Yesterday I visited the Anaheim location of the South Baylo University clinic. I was with two felow students of the California University of Management and Sciences, CalUMS. For the tour which was in preparation of a bigger tour with a group of about 20 CalUMS students to South Baylo University, we were escorted by one acupuncture student doing his internship. He is currently completing his last graduation requirement modules and will march during the upcoming graduation ceremony on May 18th, 2013.
When we asked the intern if he had promising job prospects after his graduation, he had a very positive answer. He took us to one of the notice board on campus reserved for job opportunity postings and he began to tell us about how good he will have it after graduation. He told us the reason why he is so optimistic is because he understands that:
- You better be extremely good at your craft. From his perspective as an acupuncture student and soon to be practitioner, he said those who make the most money in his profession are those who treat patients best and improve their conditions.
- You should never stop learning. There is only so much you can learn in classrooms. He told us the California State Board regulating their profession has a required number of hours of learning one must complete to retain his state certification after graduation and passing the State Board exam. Every professional should make life long learning (not only practicing) a requirement to stay in business.
- You must create and develop a strong professional network. The intern explained that many chiropractors and other alternative health medicine practitioners are increasingly integrating acupuncture into the treatment and solutions they offer their patients. That is creating a huge opportunity for those who have a good network of professionals in their address books will be poised to take advantage of right out of school.
I love speaking, but I am always amazed at how much I learn when I keep my mouth shut and listen. The principles shared by that young acupuncture student apply to every profession and I am happy I can now count him as one of the contacts in my network. Which one of the above items is most important?