<p>I know what you're all thinking - how on earth do I have two prominent interests that are so extremely different? I'm asking myself the same question.</p>
<p>Since being a little girl I never did much but write stories and dream of being an author. Now that I have grown up and understand what's practical, I understand that it probably isn't sensible to be a writing major. But that journalism/writing dream never really died as I am coming to realize now. </p>
<p>HOWEVER, I have been pretty set for the past year or two on going into physical therapy school. I've heard lots about job security, good money, and helping people (which I love), but I'm just not sure if my heart is truly in it or I'm just thinking practically.</p>
<p>I have aspirations to travel, learn new languages, live in New York, write and tell stories, and the thought of four years of college as opposed to six (and more if I opt to go further, unlike PT in which 6-7 years is a requirement) which may end up being overall less expensive appeals to me greatly. I've thought about double majoring in journalism and English, or sociology or public relations, something of the like. Plus I am NOT a math person and the only science I really enjoyed was anatomy. True, anatomy is crucial to the field of physical therapy, but I'm not sure college calculus and biochemistry and all those sciences are really something I want.</p>
<p>So any words of advice on these polar opposites would be greatly appreciated! I know I'm running out of time as I'm going into my senior year, but the vastly different options and amazing opportunities that may arise are making me seriously think twice about my health care career plans and going for what I think has always truly been my dream. Now I'm just not so sure!</p>
<p>Like you, I always loved writing and considered starting college as a journalism major. Practicality won over and I started college as a marketing major. After my first three semester I realized I hated all the math classes I was taking. I started looking into the curriculum and what classes I’d have to take in the future (I should have done this much sooner) and realized I didn’t want to take any of them. I decided to change my major and was considering either journalism and environmental science. Obviously, like PT, environmental science would have been the safer route but I’d need to take O Chem, calculus, etc. Basically more rigorous math courses and I was never good at chemistry, but I loved biology and environmental classes. I ended up choosing journalism, and I promise that you can and will find a job as a journalism major! I did. It’s all about the work you do in school and the connections you make. As for your decision, I’d take a look at the course catalogs and see which major fits you better. Plus, you can always change your major like I did! I had many friends that started as PT majors freshman year and by the time sophomore year rolled around they ended up switching just because they couldn’t hack the course load. All of them still ended up graduating on time! </p>
<p>PT is a graduate program. You can choose any undergrad major–much like pre-med–and take the required PT requirements. My DD wants to be a physical therapist and her undergrad major will be psychology. This will also give you more time to figure things out.</p>
Then test it! Contact some local PT offices and explain that you want to work as a volunteer. Put in a few hours a week after-school (even more this summer) and in a few months (perhaps weeks) you will know if this is the right field for you.</p>
<p>In a way, both sound like romantic pursuits that have tremendous downsides for you personally. Journalism is full of underemployed grads who work for little money and writing for a living is hard work. And you sound like you’re entranced by the money and helping people that PT involves, but really aren’t into the coursework that it takes to get the degree, which is a bad sign.</p>
<p>I’ll suggest something that some will think a horrible idea, but if you go into it for the right reasons, it might just work. Law. Yes, the profession that no one can get a job in - except they can if you’re not aiming for Big Law. It’s a profession where you get to write (a lot) and help people. There are all kinds of lawyers that no one thinks about and aren’t top dollar, but if you’re going in knowing that, you can avoid big expenses along the way. Things like Legal Aid, public defender, legal advocate, family law, immigration, etc. that very much help people with difficult problems every day. If it sounds interesting, pursue the writing thing with a degree in journalism, communications, English, etc. learn to write, perhaps work for a few years, then go on to an affordable law school.</p>
<p>If you aren’t on the phone setting up summer volunteer work in the next few days then I think you’ve discovered how you really feel about being a PT.</p>
<p>Whoops, I forgot to mention that I have experience as a PT volunteer. I liked it, but I just recently began having second thoughts as the application process gets much much closer and on standardized tests my math was much weaker than writing, not to mention writing is a hobby I’ve always had. And I wouldn’t say I am “entranced” by the money - I understand that I need to earn enough to make a living, but I also have thought seriously about journalism with the knowledge that it is not very high-paying. Honestly, if I go into a field I want to do so because I love it, and if I make good money then it is a bonus. I’m just not sure where I fall currently with my own interests. </p>