highly valuable, and you’ll learn tons while also building credibility. Check with your division to see how you can earn education credits for your “outside the box” education. If you choose a niche that’s uncommon in your area, you may
not have a staff trainer or peers to guide you. If you are forging a path to become a yoga-based biomechanics expert, you may fi nd yourself setting your own goals and evaluating your own progress. T at said, don’t ignore obvious helpful coaching and feedback, just because it’s not a 100-percent match for what you’re focused on. If you are all about running gates and your trainers off er some help with your off -groomed tactics, take them up on it. Don’t get so caught up in your own path that you feel like regular clinics and training don’t apply to you. T ey still do. Solid fundamentals of skiing, riding, and teaching are still essential to everything we do. You’ll know you’re on the right path when all of this work feels
exciting and rewarding. To succeed as a specialist, you have to be able to put in an extra push to build depth. Expect to train just as hard as you did for your Level II and III exams, but in a diff erent direction.
FORGE A PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUR MANAGERS Don’t forget you are still a part of your snowsports school. Regardless of your career focus, you’ll still have to teach “regular” lessons too. T is is a good thing – it’s important for all of us to teach all kinds of lessons throughout our careers. At the same time, discuss your career aspirations with your trainers
and supervisors. If you’re working hard to further your expertise, then hopefully the school will recognize that by giving you some relevant assignments. But plan to prove yourself to management fi rst. Bring in return business, develop a track record of being safe, fun, and eff ective, and demonstrate that you really are extra good at this.
BUILD YOUR NETWORK Expanding your network and client base can be painfully slow. Expect it to take several years before you feel like you’re becoming established. Don’t push it; nothing is a bigger turnoff than a self- proclaimed expert. Show your excitement for what you do, rather than talking up your accomplishments. T at said, here are some things you can do to help gain traction.
QWhen you get a lesson within your wheelhouse, be sure to make the most of it. Let the clients know that this is your thing, “T is is my favorite type of lesson, this is what I put most of my energy into doing. I’m so psyched to be working with you!”
YOU’RE OFF TO THE RACES WITH PSIA-AASI RESOURCES
:KHWKHU \RX UH KRQLQJ \RXU VNLOOV DV D generalist or building your credibility DV D VSHFLDOLVW 36Ζ$ $$6Ζ V HGXFDWLRQ resources can help. Core Concepts for Snowports Instructors and the Children’s Instruction Manual, for example, are must-reads. Add technical manuals and teaching handbooks in all the various disciplines (alpine, snowboard, cross country, and telemark) to become even more well-rounded. Specializing in freestyle? PSIA-AASI has a technical manual
for that. If teaching children is your passion, you’ll have several resources to choose from. Check out the PSIA-AASI Accessories Catalog at
TheSnowPros.org to order materials WKDW Rff HU JUHDW JXLGDQFH ZKDWHYHU \RXU LQVWUXFWLRQDO SDWK
Don’t get so caught up in your own path that you feel like regular clinics and training don’t apply to you. They still do.
Q List your specialty and credentials on your business cards. QWrite an article for your local newspaper or local wintertime publication. Be knowledgeable and relatable, not self-promotional.
QReach out to established pros who are already successful in the same realm that you’re aiming for. T ey are potential mentors and sources of all kinds of information. Be respectful, and see what insights they can share with you.
Q If you have a client who is not a great fi t for you, consider referring them to a colleague who excels at that type of lesson. Perhaps the favor will be returned to you. And if you end up teaching that student anyway, take on the lesson with gusto and challenge yourself to exceed your expectations.
Q Be active within your chosen community. If you want to work with ski racers, attend race functions. If you want to coach in big-mountain environments, spend your free time in that terrain. Becoming familiar with the people, terrain, and culture of your community is key to building credibility.
QAs you grow and learn, be aware of your own limits. A challenging, specialty assignment might seem tempting, but it could also mean a high-profi le failure. Credibility takes a long time to establish, but can be vanquished overnight. A thoughtful and strategic plan will serve you better than a daring one.
T e path to becoming a high-end specialist is not particularly quick, but that’s exactly why it’s so worthwhile. T e years you spend honing your skills will help you forge a career path that feeds your soul, exposes you to new ideas, pays your bills, and keeps you productive. Who knows, a revitalized career path might even prevent your parents from repeatedly asking you when you’re going to get a real job!
Training with a peer is obviously way more fun than training alone. 48 | 32 DEGREES • SPRING 2017
Karin Kirk LV D /HYHO ΖΖΖ DOSLQH LQVWUXFWRU VWDff WUDLQHU DQG 5LGJH *XLGH DW 0RQWDQDȇV %ULGJHU %RZO 2ff VQRZ VKHȇV D IUHHODQFH ZULWHU specializing in science and education. Websites:
karinkirk.com,
Karin@kirkframeworks.com
CHRIS KERR
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