How do you pay your bills?!

[izzybh]

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Hello all!

I'm sure that a lot of my questions have been answered before but I was wondering if you all could help me out.

I recently decided that I want to pursue Physical Therapy school. I graduated from University of Georgia in August of 2014 with a degree in Sociology. I was actually an exercise and sport science major for a large portion of my college career so I do have some of the pre-reqs done as well as some athletic training observation hours.

I am currently working full time but need to take Physics I&II, Chem II, and Bio. None of the classes around would allow me to continue working my 9-5 job as well as even taking just one class.

Do you have any advice as to what to do to be able to afford to pay my bills while taking my pre-reqs? Which by the way I have decided to take at a local CC.

Any advice would be appreciated!!

 

[DjT3kN]

None of your local CC's offer night classes? If anything, I'd try to speak with your employer and see if they can arrange a slightly modified schedule with you. My company was willing to work with me, however, it was a bit stressful at times but anything worth it is never easy. 😀 Good Luck!

 

[izzybh]

I actually checked again and see one that only slightly conflicts with work. But the community college is a good 40 minutes away from my job. I may be able to swing it but then I would only be able to take 1 pre-req per semester.. Not sure if that is as productive as I would like..but it's also better than nothing.

 

[DjT3kN]

I actually checked again and see one that only slightly conflicts with work. But the community college is a good 40 minutes away from my job. I may be able to swing it but then I would only be able to take 1 pre-req per semester.. Not sure if that is as productive as I would like..but it's also better than nothing.

It is better than nothing... in the meantime, I would highly advise to study for the GRE, do community service, or increase your shadowing hours at a hospital or PT facility.

It took me 3.5 years to finish all my prerequisites after my bachelors. However, during that time... I worked a 9-6 job, did shadowing hours on weekends, community service when I can, studied for the GRE, and trained in thai boxing. It wasn't easy but if you really want to become a PT, you'll find a way. Also, it's best that you start now rather than later, even if it's just one class. There are other things you can do to strengthen your application in the meantime.

 

[izzybh]

It is better than nothing... in the meantime, I would highly advise to study for the GRE, do community service, or increase your shadowing hours at a hospital or PT facility.

It took me 3.5 years to finish all my prerequisites after my bachelors. However, during that time... I worked a 9-6 job, did shadowing hours on weekends, community service when I can, studied for the GRE, and trained in thai boxing. It wasn't easy but if you really want to become a PT, you'll find a way. Also, it's best that you start now rather than later, even if it's just one class. There are other things you can do to strengthen your application in the meantime.

You made me feel a bit better. I work a 9-6 job plus a weekend gig. It will require me to go into work at 7 instead of 9 and my day won't end until 10 or 11 but it will be worth it. I wanted to go to PT school through college but had no self confidence and worried that I wasn't smart enough or diligent enough to finish my classes and get in. Now I am ready to commit and do whatever it takes! My uncle is a PTA and Co-Clinical Director at a clinic up in Mass. so I'm hoping to use my vacation days after classes are over to go up there and totally immerse myself for a week or two!

Thanks for your advice. I have to stop trying to rush things.

 

[tweaze]

None of my CC's offered night classes either. I used to work for an insurance company, and while my direct supervisors were willing to work with me to develop an alternate schedule, they couldn't get approval from the folks on high. Might be doable if you don't work for a huge company, or don't work directly with clients, but didn't work out for me. so I ended up quitting and just going back full time. I also needed observation hours, which are usually in the 9-5 time frame.

I now work for a local fast food place that offers a tuition scholarship, (as in, they have paid completely for all of my prerequisites) and health insurance. I go to school/did observation hours in the morning when I was still doing them, and then I work nights/weekends, still close to full time. I end up sleeping weird hours, but it has been manageable, and worth it for the free tuition.

I know some other places offer tuition reimbursement (Starbucks is one), but you have to have pretty low monthly financial obligations. When I knew I would be quitting my previous job, I calculated how much of a cut in pay I would get, and then cut all of my frivolous extra expenses and paid off any extra debt.

In the interest of full disclosure, my husband does have a good job, so I do have a safety net in the case of emergencies. When I was single, I worked my way through college and it was often very dicey financially. This isn't necessarily a route that I think most people would want to go, but it has worked out well.

I wanted to go to PT school through college but had no self confidence and worried that I wasn't smart enough or diligent enough to finish my classes and get in.

I went through this as well. With hard work, good planning, and patience you can get through anything!

 

[izzybh]

None of my CC's offered night classes either. I used to work for an insurance company, and while my direct supervisors were willing to work with me to develop an alternate schedule, they couldn't get approval from the folks on high. Might be doable if you don't work for a huge company, or don't work directly with clients, but didn't work out for me. so I ended up quitting and just going back full time. I also needed observation hours, which are usually in the 9-5 time frame.

I work at a sports registration software company but it's owned by a large fortune 500 company so they have lost a lot of their flexibility. They would look at me like I had two heads if I asked to work part time. I live with my boyfriend and I know that if I picked up a part time or full time job with more flexible hours we would be fine. I'm just scared to take that leap. My job has tuition reimbursement but you have to stay at the job two year atleast after completing the training. I will have to do some more research over the weekend.

 

[tweaze]

I work at a sports registration software company but it's owned by a large fortune 500 company so they have lost a lot of their flexibility. They would look at me like I had two heads if I asked to work part time. I live with my boyfriend and I know that if I picked up a part time or full time job with more flexible hours we would be fine. I'm just scared to take that leap. My job has tuition reimbursement but you have to stay at the job two year atleast after completing the training. I will have to do some more research over the weekend.

It is a big step to take. At first, I would panic every couple of days, and think "What have I done?!" Sounds like you are weighing all of your options, which will definitely be to your benefit. Good luck!

 

[SwampPT]

I agree it is a big step, but darn near every successful person has had to take a risk. The most important thing is to have faith in yourself. If it was easy, everyone would do it🙂

 

[izzybh]

I agree it is a big step, but darn near every successful person has had to take a risk. The most important thing is to have faith in yourself. If it was easy, everyone would do it🙂

This is true! I have to start taking risks or I'll be stuck at a desk job all my life!!!

 

[VitaminPT]

I work at a sports registration software company but it's owned by a large fortune 500 company so they have lost a lot of their flexibility. They would look at me like I had two heads if I asked to work part time. I live with my boyfriend and I know that if I picked up a part time or full time job with more flexible hours we would be fine. I'm just scared to take that leap. My job has tuition reimbursement but you have to stay at the job two year atleast after completing the training. I will have to do some more research over the weekend.

Taking classes while working is tough... the hardest part is just affording them. Don't get discouraged! Take them one at a time and save when possible. I got out of college and took a desk job and quickly realized that was not for me. The last 3 years have been working 40+ hours a week, taking them one at a time and using tuition reimbursement to pay for them.

The best thing (IMO) is map out a timeline of what you can realistically complete while working. You may have more success working 35-40 hours with a modified schedule and see how you can fit that 2 year timeline in there. Find out specifically how long you must stay after the completion of that class and judge from there. I spoke with HR about the 9 month requirement after completion and opted to not take tuition reimbursement for my last class so I can leave my job whenever the class is complete. Sometimes it is just worth biting the bullet and paying out of pocket.

 

[izzybh]

The best thing (IMO) is map out a timeline of what you can realistically complete while working. You may have more success working 35-40 hours with a modified schedule and see how you can fit that 2 year timeline in there. Find out specifically how long you must stay after the completion of that class and judge from there. I spoke with HR about the 9 month requirement after completion and opted to not take tuition reimbursement for my last class so I can leave my job whenever the class is complete. Sometimes it is just worth biting the bullet and paying out of pocket.

I looked up the tuition reimbursement guidelines the other day and the courses have to be relevant to the company aka a business or sports management degree, and if you leave the company a year after you have to pay 100% and for anything up to two years you have to pay 50% back. I am actively looking for a PT Tech job that way I can work and get experience and take a pre-req per semester. I have 4 classes to take so it won't be TOO bad. But regardless of taking classes or not, I CANNOT sit at a desk any more. 🙁