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Hello! My name is Samir and I am a current high school student. I'm conducting an interview with any professional in the Physical Therapist field for a Foundations in Health Science Class project about careers! I have created a total of 13 questions. Comment on this post, answering all 13 questions to be a part of my assignment. Thank You for your time!
1. What profession did you choose? Why?
2. How many years of college did you need to go through?
3. What jobs did you work on before you landed your present professional job?
4. How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
5. Were you in a college program?
6. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
7. Did you shadow another professional in the field?
8. Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession?
9. Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
11. Was there any specific role model or inspiration in your life for this career?
12. Would you recommend this career to people who are soft-hearted and need praise consistently?
13. How do you normally feel throughout every day of your job?
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2 answers
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Susie’s Answer
1. What profession did you choose? Why? I am a pediatric physical therapist currently working in infants, toddlers, and their families. I wanted to be a pediatrician, but I found PT was way too fun and never went back for med school as planned.
2. How many years of college did you need to go through? 4 years undergrad, 2 years for Masters, and then want back for a transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy in Pediatric Science, which took another 18 months.
3. What jobs did you work on before you landed your present professional job? I've worked as a pediatric PT in many different settings such as in several schools, a few NICUs (neonatal intensive care units), outpatient clinics, pools, a summer camp, and as a home visitor. Before working as a PT, I had many other jobs. I have been working since age 11!
4. How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field? If you wish to teach or do research, a PhD would be helpful. If you have a certain area of the field you are super enthusiastic about, that you would love to spend 4-5 years totally immersed in, go for it.
5. Were you in a college program? Yes, I did a BS in college, then an MS, then a DPT.
6. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date? I finished my BS at age 21, MS at 34 and DPT at 49!
7. Did you shadow another professional in the field? No, but I volunteered in high school and college at my local community hospital in the PT department, so I got to see therapists in action often.
8. Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession? In college I served on the Student Senate as the representative of the College of Physical Therapy, so that was helpful in learning about legislative policy and procedures. I also joined several clubs focused on issues of Social Justice and caring for others in the community.
9. Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years? Math! Still a mystery in many ways.
10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career? I learned to be a critical thinker who could analyze and interpret research. I learned to be more patient and empathetic. I learned to be a better communicator.
11. Was there any specific role model or inspiration in your life for this career? My older sister, Mary, who was a PT 4 years before me.
12. Would you recommend this career to people who are soft-hearted and need praise consistently? I don't know if those characteristics would exclude someone from the field, but it might make it challenging for someone if they require constant praise as that is not something that you would experience daily.
13. How do you normally feel throughout every day of your job? Curious. Amused. Excited. Grateful to still love the work after 30 years. I laugh a lot with the babies. I am grateful that I get to serve my community in this way. I learn something new every day.
2. How many years of college did you need to go through? 4 years undergrad, 2 years for Masters, and then want back for a transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy in Pediatric Science, which took another 18 months.
3. What jobs did you work on before you landed your present professional job? I've worked as a pediatric PT in many different settings such as in several schools, a few NICUs (neonatal intensive care units), outpatient clinics, pools, a summer camp, and as a home visitor. Before working as a PT, I had many other jobs. I have been working since age 11!
4. How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field? If you wish to teach or do research, a PhD would be helpful. If you have a certain area of the field you are super enthusiastic about, that you would love to spend 4-5 years totally immersed in, go for it.
5. Were you in a college program? Yes, I did a BS in college, then an MS, then a DPT.
6. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date? I finished my BS at age 21, MS at 34 and DPT at 49!
7. Did you shadow another professional in the field? No, but I volunteered in high school and college at my local community hospital in the PT department, so I got to see therapists in action often.
8. Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession? In college I served on the Student Senate as the representative of the College of Physical Therapy, so that was helpful in learning about legislative policy and procedures. I also joined several clubs focused on issues of Social Justice and caring for others in the community.
9. Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years? Math! Still a mystery in many ways.
10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career? I learned to be a critical thinker who could analyze and interpret research. I learned to be more patient and empathetic. I learned to be a better communicator.
11. Was there any specific role model or inspiration in your life for this career? My older sister, Mary, who was a PT 4 years before me.
12. Would you recommend this career to people who are soft-hearted and need praise consistently? I don't know if those characteristics would exclude someone from the field, but it might make it challenging for someone if they require constant praise as that is not something that you would experience daily.
13. How do you normally feel throughout every day of your job? Curious. Amused. Excited. Grateful to still love the work after 30 years. I laugh a lot with the babies. I am grateful that I get to serve my community in this way. I learn something new every day.
Thank you for your reply!
Samir
Updated
Nathalya’s Answer
Hey Samir! How's it going? I'm a physical therapist from Brazil, and although I'm not from your area, I'd be happy to help with any questions you have.
1. I chose to become a Physical Therapist because I've always had a passion for helping others and being part of their healing process. I went for Cardiology and Respiratory Therapy, which lets me work in ICUs, ERs, and patient units. Medicine was a bit too much for me at the time, and it still is.
2. To become a PT in Brazil, I studied at university for 4.5 years and completed 14 months of residency/specialization.
3. Since 2017, I've also been working as an English as a Second Language teacher. I divide my time between the school and the hospital where I work.
4. If you're interested in the academic field, there are plenty of opportunities!
5. No, I wasn't involved in sports.
6. I took a 2-year break from college, returned, and completed my degree. It wasn't so much a pivot but more like taking some time off.
7. When I decided to become a PT, I wasn't sure which specific field I wanted to enter. I learned about the various options during my studies.
8. I didn't join any clubs while at university. Clubs are not as common in Brazil as in the US, but I did participate in some Spinal Cord Injury groups from the US.
9. I had my fair share of struggles with Physics, Chemistry, and Math. But I managed to cope during college, and even now, when I use these subjects daily at the hospital.
10. Some important skills I've developed include empathy, teamwork, argumentation, and emotional control.
11. I didn't have specific role models, but I did admire two female professors during college. One went to Harvard, and the other works with children with neurological diseases in Dubai.
12. For me, being a PT is not about rewards. It's about giving your best to care for others without expecting anything in return.
13. The job can be stressful and exhausting on a physical and mental level, but in the end, it's worth it. I have no regrets!
I hope this gives you some insight into my journey as a PT. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!
1. I chose to become a Physical Therapist because I've always had a passion for helping others and being part of their healing process. I went for Cardiology and Respiratory Therapy, which lets me work in ICUs, ERs, and patient units. Medicine was a bit too much for me at the time, and it still is.
2. To become a PT in Brazil, I studied at university for 4.5 years and completed 14 months of residency/specialization.
3. Since 2017, I've also been working as an English as a Second Language teacher. I divide my time between the school and the hospital where I work.
4. If you're interested in the academic field, there are plenty of opportunities!
5. No, I wasn't involved in sports.
6. I took a 2-year break from college, returned, and completed my degree. It wasn't so much a pivot but more like taking some time off.
7. When I decided to become a PT, I wasn't sure which specific field I wanted to enter. I learned about the various options during my studies.
8. I didn't join any clubs while at university. Clubs are not as common in Brazil as in the US, but I did participate in some Spinal Cord Injury groups from the US.
9. I had my fair share of struggles with Physics, Chemistry, and Math. But I managed to cope during college, and even now, when I use these subjects daily at the hospital.
10. Some important skills I've developed include empathy, teamwork, argumentation, and emotional control.
11. I didn't have specific role models, but I did admire two female professors during college. One went to Harvard, and the other works with children with neurological diseases in Dubai.
12. For me, being a PT is not about rewards. It's about giving your best to care for others without expecting anything in return.
13. The job can be stressful and exhausting on a physical and mental level, but in the end, it's worth it. I have no regrets!
I hope this gives you some insight into my journey as a PT. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!
Thank you very much!!!
Samir