3 answers
Ella
Student
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1
Question
Asked
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What should I do if I'm part of a collegiate dance program and want to become a professional at ballet?
I'm in my freshman year of college and feel unsure about my career path. I want to be a professional dancer and become a physical therapist later in life. I am currently Physical Therapy Technician Certified (PTTC), and I've been struggling to find a job.
3 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1257
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Ella !
I would like to give some advice about being a professional ballet dancer and your future studies for physical therapy. I would say to continue with exactly what you are doing now. It is too soon to quit what you are doing.
To become a Physical Therapist consider the academic path it will take and how much later in life you'd be able to complete what is required. You will first have to obtain a Bachelors Degree to prepare you for this health related career. Then you would enroll in a Doctor of Physical Therapy program, take and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam, become licensed to practice, you are then a Physical Therapist. Decide if you want to do a residency which would increase your chances for getting paid work. A residency is optional, though. The next step is very important, but optional, and that is getting Board Certified as a Physical Therapist. It is a lot to plan for a future career after you no longer want to dance.
I would advise calling the organization that gave you your PTTC certification or going to their website to ask for employment assistance for jobs with your PTTC. Also register at Linked In, but if you get a job, you may not be able to make a commitment to your dance program. It will be up to you to decide where your passion is stronger, PT or Dance.
Both Dance and PT are rigorous and intensive studies and both may require beginning a career early on after your training. In what way are you struggling to find PT Tech work ? Is it due to lack of experience or substantial resume, lack of enough employers in your town or not knowing where to look ? Try going to all the employment websites that you can to search online for PT Tech jobs and if you do not have a resume, create one and have it ready to send out with cover letters. You would be working in hospitals, nursing homes and clinics so maybe your academic schedule would conflict with the hours you are needed ? Pinpoint exactly what the issue is and ask more questions.
If it was me, I would put the PT aside due to the commitment it will take and since you want to become a professional dancer, that is what you'd have to do for now. You could consider PT, a six or more year commitment, and ask yourself if you'd want to start it at age 30 or 40. That is when most ballet dancers retire, but there are exceptions. It's all going to depend on how your dance career goes and no one can foresee that, you'll have to live it and make decisions along the way. The dance program expects a full commitment from you now and a study for Physical Therapy will demand a lot of your time and focus, so I think you should decide what you really want to do.
In the meantime, apply for Work Study through Financial Aid and obtain a Work Study job at your campus Physical Therapy Department or Dance Department. That will help a lot in gaining experience and making a decision as to what to do. But keep in mind that when you retire from dance, you may want to teach dance and your current thoughts about your future need to evolve naturally as you go along.
You don't have to make a decision right now. It's best to focus on the here and now and it sounds like Dance is at the forefront. I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
I would like to give some advice about being a professional ballet dancer and your future studies for physical therapy. I would say to continue with exactly what you are doing now. It is too soon to quit what you are doing.
To become a Physical Therapist consider the academic path it will take and how much later in life you'd be able to complete what is required. You will first have to obtain a Bachelors Degree to prepare you for this health related career. Then you would enroll in a Doctor of Physical Therapy program, take and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam, become licensed to practice, you are then a Physical Therapist. Decide if you want to do a residency which would increase your chances for getting paid work. A residency is optional, though. The next step is very important, but optional, and that is getting Board Certified as a Physical Therapist. It is a lot to plan for a future career after you no longer want to dance.
I would advise calling the organization that gave you your PTTC certification or going to their website to ask for employment assistance for jobs with your PTTC. Also register at Linked In, but if you get a job, you may not be able to make a commitment to your dance program. It will be up to you to decide where your passion is stronger, PT or Dance.
Both Dance and PT are rigorous and intensive studies and both may require beginning a career early on after your training. In what way are you struggling to find PT Tech work ? Is it due to lack of experience or substantial resume, lack of enough employers in your town or not knowing where to look ? Try going to all the employment websites that you can to search online for PT Tech jobs and if you do not have a resume, create one and have it ready to send out with cover letters. You would be working in hospitals, nursing homes and clinics so maybe your academic schedule would conflict with the hours you are needed ? Pinpoint exactly what the issue is and ask more questions.
If it was me, I would put the PT aside due to the commitment it will take and since you want to become a professional dancer, that is what you'd have to do for now. You could consider PT, a six or more year commitment, and ask yourself if you'd want to start it at age 30 or 40. That is when most ballet dancers retire, but there are exceptions. It's all going to depend on how your dance career goes and no one can foresee that, you'll have to live it and make decisions along the way. The dance program expects a full commitment from you now and a study for Physical Therapy will demand a lot of your time and focus, so I think you should decide what you really want to do.
In the meantime, apply for Work Study through Financial Aid and obtain a Work Study job at your campus Physical Therapy Department or Dance Department. That will help a lot in gaining experience and making a decision as to what to do. But keep in mind that when you retire from dance, you may want to teach dance and your current thoughts about your future need to evolve naturally as you go along.
You don't have to make a decision right now. It's best to focus on the here and now and it sounds like Dance is at the forefront. I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
Aisha Taylor
Mortgage Closing Specialist
403
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Aisha’s Answer
Hello Ella,
It's fantastic that you're so focused on your career goals!
As a member of a college dance program, make the most of the training and resources at your disposal. Think about getting extra ballet training outside of your program to sharpen your abilities. Seek out summer programs or workshops with professional ballet companies to acquire experience and visibility. Networking with professionals in the ballet industry can lead to exciting opportunities and guidance. Regarding your physical therapy career, keep pushing forward with relevant qualifications and practical experience. Think about volunteering or interning at physical therapy clinics to enhance your resume.
Always stay active, committed, and eager to learn as you chase your dreams in both dance and physical therapy.
Wishing you all the best!
It's fantastic that you're so focused on your career goals!
As a member of a college dance program, make the most of the training and resources at your disposal. Think about getting extra ballet training outside of your program to sharpen your abilities. Seek out summer programs or workshops with professional ballet companies to acquire experience and visibility. Networking with professionals in the ballet industry can lead to exciting opportunities and guidance. Regarding your physical therapy career, keep pushing forward with relevant qualifications and practical experience. Think about volunteering or interning at physical therapy clinics to enhance your resume.
Always stay active, committed, and eager to learn as you chase your dreams in both dance and physical therapy.
Wishing you all the best!
Jennifer Porter
Former professional Ballerina, current free lance choreographer, ballet teacher
1
Answer
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hello Ella!
Your serious contemplation of your future is admirable, and considering your options and dreams at this point in your education is key.
I am a retired professional ballerina and I currently teach dancers who are also wrestling with the desire to dance and the need to have alternate career training if unable to make ballet a career.
It’s fantastic that you already are PTTC certified!
Others have listed the steps required to become a physical therapist, I want to address the challenges of becoming a professional ballerina. Attending college while also pursuing your dance education allows you space to really explore your options! A career as a professional ballerina is hard. There is no degree or program that will guarantee employment. Success is based on talent, good training, hard work and unfortunately, luck. Sometimes a beautifully trained dancer who has done all the work just can’t seem to get a job with a dance company. While there will always be a need for freelance dancers for pick up jobs or occasional work, it’s hard to live off sporadic employment. So, unless you were to be hired by a full time performing company, you would need another job. That being said, a dancer has to dance. Practicality is sometimes an afterthought, right?
My advice to you is to take as many ballet/dance classes as you can. Get as much as you can out of each one. Think about taking outside classes from the best ballet school in your area and seek advice from teachers that you respect and admire. Strive for the dance career you want, with the knowledge that there are no guarantees Explore other ways to use dance expertise in other possible careers (definitely Physical therapy!)
Use this time to become the best dancer you can be, knowing that it may be a challenging journey. Dancing is beautiful, expressive, intense and fulfilling and you will always have that, whether or not you are able to make it into a career.
Dance will be a part of anything you do in life.
You have these college years to explore the many ways you can potentially use your love of, and education in, dance to shape and enrich your future!
Keep working, keep dancing!
Find a dance instructor that you respect and trust and request an informal chat about your goals and progress
Talk to your school advisor about the dance/life options and resources available to you at your school
Take as many classes and squeeze as much knowledge as you can from each one
Your serious contemplation of your future is admirable, and considering your options and dreams at this point in your education is key.
I am a retired professional ballerina and I currently teach dancers who are also wrestling with the desire to dance and the need to have alternate career training if unable to make ballet a career.
It’s fantastic that you already are PTTC certified!
Others have listed the steps required to become a physical therapist, I want to address the challenges of becoming a professional ballerina. Attending college while also pursuing your dance education allows you space to really explore your options! A career as a professional ballerina is hard. There is no degree or program that will guarantee employment. Success is based on talent, good training, hard work and unfortunately, luck. Sometimes a beautifully trained dancer who has done all the work just can’t seem to get a job with a dance company. While there will always be a need for freelance dancers for pick up jobs or occasional work, it’s hard to live off sporadic employment. So, unless you were to be hired by a full time performing company, you would need another job. That being said, a dancer has to dance. Practicality is sometimes an afterthought, right?
My advice to you is to take as many ballet/dance classes as you can. Get as much as you can out of each one. Think about taking outside classes from the best ballet school in your area and seek advice from teachers that you respect and admire. Strive for the dance career you want, with the knowledge that there are no guarantees Explore other ways to use dance expertise in other possible careers (definitely Physical therapy!)
Use this time to become the best dancer you can be, knowing that it may be a challenging journey. Dancing is beautiful, expressive, intense and fulfilling and you will always have that, whether or not you are able to make it into a career.
Dance will be a part of anything you do in life.
You have these college years to explore the many ways you can potentially use your love of, and education in, dance to shape and enrich your future!
Keep working, keep dancing!
Jennifer recommends the following next steps:
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