Growing the Field: Maximizing the Potential of your Interns
As strength and conditioning professionals we are eager to give back to the field, develop the next generation of coaches, and build our coaching tree. However, overseeing an internship program and/or supervising and mentoring interns is a complex and challenging task that, despite our best intentions, is de-prioritized based upon the demands of our current roles. During this presentation, Dr MK Feit will use her previous experiences in collegiate strength and conditioning, her educational background in teaching, and her current role as Strength and Conditioning Graduate Program Director at Springfield College to assist audience members in understanding the components of an effective internship program, determining effective and realistic internship protocols, and applying the information to their specific setting. Special attention will be paid throughout the presentation to not only preparing interns for their future occupation, but also assisting them in being effective and impactful interns throughout the current internship.
Dr MK Feit currently serves as the Program Director of the Strength and Conditioning Graduate Program at Springfield College. In addition to her role in academics, MK is also the Associate Director of Strength and Conditioning assisting in the oversight of 24 varsity sports, 6 Graduate Assistants, and at least 10 interns per semester. Additionally, MK travels around the country presenting at conferences about topics such as internship education, reflective practice in strength and conditioning coaches, and effective coaching behaviors in strength and conditioning. MK's career in strength and conditioning began when she was hired at Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning (MBSC) as part of the summer staff at the young age of 16. MK worked at MBSC during the summer while completing her high school and undergraduate education. MK played division I soccer at the College of the Holy Cross and graduated with a degree in biology. Following her undergraduate education, MK went to Springfield College to pursue her graduate degree in strength and conditioning. At Springfield College, MK was a GA strength and conditioning coach serving as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Football, Men's Soccer, Men's Volleyball, Women's Basketball, and Softball. After finishing her degree, MK was an assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Iowa, coaching women's soccer and field hockey, and the University of Louisville, coaching field hockey, women's lacrosse, and men's tennis, prior to shifting to the private sector. MK, her husband, and Coach Bobby Smith opened Reach Your Potential Training (RYPT), a private sector facility focused on sports performance, in Tinton Falls NJ. After a successful six years in the private sector, MK determined her true passion was in developing strength and conditioning coaches. MK and her husband, Adam Feit, decided to move back to the Springfield College area and pursue their doctoral degrees. Both MK and Adam are now hired as professors at Springfield College and work together to maintain and build the reputation of Springfield College Strength and Conditioning and develop the next wave of strength and conditioning coaches. In addition to their work at Springfield College, MK and Adam are co-owners of Team Feit Performance (TFP), a private sector sports performance facility in Wilbraham MA. MK's favorite part of owning TFP is watching her children, Cody (age 12) and Macy (age 10), and their friends gain the same love for strength and conditioning as she gained training at MBSC as a youth athlete.
