Entry 4 - My Aspiration: Helping Others Feel Like Their Best Selves

 

The Inspiration

Athletics have been a calling of mine ever since I was a little boy. I've participated in any sport you can think of, whether it was for fun or competition. When you are participating in any type of physical activity, there is always the risk of injuring yourself. I've had my fair share of injuries throughout my athletic career. From a dislocated shoulder to shin splints, I have definitely dealt with some injuries from time to time, and let me tell you, none of them were fun to deal with. I dislike the fact that getting hurt is so common, but at the end of the day, it is inevitable. One day I want to be able to help others who have gotten hurt and help them get back to 100%. This is why I would like to become a physical therapist one day. 

The Career

You will most likely have an encounter with a physical therapist at some point in your lifetime. You will most likely have to visit one if you had just recently had surgery, had some sort or accident, or hurt yourself at work or the gym. Physical therapists help work with patients to create a plan that will help their body recover. These plans can include workout routines, stretches, muscles massages, etc. You get the point. Not only do they help with the physical aspect of recovery, but the mental aspect as well. They can refer you to rehabilitation, education, and psychological treatment. Physical therapists are here for you to help improve your overall quality of life.

The Pros and Cons

Becoming a physical therapist definitely has its upsides, but just like any other career, there are also negatives that come with it. Lets start with the pros. First off, you'll start to appreciate yourself more when you get that fulfilled feeling when you've helped someone feel better. Knowing that you were the one that person came to for help and you were able to make them feel better can make a lot of positive changes to ones mindset. Next, we have the salary. The average starting pay for a physical therapist is 76 thousand dollars. The median pay for the career as a whole is 98 thousand. Now that is a great salary to have, especially if you manage your money correctly. Now lets get into the cons of this career. For starters, you have to go through a decent amount of schooling, as well as obtain different certificates depending on which specific job you want. Secondly, you may encounter patients who you are not fond of, and that is a big challenge to face.

Closing

Physical therapy is a career that is growing day by day. One of my biggest goals in life is to be able to help other people, while simultaneously making a good living for myself. I feel that this field of work is perfect for me considering my passion for athletics combined with wanted to see others succeed. With some hard work and dedication, I am sure that I will be able to achieve my dream one day!