Jimmy Rivera-Physical Therapist by Jimmy Rivera

Undergraduate education: what will you major in?

rivera17_1 — 2024-12-07 03:11:30 UTC

I chose to major in Kinesiology here at Miami University. I am still undecided about minoring in nutrition because I feel like both could be beneficial for me in the future. I chose this major because I love playing sports and I wanted to be able to know how to treat sports-related injuries and get athletes back to 100 percent. As well as if I got hurt I would know how to treat it. I also enjoy working out so it wouldn't really feel like work.

What clubs or organizations can you get involved in on campus?

rivera17_1 — 2024-12-07 03:17:59 UTC

I can do study abroad because that is an option and is offered for kinesiology majors, I also think joining intramurals is a good way to meet people who love playing sports as well and could also be kinesiology majors because of that. I could also join workout programs that are offered by the rec center. There are also programs here at Miami, that allow you to sign up to help out with athletics and be sort of an intern for physical therapy or a trainer here at Miami that allows you to observe and shadow people in that field.

What regional or national organizations dedicated to your field can you join?

rivera17_1 — 2024-12-07 03:26:40 UTC

The American Physical Therapy Association is a national organization that offers help and other resources to enhance your skills and support for physical therapists. It does cost depending on the educational status of your undergraduate or graduate or practicing professional. I could also join any clinic that offers internships for free just to gain experience, or any gym that offers physical therapy and apply there as an intern.

Where can you seek out career counseling, mentoring, research opportunities, etc. on campus?

rivera17_1 — 2024-12-07 03:33:47 UTC

The best way to find mentoring or research opportunities on campus is through your professors themselves. They have connections and answers to questions that you have and if they don't they have no issue finding it for you. As well as your professors and your academic advisor. They have more in-depth answers in the next courses you should take for your major to get you to the career you want and how to use the Miami University website/database to let you know what courses you should take in addition to the courses for your major to further be prepared for the career of your choosing.

Consider internships, job shadowing, observation hours,

rivera17_1 — 2024-12-07 03:40:18 UTC

I feel like the best way to get experience is through internships. Internships allow you to observe and learn. The good part about internships is that there are no negatives to being an intern. Sometimes you get paid and even when you don't you still gain experience, which can be put on resumes that then allow you to get even better jobs. Observation hours and shadowing are also good things to include on your resume if you choose to do so. They all tie in together. I could observe other physical therapists or shadow other kinesiology majors to see what works for them and how to be successful in that major.

Do you need graduate education?

rivera17_1 — 2024-12-07 03:48:04 UTC

For physical therapy, you will need to complete a graduate degree. You do this by first earning your Bachelor's degree in kinesiology. Apply to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Complete the DPT program. Then pass the national physical therapy examination. After passing then you just need experience which includes shadowing, internships, or volunteering.

What is involved in the application process? What entrance exam(s) do you have to take?

rivera17_1 — 2024-12-07 03:52:29 UTC

The application process for physical therapy is submitting transcripts, personal statements from professors, letters of recommendation, and test scores that are separate from your transcripts. Exams you need to take are the DPT program exam and a licensing exam NPTE which is the National Physical Therapy Examination.

What University will you attend?

rivera17_1 — 2024-12-07 03:55:16 UTC

The University I would like to attend is Northwestern University located in Chicago. The reason I want to go here is because I am from Chiacgo and after I graduate I would like to move back home and be close to family. Another reason is that Northwestern is an excellent school and has a great medicine program so attending grad school there would look amazing on my resume and open doors and different opportunities for great jobs.

Will you need to complete a thesis? Residency? Fellowship?

rivera17_1 — 2024-12-07 04:04:11 UTC

Not all but some grad school physical therapy programs require students to complete a thesis while others require them to complete a fellowship or residency. It all depends on the school. This provides clinical training in specific areas like sports medicine this is for the residency aspect. For a fellowship it's more specialized in specifics such as pediatric physical therapy. A thesis is different from both where it could be a project you complete prior or as a part of your graduate program involving research and experience.

Northwestern Continued.

rivera17_1 — 2024-12-07 04:11:23 UTC

For Northwestern specifically to apply for their physical therapy program, it's different. First, you need to meet the prerequisites meaning having a bachelor's degree and prerequisite courses completed. Take and Submit GRE scores with your application. Apply through the physical therapy centralized application service to apply to their physical therapy program. Submit transcripts and recommendation letters and personal statements. Then write a personal statement to them which includes why you want to become a physical therapist and why you want to be at Northwestern. Then if all of that gets approved you then get a shot at an interview which if that goes well, you are then enrolled.

Do you need certifications, licenses, etc.? How do you obtain those?

rivera17_1 — 2024-12-07 04:21:02 UTC

After completing the DPT program. Then I'll have to pass the NPTE exam which is required for all physical therapists. Once I pass the NPTE exam I have to get a license in the place I want to work as in the state I want to work in. Each state has its own and different requirements for licensing it varies which each state. This could include extra exams depending on the state. Then additional licenses for specialized or specific or practice in a specific area like pediatrics I'd have to go to a national organization like the one mentioned earlier to apply and take the exam for those specialized and particular areas.

Does your dream job require experience? What kind of entry level jobs might you have to do first to gain that experience?

rivera17_1 — 2024-12-07 04:27:39 UTC

I'd say for physical therapy experience is required, like internships or shadowing and observing are required to get into good jobs or even grad schools. Also beneficial in more ways than one because they could be paid opportunities and look good on your overall resume. Some good entry-level jobs for physical therapy could be an assistant to a physical therapist in a clinic to just observe or like a technician. Also, a good entry-level job that's indirect to being a physical therapist could be an athletic trainer because it provides athletic training and service to athletes. That ties into physical therapy like injury prevention and rehabilitation.