WHAT IS YOUR DIPLOMA WORTH? By Joel E. Margolies, DC joel3639@aol.com When I graduated Life College in June 1978, I left the halls of the then small school with some of your same concerns and doubts, "was all the study and time worth it." From 1995 until 1999, I taught Life University upper quarter students a COMT class concerning opening a successful practice. I tried to offer practical information to reduce student concern and doubt. Even today, students still question "will all the study and time be worth it." I am here to tell you that it will be .. very much so. As students you soon conform to study, tests and boards. The end result of all the classes, labs and assemblies is to gather knowledge, retain some experience, pass state and national boards, and be handed a diploma with the possibility of practicing worldwide. Once the hour of graduation gets close, decisions have to be made. Where do I plant my roots; how will I pay my student loans; will I associate, be an independent contractor or go solo; what should I do from day one, and how do I manage a business when I lack the experience. These are all valid concerns, but if you take a moment to think about it, every chiropractor before you had these same concerns and most of them did quite well. Success begins today while a student. Allot time to focus on basic skills; skills in communications, technic and philosophy. What is your diploma worth and did you make the correct choice considering chiropractic a career path? My answer is a resounding yes. The piece of paper handed to you on graduation day is more than a parchment documenting your time spent .. it is the next handoff in the relay race toward Health and Wellness. If you wish to succeed in your role as a chiropractor you must have the tools to guide you all the way. The early lectures on chiropractic history and philosophy seemed trivial compared to spinal anatomy, but these courses set and will keep you on the proper path during lean and great times. Hours spent attending assemblies and listening to guest lecturers, though possibly trying and tiring at times, actually cemented many of the concepts in real terms. Courses that seemed unimportant and teachers that seemed even more so, were far from it. These esoteric and conceptual tools were the matrix that binds the philosophy with the art and science. Doctors with a hint of reality capture the attention of their community and apply the science and art which is taught well at Life. Passing boards gets you in the door, but don¼t lose sight of what is on the other side. But will all this hard work be worth it? As students you have every right to complain and gripe about your school .. any school. An institution of higher learning is a depository of information where data is spread around and those that wish to retrieve and retain benefit the most. Hands on experience comes with practice and the learning curve never seems to stop. Capture the moment now. Realize that every class hour is another coating of polish that will shine with you from day one. A thought here and a thought there comes back in waves when you least expect it. Chiropractors are deductive scientists reviewing all the parts as they are. Chiropractors are a nuisance to conventional healthcare because we question why and look for correction. This concept didn¼t begin on graduation day, it began with first quarter classes and continued to the end. In the shadow of complaints about student parking and tuition fees was a remodeling from citizen to chiropractor. But, will it be worth it? Business is business and make no mistake about it .. healthcare is a business. People who seek your attention look to you for objective advice with practical answers to why they hurt. Patients, once understanding the concepts you acquired in school will go beyond their limited parameters of insurance and pay to maintain their valuable asset .. health. People that appreciate the reality of the subluxation complex will search for chiropractors that appreciate it as well, and who also offer maintenance care for the entire family. People that understand the biomechanical reality of wear and tear will recommend pro-active ergonomic programs where they work taught by chiropractors, experts in postural and neurological stress. Managed care will seem like unmanaged mayhem to the doctor that can communicate the entire story rather than a small piece. Gather your thoughts today .. incorporate the science with the art and package it with the philosophy .. this is the story. Each class, no matter how trivial you perceive it to be is a piece of it this story. From biochemistry to neurology; from gross anatomy to public health with all the ethics classes in between, they all add to your recipe of success. No doubt, the healthcare industry is in a state of transition. Insurance has resorted to managed care with restricted provider lists and benefit coverage. Some established doctors find this a rough road to travel and some practices have suffered. Others have seized the moment and continued the educational process within their community and never missed a beat. The choice toward success remains in your hands, as it always will be. Will it be worth it .. you bet! Dr. Joel E. Margolies is in active practice in Tucker, Georgia. He presently send a free weekly e-mail to over 4700 DC¼s in 30 countries concerning Practice Management, Public Relations and Philosophy. He also has a resourceful chiropractic webpage: http://www.mindspring.com/~chirosmart. If you wish to receive his weekly e-mail newsletter please e-mail him at: joel3639@aol.com