[muscletrainerdh-NSCA CPT]

Okay, I have no degree in Ex Sci
I've been a personal trainer for 12 years (ACE 12 years, NSCA 2 years)
I've been managing Corporate Fitness Centers for 7 years (Non-Commercial/Non Profit Gyms).
I've got my MBA and my BS degrees.

I've applied for an assistant director position at a local university's Fitness Center, but they "require" an Ex Sci degree in their Minimal Requirements.

Would you call me in for an interview?

What questions would you ask?

[standAPART]

Dave,
There is no reason why you still shouldn't submit your resume. Typically, minimum requirements are developed by human resource personnel that don't have clue what requirements are needed for such a position. Employers will always look at experience if you don't have a degree and if anything, can still offer you the job--only with a lower salary.

[muscletrainerdh-NSCA CPT]

Hey John thanks! I did apply!

I just get this bout of "self doubt" because I never was formally educated (IE College) with Exercise Sci or Kinesiology and wonder if the interviewer will surprise me with a question that I"m not too knowledgable about.

I am looking into taking those Post Grad though.

Thanks again for the encouragement.

[rbd]

Unfortunately in the university setting you will find this and I am really suprised they don't require a masters degree in exercise science, plus university experience. I have a MS degree in exercise science and also applied for a similar position awhile back and I did not get an interview because I did not have univeristy experience, though I have 11 years of various experience in the industry, plus two degrees in the field. You will find at the university setting they are big on formal education in the field, even though there may be great canidates out there. I wish you the best of luck and hopefully this university can look past the lack of degree.

Jeff

[muscletrainerdh-NSCA CPT]

Yeah when I read the job discription there is stuff that is so specific to a University setting that I almost thought it was just posted as a formality and they already had someone in mind.

But then I thought, Wait a friggin minute, I've got a 4 year degree and my MBA, I'm no dummy, I can learn any system/procedure. So I applied.

I even know a professor at that university who said I should list him as a reference, but I didn't as they only requested "Professional" references not personal.

We will see. I'm not overly optimistic that I'll get called in but I'm going to remain positive.

Thanks for sharing your experience, Jeff.

Dave

[kelli m]

Hi,

The university world can be a little difficult in such matters. They sometimes get very wrapped up in majors and degrees, and end up 'throwing the baby out with the bath water'. I have seen individuals apply for jobs that hold MUCH stronger degrees than recreation or exercise science and be turned down for a university fitness center degree.

One of the best examples was an MBA holder who had recreation and intramural experience but was passed over by a lady with an EDD in nothing special, and was dumb as dirt. She took my personal training certification class and could not perform simply math or locate major muscle groups on a diagram.

In defense however, sometimes these positions require teaching undergads and sometimes graduate students. They just want to be sure that the job candidate is familiar with these majors and have taken the classes that they may be teaching.

Good luck.

Kelli