Foundations of Kinesiology (2310)

Research Assignment (40 points)

Topic: Career Analysis
Due: Week 10
12-pt font (replicate the format below)
Purpose: To pursue a clearer vision of career opportunities in Kinesiology. We have studied many
professional careers linked to the discipline of Kinesiology. See your career 10 years from now. Focus
your investigation on a precise career opportunity, and explore the following (If list is required,
numerically list the components; if describe use paragraph form).
You may use this form and just add in your information.

Name of Career: __Physical Therapy__

I.

Your Name: _Maria J. Cruz

___

List the educational requirements necessary (cite your source):

(1 pt)
Undergraduates Degree (from a credible academic program
Graduates Degree (Needs a Doctoral Degree; DPT and takes about three years to
complete)

"Physical Therapist (PT) Education Overview." Physical Therapist (PT) Education Overview. N.p., n.d.
Web. 22 Feb. 2016.

II. List and describe the specific certifications and licensures required (cite source)

(2 pt)

Licensure is managed by the individual state regulatory boards. Licensures are made to protect
the public and will be given to those who keep up and maintain the standards needed to be a good
and safe physical therapist.
The National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), evaluates your access for practicing PT
"Licensure." Licensure. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2016.
To get a specialty within Physical Therapy, the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties
(ABPTS) will give you certification upon an exam
"Specialist Certification." Specialist Certification. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2016.

Career Research Project

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III. Describe (use several paragraphs) a general description of your career

(5 pts)

A Health Profession which has changed its requirements to only permitting students to getting a Doctoral
Degree and nothing less. In order to get to this career one requires schooling and volunteer/internship
hours within the PT or specialty field one want to go into.
The role of physical therapy is to help improve the human body. As physical therapist you help develop
and improve techniques to treat your patients get better at the ability to move, you reduce pain, restore
function, and prevent disabilities or further injuries. Physical Therapist has helped thousands of people
from sports injuries to car accidents. They communicate with their patients establishing a well patient to
doctor relationship as they help improve the lives of many people around the world.

IV. Describe (in paragraph form) the qualifications you possess to meet the requirements of this career:
(2 pts)
A good physical therapist needs to have a genuine personality in order to communicate with its patients
but also set boundaries and have the strength to be in difficult and strange situations, since most of the
time physical therapist are pushing its patients to the extreme and this can be very painful.
I contain good customer service and through practice, I believe I can have the qualifications to become
a great doctor who interacts with its clients and creates trust worthy, professional relationships. Through
practice, I can learn to have a strong heart to keep pushing clients to their limits in order for them to get
better. One important quality I posses in order to be successful within this field is Patience. Being patient
is very important as a physical therapist because it takes lots of time to treat injuries.
Being positive and well rounded are other good qualifications, I believe I posses and in the future will
help me not only find a job but help me be one of the best.

V.

Find a specific Vacancy Announcement and list the requirements the company is advertising
a. Name of Publication the vacancy was listed
(2 pts)
PTJobs.com

b. Name of Employer

(2 pts)

Matt Braun (Saint Alphonsus Rehabilitation Services; STARS)

c. List the qualifications for the candidates

Career Research Project

(2 pts)

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VI.

BS Degree

d. List the application procedure (attach copy of the application)

(2 pts)

Application Procedure requires contacting employer and sending resume for more details.
http://www.ptjobs.com/job/1773951-Physical-Therapist-----Full-Time----Caldwell-IdahoOrthopedics-PT.php

Structure an interview with a professional in your career field:

a. Name of Professional, Date & Time of Interview, Interview Technique
Vanessa Matallana, Friday Feb. 19, 2016, Occupational Therapy

(2 pts)

b. Name Company and Years of the Professionals experience

(2 pts)

Professional Experience for 3 years

c. List the professionals description of the career

(2 pts)
Orthopedics OT (Works mostly with special-ed kids in helping them learn to speak
and/or improve speaking)

d. List the professionals education and certifications

(2 pts)
Graduate from Stephen F. Austin (Undergraduate Degree) and went to Texas Tech
(graduate/OT Program).

e. Explain what were the influences for selecting this profession

(2 pts)
Stability within the field. Career is increasing and more jobs are being needed. Also
pays well and can have a lot of impact in peoples lives.

f. Describe the professionals reasons for selecting this career

Same as above

g. List 5 positives the professional shares about the career

(2 pts)
(5 pts)

Money
Job Opportunities
Help improve peoples lives
Not a boring job. Something different everyday
Good life experience and gives you a different view of life.

h. Describe 5 negatives the professional reveals about the career

(5 pts)

Difficult to see little kids struggle

Heart-breaking and tough
Time consuming (but they said it was worth it towards the end)

VII. Summary Statement (after completing the investigative research, summarize the reasons you want to
pursue this profession, or reasons for NOT wanting to pursue this profession)
(1 pts)

Career Research Project

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While my interview was with a family friend and her occupation is Occupational Therapy while I want to
do Physical Therapy, she gave me good advice on what I need to do in order to get into graduate school
but also how I need to start with lots of internship and start accumulation hours in order to get hire. She
talked about OT and how its just as difficult as PT and take lots of strength and patients but how she does
not regret going into it. Im very excited for my journey a head and can wait to help and experience new
things within my PT career.

SCORING GUIDE

0_______________20%_________40%___________60%___________80%______________100%
No evidence

Attempted
But unclear

Career Research Project

Below
expectations

OKmore
information suggested

Satisfactory
more information

Outstanding!
Superb!!

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