Professional Development in Exercise Science

Professional Development in Exercise Science prepares students and complements their extensive academic foundation for a career or professional opportunity within the field of exercise science. This textbook provides students with the knowledge and skills to bridge gaps more effectively between their academic preparation and their chosen profession. There is an extensive array of career and professional options for students within exercise science, and this textbook will help develop a deeper understanding of how to navigate the personal and professional world confidently. The textbook integrates insights from communication, business, leadership, psychology, and exercise science to explore the dynamic interplay between the personal and the professional realms, providing a deeper understanding of the interconnections between the two. This new text, the first of its kind in the field of exercise science, is invaluable for all exercise science and kinesiology students. Students aspiring to careers within the discipline and related sub-disciplines, as well as those exploring postgraduate studies, will gain insights into the critical intersections between personal growth and professional achievement.

Christina Beaudoin, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Movement Science at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, USA. She has written scholarly articles that have appeared in major exercise, sport and exercise psychology, and health and physical activity journals. In addition to numerous presentations, she is a co-author of the SHAPE Appropriate Instructional Practice Guidelines for Higher Education Physical Activity Programs and a contributor to chapters in Cultivating Capstones: Designing High-Quality Culminating Experiences for Student Learning (Routledge).

1. Discovering Your Why. 2. Personality: Discover Your Unique Strengths. 3. Psychology of Success: Self-Esteem, Positive Thinking, Self-Discipline, and Self-Motivation. 4. Goals, Mindset, Perfectionism, and Fear of Failure. 5. Knowing Your Field: The Discipline, Professional Organizations, and Certifications. 6. Developing Your Brand: Job Search, Resume, Cover Letter, Interviewing, and Negotiating. 7. Exploring Leadership, Management, Determining Your Leadership Style. 8. Communication. 9. Groups, Teams, and Conflict. 10. Understanding and Developing Identity Awareness. 11. Professionalism, Critical Thinking, and Technology. 12. Legal Considerations. 13. The Next Stage.