Advice on Training Assistant

[Liv7301]

I am thinking about pursuing Training Assistant in the future. I was curious if there is anyone out there that has gone that route. I am considering this for an option to see if I like working with classes and also as a stepping stone to see if I would ever want to continue on to DM.

I am hesitant to ever jump right into DM mostly because of the timed swim requirements that would probably kick my butt right now. I am a decent swimmer but slow.

[57ChevyGreg]

Originally Posted by Liv7301

I am thinking about pursuing Training Assistant in the future. I was curious if there is anyone out there that has gone that route. I am considering this for an option to see if I like working with classes and also as a stepping stone to see if I would ever want to continue on to DM.

I am hesitant to ever jump right into DM mostly because of the timed swim requirements that would probably kick my butt right now. I am a decent swimmer but slow.

Doing TA first is the way I went, and gave me the opportunity to work with a lot of classes and people on my way to DM. I would recommend it as the way to go for anyone considering becoming a DM. Just doing a training program without working a lot of classes does not give you the hands-on experience I believe is needed to become a good DM. I worked classes from the cold of winter thru the hot summer. Doing that will definetly help you decide if you want to pursue becoming a DM or Instructor.

[PlatypusMan]

Originally Posted by 57ChevyGreg

Just doing a training program without working a lot of classes does not give you the hands-on experience I believe is needed to become a good DM. I worked classes from the cold of winter thru the hot summer. Doing that will definetly help you decide if you want to pursue becoming a DM or Instructor.

I second this opinion. Taking some great advice I was given, I have now spent an entire season working as a TA (at ST, of course) specifically to get experience working with classes ranging for BOW through Rescue.

There is nothing like working with actual students to make you think through what you are trying to accomplish, and for what reason.

[Liv7301]

I knew you were a TA Greg because I think it came up in conversation at some point at Travis in August, but I didn't know that John was also a TA first.

Since I am a teacher in "real life" I naturally have the bug of working with and helping other people. Plus I also got thinking about what a good reinforcer it would be for my own skills and experience. Should I decide in becoming a TA that I am happier just pursuing my own interests instead of working with classes, then I will know without wasting time/money on DM. (I say that even though I am pretty sure I will enjoy it. )

Thanks guys!

[PlatypusMan]

Originally Posted by Liv7301

Thanks guys!

You're quite welcome.

TA is a specialty unique to NAUI, as Woody pointed out in another post. The easiest way to explain it is to think of it as an intern type program. It can be as hard or as easy as you wish to make it -- but it will be interesting, and it will be fun!

In my opinion, it's like a lot of things in life, in that you get out of it in direct proportion to what you are willing to put into it.

[Liv7301]

Makes sense. The more I think about it, the more I like this option. If I were to go a personal interest tech route towards wreck penetration for example, it would mean acquiring even more gear, and we are just now at a point where we feel completely happy about all of our standard recreational gear and purchases. Plus I really do think I want more experience under my belt too before tech. Working on TA and working with classes will help that I would think.