7 answers
Jacinta
Student
North Adams, Massachusetts
4
Questions
Asked
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What are some majors many students overlook that can make me a lot of money?
I am a 15-year-old and I was interested in Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, and Therapy. I would like to know if there are any other majors and jobs that I have overlooked or don't know about that will make me successful.
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7 answers
Angela Henning
Physical therapy
2
Answers
Lexington, Kentucky
Updated
Angela’s Answer
Success and job satisfaction are often impacted by more than salary. Impact, relevance, giving back to a profession, giving back to the community, altruism, making an impact on society, work-life balance, being a valued team member of an interprofessional team can all increase job satisfaction and success is measured in many different way and differently by different individuals based on their own intrinsic/extrinsic value system, professional and personal goals, family goals, work ethic, feedback methods, managerial styles, etc. i caution pigeon-hiking yourself at such a young age.
Observe these professions.
Talk to profession leaders and not just those who punch the clock.
Angela recommends the following next steps:
Jessica Lin
UX Researcher
1
Answer
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
I have heard that being a nanny for wealthy families can come with a lot of perks. It can sometimes pay well, but even if not, you'll likely get perks such as luxurious vacations with the family you nanny for and the opportunity to network with others in their circle. You can try researching agencies that match nannies with families.
Beth Burgess PT, MS, GCS
Physical Therapist
56
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Beth’s Answer
The rehabilitation therapy fields and athletic training are very rewarding and fulfilling. You will make a very comfortable living but you will not make millions.
For Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy you will have to go to school at least 6 years to get a post graduate degree. Athletic training is moving toward a masters degree also but still has some bachelors programs. The nice thing is that once you have your degree, you can find a job easily and many employers have student loan forgiveness programs.
With these degrees you are mostly working directly with injured people. However, you can be a sales rep selling therapy tools, a business owner owning the clinic, a researcher working for a university or other non clinical options.
Nursing is another medical field to consider. They only need 4 years of school, but have options for more. Nurses work in clinics and hospitals but also for insurance agencies, administration supervision, schools, sales, and more.
If your goal is to make a lot of money, healthcare is not the way to go, you want business or finance. But, if you want a rewarding career making a difference in people’s lives and make a comfortable living, healthcare always needs more people!
Keep your grades up, therapy is very competitive.
Shadow a physical therapist, an athletic trainer to see if you like it.
Go to APTA.org for more career info
Consider your goal - money vs making a difference
For Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy you will have to go to school at least 6 years to get a post graduate degree. Athletic training is moving toward a masters degree also but still has some bachelors programs. The nice thing is that once you have your degree, you can find a job easily and many employers have student loan forgiveness programs.
With these degrees you are mostly working directly with injured people. However, you can be a sales rep selling therapy tools, a business owner owning the clinic, a researcher working for a university or other non clinical options.
Nursing is another medical field to consider. They only need 4 years of school, but have options for more. Nurses work in clinics and hospitals but also for insurance agencies, administration supervision, schools, sales, and more.
If your goal is to make a lot of money, healthcare is not the way to go, you want business or finance. But, if you want a rewarding career making a difference in people’s lives and make a comfortable living, healthcare always needs more people!
Beth recommends the following next steps:
Michelle Leaverton
Project Management
4
Answers
Urbandale, Iowa
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi Jacinta,
A great way to set yourself up for success is to pair a business degree with whatever you are interested in. We all want to do something we love, but we also need money to live. You'll want to consider both what you are passionate about or interested in, and also what businesses or communities need (in other words, what skills or jobs are people willing to pay for? where can I add value?).
I would encourage you to study what will give you the most options, like, business, communications (writing, speaking), technology, project management. These skills will apply to any profession you choose.
Trying to choose ONE path out of the zillions of options out there when you're 15 is really hard, if not impossible (I sure couldn't decide when I was 15!) As you grow into adulthood and have more experiences, you will likely find new things you love and directions you didn't even know existed. Giving yourself a broad, solid foundation allows you to be flexible and open to the right opportunity when it comes along.
If you really love Physical Therapy and Athletic Training - go for it! Search for opportunities to shadow therapists to see what their days are like. Take internships, and find out what it takes to be successful in the field.
Work hard, try new things, always be willing to learn and grow, and the details will fill in as you go.
Hope this helps! Good luck to you!
A great way to set yourself up for success is to pair a business degree with whatever you are interested in. We all want to do something we love, but we also need money to live. You'll want to consider both what you are passionate about or interested in, and also what businesses or communities need (in other words, what skills or jobs are people willing to pay for? where can I add value?).
I would encourage you to study what will give you the most options, like, business, communications (writing, speaking), technology, project management. These skills will apply to any profession you choose.
Trying to choose ONE path out of the zillions of options out there when you're 15 is really hard, if not impossible (I sure couldn't decide when I was 15!) As you grow into adulthood and have more experiences, you will likely find new things you love and directions you didn't even know existed. Giving yourself a broad, solid foundation allows you to be flexible and open to the right opportunity when it comes along.
If you really love Physical Therapy and Athletic Training - go for it! Search for opportunities to shadow therapists to see what their days are like. Take internships, and find out what it takes to be successful in the field.
Work hard, try new things, always be willing to learn and grow, and the details will fill in as you go.
Hope this helps! Good luck to you!
Ashley East
Registered Nurse
6
Answers
Bowie, Maryland
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
My advice would be to find a happy medium between something you are passionate about and a career that pays well. Going after something just for the money may not be satisfying in the long run. See if you can shadow some people in the career fields you are interested in while in high school.
Kyle Koivuneva
Software developer
1
Answer
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Updated
Kyle’s Answer
Software engineering is an expanding field right now that has very high demand, and pays very well. Accounting and business related jobs also can pay very well. Medicine related jobs such as doctors, pharmacists, and others, are also payed well, although they usually require education past a bachelors degree.
That said, how well your job pays depends much more on where you live, and what the demand is for your job. For instance, if you want to enter physical therapy, you probably would want to live in a city, or an area with lots of sports teams. Pay is always going to be relative, if there are a lot of other Physical therapists, then that will reduce the amount of money you can make with Physical therapy.
That said, how well your job pays depends much more on where you live, and what the demand is for your job. For instance, if you want to enter physical therapy, you probably would want to live in a city, or an area with lots of sports teams. Pay is always going to be relative, if there are a lot of other Physical therapists, then that will reduce the amount of money you can make with Physical therapy.
Margie Nguyen
Physical Therapist Assistant
19
Answers
Alexandria, Virginia
Updated
Margie’s Answer
Hi Jacinta,
I am a physical therapist. Usually unless you are a director/managerial position you won't make a lot in healthcare. If you are looking to make a lot of money I recommend getting into the tech industry.
Many physical therapists I know make an average of $60-65K coming out of school (average $92-95K). They are drowning in student loan debt (average DPT is $120K).
For me I did the PTA route that cost ~$20K most worked and/or saved up an paid in full but I pulled a loan. Average salary is $60K (I make over $70K as a home health PTA).
I challenge you to define what 'success' is. When I was young I thought was driving the most expensive cars, wearing brand name clothes and making a lot of money. As I am growing and getting older, I define success differently. Everyone defines success differently. And your thought process will as you evolve and grow.
I am a physical therapist. Usually unless you are a director/managerial position you won't make a lot in healthcare. If you are looking to make a lot of money I recommend getting into the tech industry.
Many physical therapists I know make an average of $60-65K coming out of school (average $92-95K). They are drowning in student loan debt (average DPT is $120K).
For me I did the PTA route that cost ~$20K most worked and/or saved up an paid in full but I pulled a loan. Average salary is $60K (I make over $70K as a home health PTA).
I challenge you to define what 'success' is. When I was young I thought was driving the most expensive cars, wearing brand name clothes and making a lot of money. As I am growing and getting older, I define success differently. Everyone defines success differently. And your thought process will as you evolve and grow.