In honor of PT month, why Physical Therapy is a Great Career

A student interested in Physical Therapy was interviewing me about my career. She asked me: if I were an undergrad, would I select this field why or why not? Where do I see the market in 10 years? What advice do I have for someone studying in my field?

Thought provoking questions. The first thing I can tell you and I tell all my families. "I LOVE WHAT I DO!" I feel like I make an impact on the child's life. I teach families how to work their child to help him or her achieve milestones such as sitting, crawling, standing, and walking. It is super exciting to see the child achieve a skill you have worked on for so long.

1.) Job Satisfaction. 
Physical Therapy is ranked among the top careers for job satisfaction.
www.businessinsider.com/the-10-best-fields-for-job-satisfaction-2012-2#8-physical-therapist-3
www.careercast.com/jobs-rated/jobs-rated-2014-ranking-200-jobs-best-worst
money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/physical-therapist-assistant

2.) Job Growth
Jobs for Physical Therapists are expected to grow by 34% by the year 2024 (much faster than average)
www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm
And for Physical Therapy Assistants: job growth by 40% by the year 2014 (much faster than average)
www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistants-and-aides.htm


3.) Ability to change your practice setting without changing your career.
The American Physical Therapy Association offers a variety of special interest groups Acute Care Profile | Website 
Aquatics Profile | Website 
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Profile | Website 
Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management Profile | Website 
Education Profile | Website 
Federal Profile | Website 
Geriatrics Profile | Website 
Hand and Upper Extremity Profile | Website 
Health Policy and Administration Profile | Website 
Home Health Profile | Website 
Neurology Profile | Website 
Oncology Profile | Website 
Orthopaedics Profile | Website 
Pediatrics Profile | Website 
Private Practice Profile | Website 
Research Profile | Website 
Sports Profile | Website 
Women's Health Profile | Website ​

Interested in Physical Therapy as a career? Explore Universities and the APTA, the American Physical Therapy Association. www.apta.org. Reach out to your local Hospital, Outpatient Clinic, Early Intervention Agency to Interview a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant, shadow a Therapist in different settings to really get a feel. 

I feel so blessed and so fortunate to do what I do! 
Thanks for reading!

Stacey