Change it up, or stay and hate it? Physical Therapist

So I have been throwing around the idea of physical therapy for a while now and feel that I need to make the change sooner than later if I am going to do it (Already 30 years old).

I have really been struggling with staying in the IT career field because of the long hours of sedentary work. I am almost literally the opposite personality type of IT and feel that this career field is just not for me. I love sports, being active, meeting different people, helping others etc…I feel that being a PT might meet all of the things I enjoy.

I know that I will end up needing a Doctorate for the program, and I will most likely rack up some school debt, but as long as I can continue to work full or part time that should not be an issue as I have no debt at this time.

I know we have a very diverse group of people on this forum so I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with being a physical therapist or something associated with it and what their experiences were.

Any input will help.

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scaredoftests

If you feel that strongly about it, change it up.

NetworkNewb

You only live life once, take chances and do what you enjoy!

My sister is a Physical Therapist, she just has her Masters and not a Doctorate. Maybe some places require a doctorate though, I have zero clue

5502george

@Scaredoftests
I do, I am really at the point where I need to make a change in my life.

@Netnewb
I know, that's why I am really considering it. Do I stay for the money in IT or change in search of job satisfaction...I think I will choose the later.

Any chance you might be able to share you sisters email so I can ask her some questions about the field? I do not know a single person in PT, which makes the decision that much harder to make.

Danielm7

NetworkNewb wrote: »

You only live life once, take chances and do what you enjoy!

My sister is a Physical Therapist, she just has her Masters and not a Doctorate. Maybe some places require a doctorate though, I have zero clue

It changed a few years ago, the people who were already practicing were grandfathered in and don't need a doctorate. I believe they used to require a BS, strange to jump over the MS requirement.

But, if you want to go PT, go PT, it's a great field from the people I've talked to, lots of opportunity and job growth. I don't know what your current educational background is like, have you considered a PTA too?

Hammer80

I actually looked into this myself before and here is what I found. Yes Masters used to be what was required now you need a Doctorate everywhere, folks with a Masters have been grandfathered in sort of like Pharmacist when they switched over to PharmD.

You will have to do some shadowing and volunteer work and make sure to have it documented as it will be required as part of the entry into the program.

Last thing DEBT, don't kid yourself you will have a mountain of debt. PT's on average make about 75k a year in US, your student loans for a PT program will be to the tune of 100k.

If you need more info I highly recommend going to Student Doctor Network and scroll down to the PT section and they will have two sub-forums one for Pre-PT and the other one for the folks that are now doing the PT program.

Whatever you choose Good Luck!

Bchen2

5502george wrote: »

So I have been throwing around the idea of physical therapy for a while now and feel that I need to make the change sooner than later if I am going to do it (Already 30 years old).

I have really been struggling with staying in the IT career field because of the long hours of sedentary work. I am almost literally the opposite personality type of IT and feel that this career field is just not for me. I love sports, being active, meeting different people, helping others etc…I feel that being a PT might meet all of the things I enjoy.

I know that I will end up needing a Doctorate for the program, and I will most likely rack up some school debt, but as long as I can continue to work full or part time that should not be an issue as I have no debt at this time.

I know we have a very diverse group of people on this forum so I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with being a physical therapist or something associated with it and what their experiences were.

Any input will help.

Then get an IT job that requires less hours on the job
I really do not get why people consider quitting IT when sometimes its the company/job not the specific career but follow your dreams
If you want to be a physical therapist

5502george

@Danielm7
I have heard that people really enjoy the career field as well. I have went though rehab for knee injuries and it seems like an awesome career for my personality

@Hammer
I understand the debt thing and having to complete the DPT. It would be a huge undertaking, but I would not mind if I could continue to work while attending. All in all I can live with the debt if I find something I really love to do. Thanks for the info!

@Bchen
I hear what you are saying, but IT has never been something I am interested in. I was kinda "put" here by the mil and stuck with it because it pays well. I am still trying to figure out what I want to do when I "grow up" hahaha

UnixGuy

Hey George, feel free to PM me!

I was going to do the same (Actually I withdrew from a PT course couple of weeks ago...)

I'm in the same position and age as you are...and I feel that I've reached a conclusion...we can talk!

Physical therapy or PT..it's will still be a job with crazy hours, you will be physically active during work but knackered after work - there is a trade off. I spend ALL my time after work doing physical activities and socialising. I can tell you more if you want.

srabiee

A doctorate as a requirement for a physical therapist? I've never heard of such a thing.

Not saying you're wrong, just....wow. My wife had a "wtf" reaction as well.

At any rate, I wish you the best of luck in whatever you ultimately decide.

Danielm7

srabiee wrote: »

A doctorate as a requirement for a physical therapist? I've never heard of such a thing.

Not saying you're wrong, just....wow. My wife had a "wtf" reaction as well.

It's a requirement for NEW physical therapists, not people who are already practicing, they are grandfathered in.

Source: My wife is in school for the same thing.

5502george

srabiee wrote: »

A doctorate as a requirement for a physical therapist? I've never heard of such a thing.

Not saying you're wrong, just....wow. My wife had a "wtf" reaction as well.

At any rate, I wish you the best of luck in whatever you ultimately decide.

Yes, but you can qualify with just a BS. Its a three year doctorate.

the_Grinch

Also, what type of pre-reqs are you looking at? I've thought about jumping, but every time when you looked at what I would have to do to change careers the math just never added up. Also, it doesn't help that I already have student loans so the option of working less then full time is not there.

JoJoCal19

I say if you're in a position to make a move to what you really want to do, then do it.

5502george

the_Grinch wrote: »

Also, what type of pre-reqs are you looking at? I've thought about jumping, but every time when you looked at what I would have to do to change careers the math just never added up. Also, it doesn't help that I already have student loans so the option of working less then full time is not there.

I still would need 2 chem classes, 1 physics class, 2 anotomny classes and a nutrition class.

So I am looking at one year pre reqs. I can knock them out during night school while working full time though.

All pre-reqs are as follows:
-Exercise physiology 3 credits (1 classes)
-chemistry 8 credits (2 classes)
-Physics with lab 8 credits (2 classes)
-anat & physiology 8 credits (2 classes)
-statistics 3 credits (1 classes)
-nutrition 3 credits (1 classes)
-psychology 6 credits (2 classes)

....of course they vary from school to school, but this is what the school I was looking at required.

...All in all I don't look at it as an issue because it is something I will be doing for the rest of my life, so the sacrifice is worth the effort in my opinion.

5502george

@Jo Jo
Well, I have two kids and a wife...So its not ideal, I am still seeking some PT's guidance out there to make a final decision. This will be a decision that my family will have to make as well, so I am not taking it lightly. But I feel that if I am doing a job I thoroughly enjoy I will be a better person for my family and self.

anoeljr

I think your last post sums it up then. I think you should do it. Good luck buddy!

psheehan5

@5502george, there are many people in IT that enjoy the same things you mentioned sports, being active, meeting different people, helping others etc… Here are some things to think about: Do you really dislike IT or the current working conditions? Have you tried to expand your involvement in the IT world? Meaning, if you like to be around people, what about teaching IT? If you like to be out and about and meeting different people what about IT business development/sales? As far as helping others, there are countless opportunities to volunteer your time to help people. You could volunteer at a senior center teaching the elderly to use their smart phones and computers. Physical therapy is a valued profession for sure, and is one of the two fastest growing job markets (health care and IT). But again, I would ask myself, what is my true motivation? Or you can just say "pound sand psheehan5".

Danielm7

5502george wrote: »

@Jo Jo
Well, I have two kids and a wife...So its not ideal, I am still seeking some PT's guidance out there to make a final decision. This will be a decision that my family will have to make as well, so I am not taking it lightly. But I feel that if I am doing a job I thoroughly enjoy I will be a better person for my family and self.

Call local hospitals and PT offices and ask to shadow people, you'll need to do it as a student anyway. At least you'll get real ideas of how the jobs work.

5502george

psheehan5 wrote: »

@5502george, there are many people in IT that enjoy the same things you mentioned sports, being active, meeting different people, helping others etc… Here are some things to think about: Do you really dislike IT or the current working conditions? Have you tried to expand your involvement in the IT world? Meaning, if you like to be around people, what about teaching IT? If you like to be out and about and meeting different people what about IT business development/sales? As far as helping others, there are countless opportunities to volunteer your time to help people. You could volunteer at a senior center teaching the elderly to use their smart phones and computers. Physical therapy is a valued profession for sure, and is one of the two fastest growing job markets (health care and IT). But again, I would ask myself, what is my true motivation? Or you can just say "pound sand psheehan5".

Interesting perspective. I will take this advice into consideration. Thanks for your input.

NetworkNewb

Danielm7 wrote: »

Call local hospitals and PT offices and ask to shadow people, you'll need to do it as a student anyway. At least you'll get real ideas of how the jobs work.

Does that ever work for anyone? Wouldn't that be the same as me calling up a random Network Engineer and asking him if I could watch him do his job for a few days?

Hammer80

srabiee wrote: »

A doctorate as a requirement for a physical therapist? I've never heard of such a thing.

Not saying you're wrong, just....wow. My wife had a "wtf" reaction as well.

At any rate, I wish you the best of luck in whatever you ultimately decide.

Not sure if you ever had to use a Physical Therapist, but I can tell you this there is a reason it requires a doctorate now. These people are experts in how your body moves, why certain movement don't work, and finding a the reason for why something is not working. In order to do that you have to absolute mastery how muscles, bones, nerves, ligaments, tendons function together and independently. You also have to understand how various nutrition and various chemicals in the body affect each of those systems. They also are taught a great deal about the psychology of people overcoming injuries or disabilities a lot more than your average sports doctor. A sports doctor wants to automatically fix the problem, a physical therapist tries to fix the problem and find the reason behind how you got injured in the first place and how to prevent such injury again without quitting what you are already doing.

Danielm7

NetworkNewb wrote: »

Does that ever work for anyone? Wouldn't that be the same as me calling up a random Network Engineer and asking him if I could watch him do his job for a few days?

It's a field that requires observation time for students as part of their schooling. Before my wife even got into her program she was required to do 20+ hours of observation. She called all the local places and told them she's a student or was going to be a student and asked about shadowing. Network engineers don't require this, so it's not such a common request.

NetworkNewb

Danielm7 wrote: »

It's a field that requires observation time for students as part of their schooling. Before my wife even got into her program she was required to do 20+ hours of observation. She called all the local places and told them she's a student or was going to be a student and asked about shadowing. Network engineers don't require this, so it's not such a common request.

Gotcha, I think a company would probably frown on a network engineer if he brought in a random person to watch him do his job too... Probably a tiny bit more of a security issue.

JoJoCal19

5502george wrote: »

@Jo Jo
Well, I have two kids and a wife...So its not ideal, I am still seeking some PT's guidance out there to make a final decision. This will be a decision that my family will have to make as well, so I am not taking it lightly. But I feel that if I am doing a job I thoroughly enjoy I will be a better person for my family and self.

Ah ok. Well then I TOTALLY understand that. I have a wife and three kids so my dream of working in real estate had to be shut down, for now anyways.