New here, and could use some advice

[vandy2013]

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Hello all! I'm very new to this forum, found it yesterday, and have a couple of questions I'm hoping you all can help me with. I just finished up my sophomore year in college and have a less then sterling GPA right now.

I've been trying to decide OT and PT and am having a really hard time trying to decide what's right for me. I'm a huge sports fan and would love to work with athletes and my original idea was to become an OT and help retired athletes with lingering health problems adjust to life after their playing days are over.

However, I've started looking into PT more and am wondering if maybe that would be a better fit for me. If I go the PT route I would have to start fulfilling almost all of the prerequisites in my last two years and might have to sacrifice one of my majors (Sociology or Medicine, Health, and Society). I really enjoy both of these majors but if need be would be okay with making MHS a minor. I'm wondering if you guys would suggest going into one field over the other?

I would really enjoy working with people which is what drew me to OT initially but it seems as though PT would allow me to work with people while offering better pay and variety. Thank you for any advice you guys can give me!

 

[Yohan]

As you know, the decision is ultimately going to be yours to make. I highly recommend shadowing both PT's and OT's. Try to shadow in a variety of settings and ask lots of questions. This will give you a good idea about the pros and cons of both professions. Also, use the search function on this forum and you will be able to gather a lot of useful/helpful information.

As for my personal opinion... The OT scenario you described seems highly specific which usually means low demand and not much opportunity b/c of competitiveness. I personally would not make a decision (and invest all my time and money) to go into OT for that reason alone. Like I said above, shadowing and talking with practicing professionals is going to give you the best information to make your decision. Best of luck!

Btw... regarding your GPA, you have two more years to bump that up and most schools look more favorably on your last two years anyways.

 

[KinesStudent]

Vandy,

GPA - Start the hard work and finish with an upward trend

PT vs OT - Its summer so go shadow a PT and an OT for 50 hours each and see which one you like better and straight up ask them their thoughts on your situation.

As per your UG major, that's just something you'll have to decide on. Do you need two majors? If your going to be a PT do you need them?

Also - Time to make important decisions is key. I know you probably want to know what to do right away so you can rolling on everything, but I would recommend waiting a week to see how you feel. Then, with the clarity that time often brings you move on with your decision and don't look back.