| I am a currently a Prevention Educator, and in this | | | | fuels the movement, but the overall success of the |
| profession it is very important to have effective | | | | movement relies on strong communication and |
| communication skills. It is my job to work with various | | | | organizational skills. |
| groups of teens throughout the community. I educate | | | | When working in this type of a community-based |
| these youth about the dangers of tobacco use. I need | | | | profession where your goal is prevention, effective |
| to do this in a way to persuade them not to start | | | | communication is a must. My job has challenged me to |
| smoking and be active in the fight against Big Tobacco. | | | | become a confident public speaker. When I began a |
| My primary job duty is to coordinate our state-wide | | | | year and a half ago I was nauseous at the thought of |
| teens against tobacco movement. I am responsible for | | | | speaking to large group of people. Now I confidently |
| communicating with over 400 teens in the county | | | | march in front of the group and proudly deliver my |
| every month. I need to spread the message of our | | | | message. All of the practice has certainly paid-off, but |
| organization throughout the county; I need to recruit | | | | developing a strong knowledge on the subject really |
| new teens to join in on the movement; I need to | | | | makes my educational tobacco presentations a |
| effectively relay information to them to get them out | | | | breeze. Not to mention I mainly get to work with teens |
| to our meetings; I need to educate the youth on | | | | so delivering a high energy, almost off-the-wall |
| various tobacco-related topics such as current | | | | presentation isn't only more fun, it's effective. |
| targeting trends in the tobacco industry, current health | | | | I am really fortunate to have this job. It helps to |
| implications, and current smoke-free legislation; I need | | | | enhance my communication skills not only on a |
| to listen to the teens to get their feedback about many | | | | professional level, but in every other aspect of life |
| aspects of the program so I can make changes and | | | | where effective communication is key. |
| improvements where necessary. Of course the | | | | February, 2005. |
| members' passion to promote a smoke-free society | | | | |