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What is the best way to get a look at Physical Therapy before entering the job?

I am about to go into my first year of college. I have done a job shadow day, but it was very brief and only focused on the sports aspects of PT. I am wanting to go into pediatrics but I’d like to get a better idea of what that and PT as a whole looks like before I get too deep into this career.

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Daniel’s Answer

I had an EMT certification and volunteered with the organization, which made getting the job easy for me. If you're interested, start by searching for jobs in your area and applying. Usually, there are no degree or certification requirements, but any volunteer work, shadowing, or medical experience can help you stand out. I worked full-time, 40 hours a week, starting at $15/hour. After 2 months, my pay increased to $17/hour because I took on more responsibilities. While in school, I worked part-time and earned $20/hour. This isn't a long-term career, but it’s a great investment in your future. A coworker of mine, a Rehab Tech, switched to IT instead of pursuing Physical Therapy School. Whether you decide to pursue PT or another field, you'll gain valuable firsthand experience on what PTs do and the pros and cons of the job.
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Janelle’s Answer

The best way to know if PT is a good fit for you is to spend a lot of time shadowing in a variety of settings- if you're interested in pediatrics (great choice!), start there. Clinics are typically very receptive and used to having students shadow as it is a requirement for admission to most PT graduate programs to have 100-300 of shadowing hours. Call or email clinics in your area and ask if they accept pre-PT students for shadowing hours. If you manage to do this, I would get the contact information of the therapist you shadowed and track how many hours you shadow at each clinic. If you decide to apply to PT school, you will need this information. As Daniel said, if you're ably to find a job as a rehab tech (jobs may not be posted at smaller clinics, you are better off emailing or calling to ask), even better! Hope you love it!
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Rebecca’s Answer

Agree with Daniel, it is a great route to take. Also, just talk it up wherever you go! You are bound to come across PT's wherever you are - and ask them questions. Parents of friends, neighbors, any acquaintances you have - use the connections you have to chat with people in the field. You could also talk to college counselors and professors in the health and exercise studies at your school to see what they know and connections they have.
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Daniel’s Answer

Absolutely, I highly recommend looking for a job as a Rehab Tech, even if it's part-time. This is a fantastic way to show your passion for this career path and learn directly from experienced therapists. I worked as a Rehab Tech at Nemours Children's Hospital for about a year before starting PT school, and it was incredibly valuable. Not only did it give me a deep understanding of the field, but it also boosted my qualifications when applying for other positions. Employers value hands-on work experience more than just shadowing. Plus, being a Rehab Tech will cover your shadowing hours and offer even more opportunities to learn. I hope this helps!
Thank you comment icon Thank for the suggestion!! How did you go about becoming a rehab tech? Are there any certifications needed or did you just apply? And if you don’t mind me asking what kind of hours was it? Avril
Thank you comment icon My response was too long so I posted it above. :) Daniel Feliciano
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