfulness in an area, you need to work in that area regularly. If you fi nd that you’re constantly “winging it” by working in many diff erent areas, it’s possible that you’re branching out too quickly. Similarly, if you fi nd it diffi cult to either maintain or continue developing skillfulness in your areas of expertise, it may be time to consider narrowing down the topic areas in which you’re working. Being a generalist can be a rewarding path in its own right, or an
excellent way to develop and refi ne skills as you begin working to become a specialist. T e accompanying article about specialists focuses on the mid to later stages of an instructor’s career. Keep in mind that the same focus and dedication required of a budding specialist can be applied to becoming an excellent generalist. Pursuing mastery as either a generalist or as a specialist will off er a lifetime of challenges and rewarding experiences and accomplishments.
Ski and ride schools depend on generalists and specialists to meet various student expectations.
44 | 32 DEGREES • SPRING 2017
Ben Roberts has a master’s degree in Sport and Performance Psychology, is an alpine examiner in PSIA-AASI’s Northern Intermountain Division, and coaches alpine ski racing at Bogus Basin in Boise, Idaho.
SCOTT D.W. SMITH
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