Milestones

My road in life took a while to figure out.
Getting rejected for first Physical Therapy internship I applied for.
Getting rejected for an Orientation Leader position on campus.
Getting my first job at a healthcare facility.
Getting offered to be a TA for a class on campus and pursuing it.
Becoming the first generation college graduate on my father's side. Go Titans!
Finally accepting to see a therapist for mental health help.
Becoming a student intern at Salinas Physical Therapy / Sports Medicine.
Getting hired as a Physical Therapy Aide at Hills Physical Therapy.
Keep following my journey

Career

Physical Therapy Aide

Under supervision of the PT, I assist patients with their exercise programs while maintaining a proper environment.

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Medicine
Science
Learning / Being Challenged

Day to Day

It can range anywhere from an easygoing setting to a dynamic setting, meaning there could be as much as 20+ patients a day. It could get crowded, so the purpose of having an Aide is to help keep the flow of traffic within the clinic and help ease the flow of appointments. Aides must be able to multitask, as the Physical Therapist will have multiple patients getting treated. It's my job to help clean as well as set up rooms & exercise equipment while maintaining a safe environment for patients.

Skills & Qualities Beyond School

My Kinesiology major has an internship class that I took that benefited me. It required me to create a portfolio by the end of the semester that I can show to employers. It is beneficial to employers that you have excellent communication skills, critical thinking/problem solving skills, that you are dependable, reliable, highly motivated, organized, prompt, and outgoing. These particular skills/qualities and more can help the hiring process for you and make you an eligible candidate!

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for college students

If planning to apply to DPT school, I recommend to definitely focus on not only your major, but on the prerequisite courses you need to take. Make sure to get good grades because the program is competitive. Make sure you get your observation hours (internships) done at different types of clinical settings. Study for the GRE and score well. Working as a PT Aide can definitely help get your foot in the door as well as benefit you with getting acclimated to the clinical environment.

Recommended Education

My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Myself:

"You'll never get into the Physical Therapy program. I can't do it. There are others who are way smarter than me. There are others with more experience than me. I should have an alternative because I'm pretty sure I won't get into the program."

Challenges I Overcame

Mental Health Issues

Q&A

How did you find out what you want to do as a career?

Asked by Noha Hashem at CSUF

She knew since she was in high school because they were good at the sciences and wanted to make a good living.

Interviewed By

Noha Hashem

at CSUF