So you may remember just a few months ago I wrote about starting a new job.
On paper the job sounded great and I was really excited about it. I’d be planning fundraising events for a non-profit, best of all, their events were endurance events (a 75 mile bike ride and a 1.2 mile swim), I even saw one job description that claimed the perfect candidate would be a combination “wedding planner/ beach party host/ triathlete” – it sounded perfect and best of all it was what would allow us to move up to the Cape!
Unfortunately I pretty quickly realized the description should have read “fundraiser/ money asker/ donor schmoozer”- aka NOT ME.
So, I took to the internet and started looking for (another) new job!
If you’ve been reading Live, Run, Grow for awhile now, you may know that I left my full time job in event management in New York to pursue a 5 year plan that would (hopefully!) end with me becoming a Physical Therapist!
The plan required me to take a couple of years worth of science, math and psychology pre-requisite classes and then applying (and hopefully getting in to!) a doctorate of physical therapy program.
My 5 year plan has gotten a bit off track and turned to more of a 7 year plan because of some delays/ distractions/ bumps in the road, but when we moved to the Cape I was still hoping to work towards physical therapy school…
So, I present my new job – Physical Therapy Aide!
A physical therapy aide is a completely entry level job that you don’t need any specific training for (although you learn tons on the job!) and includes a lot of the not so glamorous work around the PT facility and gym like washing and folding towels, wiping down equipment and taking care of the pool, BUT I also get to work directly with patients and spend my days working alongside and observing physical therapists! (Plus there’s a gym, so I’ll be teaching yoga classes there as well soon!)
Basically, a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant puts together an exercise program for a patient and then they may ask an aide to go through the exercises with the patient and then we’ll get them ice or heat to finish up with – in between patients we do all the other “not as glamorous” stuff.
So far I’m really enjoying it – I’m on my feet keeping busy interacting with people all day (MUCH better than sitting in front of a computer all day!) and I’m already learning lots of different land and aquatic exercises (I LOVE aquatic therapy!) and have even begun working through patients exercises with them on my own!
It’s entry level and low paying, but I really do think it’s a great job for me right now and the experience is unbeatable to get me to my ultimate long term goals – a step in the right direction at least!
Have you ever taken a step back to move forward?
How do you keep focused on long-term goals?
**P.S. look for my 5 year plan to be updated soon!**
Live, Run, Grow 
That’s awesome. I’m glad you’re moving forward on your Plan! And I’m guessing this means a shorter commute, possibly one that doesn’t involve going over the bridge? In any case, I’m sure you’ll rock it. 🙂
Haha yes, not going to New Bedford any more! I’m between two offices in Mashpee & Hyannis : )
Good for you! And congrats on the new job. Sounds like you like it way more than the other one already. Patti
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Thanks!
Will we be addressing our unfounded fear of turkeys in the psychology portion of these classes?
Hooray for a new job!! Sure the pay might not be what you hoped, but it sounds like the job role is perfect for you. I will probably be job searching in the next year, but I have no idea what I will look for.
Are you looking to change careers or stay in something similar to what you’re doing now??
Congratulations! It’s wonderful that you were able to recognize the other job wasn’t working for you and find something that’s a better fit.
The next time I’m injured and in pain, all the more reason to go spend some time in Cape Cod! You’re going to be the best thing that ever happened to that place, I know it!
Haha, awww, thanks!
That sounds great! Since I’m currently in PT, I interact with the aides a lot since the physios have other patients to work with too.
I love that you took the plunge to leave a position that wasn’t a good fit and jump into something new. Looking forward to hearing more, and glad Cape Cod is working out so well for you!
Congratulation on the new job! While money is always a factor (how else are you going to afford those runDisney registration fees, right?), having a job you enjoy is SO much more important! I look forward to hearing more about this new adventure of yours!
Haha, yes, I’m pretty sure there will be less races on my calendar this year unfortunately!
I’m sorry to hear that the other job didn’t turn out to be what you expected. It really did sound like it was the perfect fit, so that’s a bummer. However, this sounds great! It definitely sounds like a step in the direction you wanted to go and will help you achieve your goals. VERY EXCITING!!
And yes, I took that same step backwards financially to take those many steps forward this year…no regrets when you do what you love 🙂
Hoping this turns out to be the right decision!
That new job sounds amazing for you! Sucks about the less pay, but you being happy is worth it! Woohoo! Yay! All good things, all good things.
Congratulations, Danielle! As a health care professional, I can say without a doubt that one of the most important things in any health profession is becoming comfortable with the setting, and with being around/dealing with patients. I worked as a nursing assistant in the hospital while I was in nursing school (my second bachelors degree), and the experience was invaluable — there’s so much on-the-job learning that just being able to observe and assist the nurses gave me a real advantage when I started working as an RN; plus, being able to build relationships with patients really validated that I had chosen the right profession, and a very rewarding one at that! I finally accomplished my long-term goal of becoming a nurse practitioner a few years ago, but will always remember and value my experiences as a humble nursing assistant!
Becca, I can’t tell you how much it means to hear that you did something similar and that it worked out and you feel the experience was worth it! I’m really hoping this experience will look good on my application when I apply to PT school since it’s so competitive!
Yes, I think this will be a huge booster for your application — plus you’ll be able to speak about your experiences in interviews, essays, etc etc.! You just have to think of the whole process like marathon training — it’s a long, intimidating process with a huge goal at the end, but you just have to take it one step at a time and not let yourself get freaked out — at the end it will all be worth it!
Congrats on the new job! Definitely sounds like a step in the right direction for what you want to do!
Congrats on the new job! This sounds much more in line with your goals and will probably even be great for your school applications once you get to that point. I’ve definitely taken a step back to move forward. When I switched careers from performing to journalism, I started with an unpaid internship at the age of 28. Yup, most of the other interns were 21-22. I felt SO old and so behind. But I parlayed that in to a staff position, and it was so worth it. It really helped set up my career. Sometimes it’s what you have to do when starting out in a new field. I hope this path makes you happier than the last!
My thoughts exactly, the schools are so competitive I’m really hoping it helps when I apply! So far I’m really enjoying it, I love being on my feet working with people all day!
Congrats!
Money isn’t everything.
Yay yay yay!! I’m somewhat behind in my blog reading / commenting but I wanted to tell you how excited I am for you. It’s so hard to change jobs, let alone change jobs within a move. But this job sounds right up your alley. I love my PT aides when I was going through physical therapy – especially towards the end where I spent most of my time with the aides and could ask them whatever questions I wanted. This will give you such great experience. I really feel like my last move / job change ended up being a huge step back and I’m still looking how to take that step forward.
Thanks Emily! It definitely feels like a step backwards, but at the same time I know that it’ll (hopefully!) help me move forward towards my long term goal!
So I know I’m RIDICULOUSLY late to the party here, but wanted to say congrats on the new job! This sounds awesome, and I know from personal experience that sometimes what we think seems like taking a step back actually ends up moving us forward. Sounds like a fantastic opportunity, and much more in line with your future goals. Best of luck with everything! 🙂