take prereqs w/o shadowing?

[effloresco]

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should I study for the GRE and take prerequisite classes w/o shadowing a physical therapist first? b/c i've been trying to shadow a PT and emailed and called at least 20 ppl, i've got a few replies back but most of them have a waiting list :|


this maybe irrelevant but im 23 years, just graduated w/ a Business Admin degree in December but really had no interest in Business but did it b/c i thought it was practical etc..i have an INFJ personality type, I've written a list of what i want in a career/job, i volunteered a lot but not in an hospital setting or w/ patients, and at the moment I'm unemployed and volunteering at the Department of Labor to boost up my resume' and to keep moving forward

so basically im going nuts!!!! i want to know if PT is the right career for me or not cuz this will be my 2nd degree im going for, I want to move forward ASAP b/c sitting home like a bum is driving me insane

Thanks! i'd like to hear some opinions pls

 

[puppypaws]

I'm also an INFJ 🙂

I would definitly shadow first, because if you don't like PT, then starting to take the prerequisite classes would be a waste of time. I've had a lot of trouble deciding on a career too, and shadowing definitely helps.
Where have you e-mailed/called? hospitals are usually much harder to volunteer in, most of the ones I've contacted don't allow any shadowing. There are many PT's who have their own private clinics and they are usually helpful and allow people to shadow. Find one close by and take a drive over there or call them. If you've already tried that, there are also PTs that work in nursing homes, so you can contact the ones close by and ask if you can shadow a PT there. I've only contacted a couple of nursing homes before, but the ones I've contacted were willing to let me shadow.

 

[hefe]

If you start taking your pre-reqs and are sure you want a health career those basic ones should leverage to other health programs as well. Just try to get good grades in 'em.

 

[fisher29er]

If you don't mind me asking....what area do you live in that you can't get any shadowing?

 

[markelmarcel]

I was really lucky when I did my shadowing- a family friend is a PT and so I shadowed her when I thought I wanted to apply to a PTA program... she was the one that pushed me to go DPT and then I had to do more shadowing... I did mine in the summer, so there weren't any "waiting lists" for the places I tried, but I do know that when school is in session a lot of places require you to give a resume, hours of availiablity, etc- almost like a job interview to shadow.

Since I did mine in the summer, they weren't busy and I had no problems coming in. So, it could happen that the majority of the places the OP is checking into work like this.

I'm sure if you are persistant you will get in and then hopefully that person/people will have some connections of where else you can go!

 

[Quenchaid]

should I study for the GRE and take prerequisite classes w/o shadowing a physical therapist first? b/c i've been trying to shadow a PT and emailed and called at least 20 ppl, i've got a few replies back but most of them have a waiting list :|


this maybe irrelevant but im 23 years, just graduated w/ a Business Admin degree in December but really had no interest in Business but did it b/c i thought it was practical etc..i have an INFJ personality type, I've written a list of what i want in a career/job, i volunteered a lot but not in an hospital setting or w/ patients, and at the moment I'm unemployed and volunteering at the Department of Labor to boost up my resume' and to keep moving forward

so basically im going nuts!!!! i want to know if PT is the right career for me or not cuz this will be my 2nd degree im going for, I want to move forward ASAP b/c sitting home like a bum is driving me insane

Thanks! i'd like to hear some opinions pls

I feel like the sorting hat at Hogwarts today...
INFJ hmmm tricky... Hard worker yes yes RAVENCLAW!

Ok enough kidding around INFJ... I'm not too familiar with those personality testing things (JUNG or something I take it) but I'm gonna guess it means introverted n feeling judgemental with means if you love reading you'd make a good lawyer.

You do know PT's work with people right? (just wondering about your introverted personality with.. ok moving on). PT is a fun career if you like working with people, I observed PT's with bubbly personalities (voice impersonations etc.) and PT's with condescending, dreary, no care for the patient's mental state... that didn't seem to like what they do and I'll let you guess which days went by faster for me.

PT is an excellent career job outlook wise and then there is the; I'd like to challenge myself mentally for 3 more years because undergrad was just too much fun-wise.

Anyways back to your Questions:
Is PT the right career for me? No clue, depends on what you want out of a career. Is it better than sitting at home? I think so. The way I see it, if you are unsure what to do due to the overwhelming endless career possibilities you face upon graduation/the recession (I know I was), do something, doesn't matter what, just pick it and do it. No-one at the moment can say whether you made the right or the wrong choice but make 1 and stick the landing, that takes guts, nerves, balls cajones w/e. I guarantee you'll look back and smile whether you succeed or failed that you had the sense to make a smart decision (going back for more punishment *cough* I mean schooling).

Should I take the GRE? Yes it is the door to many graduate programs... many. Also consider the MCAT, LSAT, DAT and the PCAT. These are letters to redemption in the alphabet soup that is post graduate education. Choose wisely young skywalker, but definitely do the GRE if your are unclear what you want to do with your life.

Nothing is irrelevant, the devil is in the details.

Good luck,
Quenchaid

 

[lizzo76]

If you start taking your pre-reqs and are sure you want a health career those basic ones should leverage to other health programs as well. Just try to get good grades in 'em.

I was also going to say this... they would be good for PT, OT, nursing, physician assistant, etc.. I wouldn't delay taking the classes while you're waiting for shadowing.

 

[Shy girl]

effloresco, did you end up going to PT school? I am also and INFJ considering PT school (or any other suitable career) and I would like to hear about what you ended up doing. Thanks!