Cyndy Woodhouse on “Giving Back”

In the past, Cyndy Woodhouse made a brief but eloquent plea on the boards of LDDebate.org for graduating students to consider giving their time back to the community that gave them so much. Having just received my bachelor’s degree two days ago, I feel particularly compelled to repeat her important message. Thus, with her permission, it is my pleasure to to repost her plea to graduates.

Recently, I’ve noticed that a number of first through fourth-year outs have been posting to be hired as coaches and judges for various debate tournaments. I believe strongly in the value of this activity, so I think this needs to be given additional attention.

As anyone involved in the activity, I appreciate the continued involvement of former debaters continuing their careers as coaches and judges to give back to the community. At the same time, I want to take this opportunity to plug for those graduating from college and those choosing their majors based on possible career opportunities.

Debate coaches are a HUGE asset to any school. Most schools acknowledge the benefits of speech and debate on the local and national circuit, not only as publicity for the school, but for the activity and experience, leading to better colleges, better jobs, etc. It’s a nice little circle.

It is my hope that those presently in college and those looking forward to graduation will consider the future of the activity, not simply what can be gained at present. As one who also coached and debated in college (on top of two part-time jobs), I know how trying the schedule may become, however, it is important for those of you continuing on with your education to know what you’re looking at.

As you know, debate is a wonderful activity, helping students to develop communication skills important to the workplace and beyond. As such, consider coaching in college. Don’t be concerned about the already “prominent” programs. The best experience you can get is as a new coach, building a program. In addition, consider teaching as a career. Though the pay isn’t the best, you are more than well compensated depending on living expenses and time you’re willing to put into other activities.

If you choose not to teach, support your local programs. Though we run a big program, a good deal of our funding throughout the year comes from companies and local businesses who recognize the importance of speech and debate in the lives of its participants. Encourage your employer to take interest in a local program and perpetuate the activity in any way possible.

Outside of teaching, it is possible to coach a program and every effort should be made to give back to the activity which granted you success, national exposure and ability to even converse with adults on another level.

In short, appreciate the activity for what it does, who you have met and what you can do for it. The number of job openings which include speech and/or debate coaching jobs is staggering, but positive. It conveys a significant need, but more importantly, it conveys an interest. Schools know why this activity is great and what it can do for students in school and later in life. This fact alone should be motivation.

Consider giving back.
Consider helping build.
Consider what you have gotten.
Consider the future of the activity.

Thanks
Just my $.02

Cyndy Woodhouse

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 24th, 2005 at 12:55 pm and is filed under Guest Opinion Pieces. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.