Career path... asking for your insight

[lee9786]

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Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum. Let me introduce myself. I'm a current graduate from Penn State University with an AS in Business Management and a BS in Nutrition Science. After much thought, research, and soul searching, I've decided a career in Physical Therapy would be a better fit for me. I have questions regarding the approach I should take. Any help is greatly appreciated.

After graduation at PSU I enrolled in courses at an accredited community college in Maryland to start satisfying the required prerequisites needed for admittance to DPT programs. After this spring 2009 semester, I'll have all but two semesters of physics completed. This summer I am planning to take the GREs. I plan on having everything completed but my one physics class done by the Dec 2009 deadline (from what I understand one prereq class uncompleted at the time of application isn't a problem as long as it is completed prior to the beginning of the program.)

So there is my current plan for taking care of the required acedemic portion of admission. I feel confident the plan should work but please feel free to provide any input or constructive critism. One of my areas of weakness is work-related experience. I have none. I utilized my knowledge and skills in the fine-dining service industry to help get me through school and get me to this point. My lack of experience presents two questions. How do I get the experience, and how do I get enough experience where two PTs will write a "letter of recommendation" for me?

Since I have a couple degrees, I've been trying to get a job in the area as a Physical Therapy Aide. From what I understand these positions are in demand. In my area we have a couple hospitals. Health profession jobs is actually pretty good in this area. My resume's go without response however. The next idea would be to just volunteer. I really do need to find a way to get paid for my time though if I can. Even if it isn't much. I don't have alot of extra time or resources. This is what concerns me. I'm still in a position where I need to work to get through school. Put on top of that family obligations which take time. I feel like I'm getting pulled in thirteen different directions right now.

Here might be a better option for me. One that I've been considering but could be a slap in the face regarding how much time I've put into going for DPT. It may not be possible due to my accumulated dept of around 50k... The college I'm taking these classes at also has an accredited PTA program. I already have the prereqs for this program completed. It would take me one year to complete the program with paying an extra $7000. I figure this scenario... work as a PTA, gain experience, pay off some dept, and then apply to a DPT program at another time.

While going to school for DPT I could work as a PTA. I figure this could also increase my chances of getting into a DPT program. I shouldn't have any problem with attaining "letters of recommendation" if I've been working in the field. I do understand that PT credits would not transfer, and I would have to take them over again but possibly the benefits exceed the costs. Of course there's no gaurantee that I would get into the PTA program in the first place because it is very competitive (around 80-90
applicants with only 17 seats.) I've also heard rumors that if you are a PTA, and with indivdiuals as far as I am with my schooling, that possibly a work provider my pay for my education at a DPT program or at least assist with tuition costs. Does this occur and if so what stipulations does a company require if they do reimburse one's schooling.

Here are my current stats

Cum GPA 3.62
Nutrition major GPA 3.87
GREs (not currently taken. Looking to take this summer after studying for a couple months)
Work experience - Part-time employee with the community college as "Science Tutor"

It seems to me that as individuals have a great need for physical therapy help, I should be able to obtain a paid position, gain the needed experience, as well as recommendation letters. What specialty area of PT would have the most demand for PT help from an individual that has no certification as PT or PTA? I feel that I can help out and I want to help out. Too much of my time has been spent in a restaurant setting. I want to contribute and make a difference in peoples lives. Any help is appreciated.

Mike

 

[marathoner04]

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum. Let me introduce myself. I'm a current graduate from Penn State University with an AS in Business Management and a BS in Nutrition Science. After much thought, research, and soul searching, I've decided a career in Physical Therapy would be a better fit for me. I have questions regarding the approach I should take. Any help is greatly appreciated.

After graduation at PSU I enrolled in courses at an accredited community college in Maryland to start satisfying the required prerequisites needed for admittance to DPT programs. After this spring 2009 semester, I'll have all but two semesters of physics completed. This summer I am planning to take the GREs. I plan on having everything completed but my one physics class done by the Dec 2009 deadline (from what I understand one prereq class uncompleted at the time of application isn't a problem as long as it is completed prior to the beginning of the program.)

So there is my current plan for taking care of the required acedemic portion of admission. I feel confident the plan should work but please feel free to provide any input or constructive critism. One of my areas of weakness is work-related experience. I have none. I utilized my knowledge and skills in the fine-dining service industry to help get me through school and get me to this point. My lack of experience presents two questions. How do I get the experience, and how do I get enough experience where two PTs will write a "letter of recommendation" for me?

Since I have a couple degrees, I've been trying to get a job in the area as a Physical Therapy Aide. From what I understand these positions are in demand. In my area we have a couple hospitals. Health profession jobs is actually pretty good in this area. My resume's go without response however. The next idea would be to just volunteer. I really do need to find a way to get paid for my time though if I can. Even if it isn't much. I don't have alot of extra time or resources. This is what concerns me. I'm still in a position where I need to work to get through school. Put on top of that family obligations which take time. I feel like I'm getting pulled in thirteen different directions right now.

Here might be a better option for me. One that I've been considering but could be a slap in the face regarding how much time I've put into going for DPT. It may not be possible due to my accumulated dept of around 50k... The college I'm taking these classes at also has an accredited PTA program. I already have the prereqs for this program completed. It would take me one year to complete the program with paying an extra $7000. I figure this scenario... work as a PTA, gain experience, pay off some dept, and then apply to a DPT program at another time.

While going to school for DPT I could work as a PTA. I figure this could also increase my chances of getting into a DPT program. I shouldn't have any problem with attaining "letters of recommendation" if I've been working in the field. I do understand that PT credits would not transfer, and I would have to take them over again but possibly the benefits exceed the costs. Of course there's no gaurantee that I would get into the PTA program in the first place because it is very competitive (around 80-90
applicants with only 17 seats.) I've also heard rumors that if you are a PTA, and with indivdiuals as far as I am with my schooling, that possibly a work provider my pay for my education at a DPT program or at least assist with tuition costs. Does this occur and if so what stipulations does a company require if they do reimburse one's schooling.

Here are my current stats

Cum GPA 3.62
Nutrition major GPA 3.87
GREs (not currently taken. Looking to take this summer after studying for a couple months)
Work experience - Part-time employee with the community college as "Science Tutor"

It seems to me that as individuals have a great need for physical therapy help, I should be able to obtain a paid position, gain the needed experience, as well as recommendation letters. What specialty area of PT would have the most demand for PT help from an individual that has no certification as PT or PTA? I feel that I can help out and I want to help out. Too much of my time has been spent in a restaurant setting. I want to contribute and make a difference in peoples lives. Any help is appreciated.

Mike

Hey Mike,
If you're planning on applying for DPT 2010, I would say to go with the first option (and not be a PTA) unless finances are the number one reason for holding you back. If finances are the number one reason for you and you don't want to be in any more debt than you already are (remember, you will most likely be in more debt after PT school, but it will all add up to the same at the end), maybe option two would be better. Also note though, I'm pretty sure (and someone can point it out if I'm wrong) that the pay between being an aide and an assistant is not that big of the difference. So you might be screwing yourself over for taking and paying for classes that you don't need to take before PT school.

But if you are applying for '10 and can't seem to find an aide job, definitely, definitely volunteer. Volunteer at a hospital, outpatient, whatever. Volunteering can lead to a job and shows that you've been exposed to PT, and volunteering is not as time consuming as a job, so you could do a nutrition/business job for pay while volunteering (remember, almost any work equates to experience; a nutrition job maybe be better though because it is part of the health profession). If you find an aide job though, that's great. But be consistent, because consistency always shows dedication, and dedication (whether or not it's volunteer) will get you a good recommendation. And keep in touch with a nutrition and business professor who knows you well and made a big impact on you. Ask them before the end of the year if you could have recs from them.

Make sure you know the requirements for the particular schools. Some schools require 100 (always do more than the minimum), some schools only care is that you have exposure to different PT settings, so call some PT places up (ie. acute care, pediatrics, hospital, outpatient), and some schools don't require any hours at all. Some require 1 PT rec, and others require more. So plan accordingly to the schools you want.

For your reqs, make sure they get done and that your grades are good. From your stats and such (from what I see at least), you should be fine academically. And study hard for the GRE's, but I don't think you need to spend money on classes unless standardized testing is totally and utterly not your thing.

For extra-currics, try to find something in addition to tutoring; volunteer places and/or join organizations.

As long as you keep on top of things, you should be golden for applying.
Best of luck, and let me know if you need anything.

 

[lee9786]

Well unfortunately my nutrition degree seems to have little value right now besides having the required BS degree required for entrance into PT programs. Reason being I don't have the "Dietitian" credential and I can't call myself a "Nutritionist." To do this I would have to invest at least ~1 year for an internship for the RD credential or 2 years for a masters degree in nutrition. This of course costs more money. At least anther 15k for the internship. More money for the masters. I would then have to pass the test. I basically just looked at my cost to benefit and decided it wasn't worth it. I need to be able to pay back my loans and take care of my family.

It's unfortunate that so much money and time needs to go into these things. I know information right now that can be very helpful to say diabetic or renal patients but I can't use it. It's really a shame. The health system should have a test available for nutrition graduates that can be obtained by individuals that have a sole bachelor's degree to test competency. If they did I would become certified as say a diabetic educator so I can utilize the knowledge I have and start helping people. I do plan on utilizing my nutrition knowledge, but it will have to be in an entrepreneurial sense later in life.

From what I understand PTA's mean income is around $17 and PT aide is around $10 depending where the location is. If I could get a PT aide job right now it would be ideal. I just haven't got any response back. Maybe I'm not looking in the right areas or approaching it right. Maybe I should just volunteer and try to make work ties that way. Hopefully that will turn into a job.

Marathoner are you looking to apply to PT programs as well or are already further along in the process? Thanks for the responses.

 

[marathoner04]

Heya,
I'm sorry your degrees aren't so useful--I'm a bio major, which is a fairly useless major as a BA. If you are stretched for money though, I would look for any entry-level health profession job. I wish you the best of luck finding a job, particularly an aide job! If you don't have any luck though, definitely volunteer. And start soon because volunteer applications (at hospitals) are somewhat of a lengthy process, and some don't accept volunteers depending on what part of the year it is. As for the responses, get your resume and CV checked out; make sure your info brings you out in the best light.
I'm done with applications and such and got into all the schools I applied to, so let me know if you have any questions about apps and such (or whatever haha).