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Hello! My name is Arianna T, and I am a current high school student. I'm conducting an interview with any professional in the Orthopedic field for a foundation in health science class project about careers! I have created a total of 13 questions. Please comment on this post, answering all 13 questions to be apart of my assignment. ?
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 through 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. What's your work environment like?
12. What is your favorite and least favorite part of your career?
13. What sacrifices did you have to make in order to achieve where you are today with your profession?
2 answers
Updated
Lauren’s Answer
1. What profession did you choose? Why?
I chose a profession in the Orthopedic Physical Therapy field as a Physical Therapist Assistant in an Outpatient Orthopedic setting because I had an interest in sports growing up. As an athlete, I had suffered several sports injuries and landed myself in PT as a patient many times, and could see myself in that setting. I really liked and respected my therapists and thought, "That's a cool job."
I originally chose Advertising as my major and worked in the industry for 5 years after my 4-year college degree. I did not like the corporate world and had always tossed around the idea of physical therapy because I enjoyed it so much as a patient so I decided to make the jump to that industry. I did not have any satisfaction sitting at a desk all day and having to go to meetings/conferences. I didn't feel like my work made a difference and I was just spinning my wheels to make my company money, which made our clients money, just so I could make money. And repeat.
Why didn't I go that route in the first place? I could have. I guess I thought, "Anatomy is hard," or that I didn't have what it took to become a PT. But my desire to help people and feel good about the work that I did encouraged me to look into it. A Doctorate of Physical Therapy program seemed out of reach for someone like me with an unrelated background, but once I found a Physical Therapist Assistant program, I thought it was perfect for my situation. Beats any day at the desk job.
2. How many years of college did you need to go through?
I have a 4-year Bachelor of Science degree. I then transferred to a community college that honored all of my general education requirements. It took me another 2 years to complete an Associate's in Applied Science in a Physical Therapist Assistant program.
3. What jobs did you work before you landed your current professional job?
I was a copywriter and account manager prior to my career change. When I made the switch, my first job was as a Rehabilitation Technician (Rehab Tech) for an outpatient orthopedic company. It was a great learning experience and supplement to what I was learning in the classroom while I was in the PTA program. I highly recommend starting here. It was an invaluable experience as someone just starting out in the field.
4. How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
PTs need a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. In order to apply for school you will need to have completed a 4-year Bachelor's degree (preferably in a health/science-related program so you make sure to have all the right prerequisites to apply), and then complete a 3-year Doctorate program to become a DPT.
To become a PTA, you can go straight to a community college and complete your gen eds and then it's a 2-year program once you're accepted into the PTA program.
As a DPT or PTA, there are accelerated program options depending on the school. If you know as a freshman that you want to become a DPT, some colleges have you on a " pre-PT track" so that you complete some of your doctorate coursework during your undergrad and then it's only an additional 2 years to get your DPT. Or some private PTA schools weave the gen eds in with the PTA coursework and have very little time off for breaks and it can be done in less than 2 years total.
5. Were you in a college program?
Yes. I have a Bachelor's degree and an Associate's degree. See above.
6. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
Yup. I was in school with a lot of students who had changed areas of healthcare to become PTA's or completely changed industries like myself. I know this to be true of some DPT students as well. Or in the case of PTA school, another 1/3 of the students attempted to get into DPT school and were not accepted so they went the PTA route instead. Or I could still go back to school, again, to become a DPT.
7. Did you shadow another professional in the field?
Yes. Most schools require that you log so many observation or volunteer/work hours in the industry before considering your application. Because it is in such high demand, they want to accept people who are serious about the program and won't change their minds and back out, because it takes up the spot of another applicant. Both DPT and PTA programs anymore are very competitive. When I applied I was one of 22 students accepted into a PTA program that had over 100 applicants.
I logged observation hours in 3 different settings (acute rehab, pediatrics, outpatient ortho) and received letters of recommendation from the therapists I shadowed. I spent 16-24 hours with each of them. My program might have required only 20-40 hours. Even that though gave me a glimpse of what settings I liked and what I didn't. I was most familiar with and always knew I liked outpatient orthopedic.
8. Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession?
No. My school didn't have any. You're really busy enough and surrounded by enough by the content in a full-time program anyway. You're in class full-time for the first part of the program. And then during clinical rotations, you start working as a student while still taking some classes. And then the last portion of school you practically don't have any coursework because you're full-time at a clinical rotation like a real job and that's part of your schooling/learning experience.
9. Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
The Nervous System really confuses me! There are so many nerves and neurological PT is a really different world than orthopedic PT. It is not my strong suit.
10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
Time management. Whether that's making sure you complete coursework or showing up (early) to clinicals. Juggling class with clinicals with studying and personal/family time. It's stressful if you make it, but if you are committed and have a plan, you will stay ahead of it.
Budgeting. In a DPT program, you may not have time to work at all. Money management was real and it was tight while I was in school.
Not to mention all the industry-specific skills: Patient interaction, empathy, tactile/hands-on skills working with a patient, and patience while you allow yourself to learn and practice because we all have to start somewhere.
11. What's your work environment like?
Fun. Busy.
12. What is your favorite and least favorite part of your career?
My favorite parts are seeing patients progress and do well, or coming back to visit just to say Hi, and the awesome co-workers who all do the same thing you're doing and you grow to work well together.
My least favorite are the long hours and my own aches and pains I get from the physical demands of the job, that I should know better than to let happen or at least know how to rehab myself! :)
13. What sacrifices did you have to make in order to achieve where you are today with your profession?
I committed to studying hard in the library and taking practice exams for the state licensure exam. If there was a way for me to work harder to learn more, I took those opportunities, which took up extra time.
Contact a local PT provider to see if you can go in to observe and see if it's the right fit for you and what you have in mind for a career
Check out college PT program websites to make sure you are set to take the right prerequisite courses to apply
Tag along with a family member or friend (if allowed) to their physical therapy appointment
I chose a profession in the Orthopedic Physical Therapy field as a Physical Therapist Assistant in an Outpatient Orthopedic setting because I had an interest in sports growing up. As an athlete, I had suffered several sports injuries and landed myself in PT as a patient many times, and could see myself in that setting. I really liked and respected my therapists and thought, "That's a cool job."
I originally chose Advertising as my major and worked in the industry for 5 years after my 4-year college degree. I did not like the corporate world and had always tossed around the idea of physical therapy because I enjoyed it so much as a patient so I decided to make the jump to that industry. I did not have any satisfaction sitting at a desk all day and having to go to meetings/conferences. I didn't feel like my work made a difference and I was just spinning my wheels to make my company money, which made our clients money, just so I could make money. And repeat.
Why didn't I go that route in the first place? I could have. I guess I thought, "Anatomy is hard," or that I didn't have what it took to become a PT. But my desire to help people and feel good about the work that I did encouraged me to look into it. A Doctorate of Physical Therapy program seemed out of reach for someone like me with an unrelated background, but once I found a Physical Therapist Assistant program, I thought it was perfect for my situation. Beats any day at the desk job.
2. How many years of college did you need to go through?
I have a 4-year Bachelor of Science degree. I then transferred to a community college that honored all of my general education requirements. It took me another 2 years to complete an Associate's in Applied Science in a Physical Therapist Assistant program.
3. What jobs did you work before you landed your current professional job?
I was a copywriter and account manager prior to my career change. When I made the switch, my first job was as a Rehabilitation Technician (Rehab Tech) for an outpatient orthopedic company. It was a great learning experience and supplement to what I was learning in the classroom while I was in the PTA program. I highly recommend starting here. It was an invaluable experience as someone just starting out in the field.
4. How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
PTs need a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. In order to apply for school you will need to have completed a 4-year Bachelor's degree (preferably in a health/science-related program so you make sure to have all the right prerequisites to apply), and then complete a 3-year Doctorate program to become a DPT.
To become a PTA, you can go straight to a community college and complete your gen eds and then it's a 2-year program once you're accepted into the PTA program.
As a DPT or PTA, there are accelerated program options depending on the school. If you know as a freshman that you want to become a DPT, some colleges have you on a " pre-PT track" so that you complete some of your doctorate coursework during your undergrad and then it's only an additional 2 years to get your DPT. Or some private PTA schools weave the gen eds in with the PTA coursework and have very little time off for breaks and it can be done in less than 2 years total.
5. Were you in a college program?
Yes. I have a Bachelor's degree and an Associate's degree. See above.
6. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
Yup. I was in school with a lot of students who had changed areas of healthcare to become PTA's or completely changed industries like myself. I know this to be true of some DPT students as well. Or in the case of PTA school, another 1/3 of the students attempted to get into DPT school and were not accepted so they went the PTA route instead. Or I could still go back to school, again, to become a DPT.
7. Did you shadow another professional in the field?
Yes. Most schools require that you log so many observation or volunteer/work hours in the industry before considering your application. Because it is in such high demand, they want to accept people who are serious about the program and won't change their minds and back out, because it takes up the spot of another applicant. Both DPT and PTA programs anymore are very competitive. When I applied I was one of 22 students accepted into a PTA program that had over 100 applicants.
I logged observation hours in 3 different settings (acute rehab, pediatrics, outpatient ortho) and received letters of recommendation from the therapists I shadowed. I spent 16-24 hours with each of them. My program might have required only 20-40 hours. Even that though gave me a glimpse of what settings I liked and what I didn't. I was most familiar with and always knew I liked outpatient orthopedic.
8. Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession?
No. My school didn't have any. You're really busy enough and surrounded by enough by the content in a full-time program anyway. You're in class full-time for the first part of the program. And then during clinical rotations, you start working as a student while still taking some classes. And then the last portion of school you practically don't have any coursework because you're full-time at a clinical rotation like a real job and that's part of your schooling/learning experience.
9. Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
The Nervous System really confuses me! There are so many nerves and neurological PT is a really different world than orthopedic PT. It is not my strong suit.
10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
Time management. Whether that's making sure you complete coursework or showing up (early) to clinicals. Juggling class with clinicals with studying and personal/family time. It's stressful if you make it, but if you are committed and have a plan, you will stay ahead of it.
Budgeting. In a DPT program, you may not have time to work at all. Money management was real and it was tight while I was in school.
Not to mention all the industry-specific skills: Patient interaction, empathy, tactile/hands-on skills working with a patient, and patience while you allow yourself to learn and practice because we all have to start somewhere.
11. What's your work environment like?
Fun. Busy.
12. What is your favorite and least favorite part of your career?
My favorite parts are seeing patients progress and do well, or coming back to visit just to say Hi, and the awesome co-workers who all do the same thing you're doing and you grow to work well together.
My least favorite are the long hours and my own aches and pains I get from the physical demands of the job, that I should know better than to let happen or at least know how to rehab myself! :)
13. What sacrifices did you have to make in order to achieve where you are today with your profession?
I committed to studying hard in the library and taking practice exams for the state licensure exam. If there was a way for me to work harder to learn more, I took those opportunities, which took up extra time.
Lauren recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Elmer’s Answer
Hey Ariana! I hope you're having a fantastic day. I'm excited to answer your 13 questions, and I'll do my best with the English I've got since I'm from Peru. 😊
1. I studied accounting, which I chose based on my mom's suggestion.
2. It took me 5 years to complete my degree.
3. I didn't have a job before this one, as I wanted to focus on my studies.
4. To choose a career, I'd recommend checking out job offers in your country and what employers look for in candidates.
5. In my country, we don't have college programs; instead, university includes everything.
6. I have never regretted my career.
7. I admire a good friend who has been highly successful in accounting.
8. Professional organizations exist here, called "Colegios Profesionales." To work in your field, you need to pay them a yearly fee.
9. My biggest challenge at work is dealing with not-so-nice coworkers.
10. I've learned to double-check everything before providing an answer.
11. My job is generally peaceful, but sometimes there are disagreements with employees, bosses, or suppliers.
12. I love the high pay, but my least favorite part is constantly changing laws.
13. I had to sacrifice some family time to meet my bosses' objectives.
It was great to meet you, Ariana! Take care and have a fantastic day! 😄
1. I studied accounting, which I chose based on my mom's suggestion.
2. It took me 5 years to complete my degree.
3. I didn't have a job before this one, as I wanted to focus on my studies.
4. To choose a career, I'd recommend checking out job offers in your country and what employers look for in candidates.
5. In my country, we don't have college programs; instead, university includes everything.
6. I have never regretted my career.
7. I admire a good friend who has been highly successful in accounting.
8. Professional organizations exist here, called "Colegios Profesionales." To work in your field, you need to pay them a yearly fee.
9. My biggest challenge at work is dealing with not-so-nice coworkers.
10. I've learned to double-check everything before providing an answer.
11. My job is generally peaceful, but sometimes there are disagreements with employees, bosses, or suppliers.
12. I love the high pay, but my least favorite part is constantly changing laws.
13. I had to sacrifice some family time to meet my bosses' objectives.
It was great to meet you, Ariana! Take care and have a fantastic day! 😄
Thank You, Elmer, for Your response, it was beneficial for my project. Have a great day!!
Arianna
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