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Joining a Division 1 Athletic Team
Committing to a collegiate athletic team was the largest decision I have made. Understanding that social life is now last on my list of priorities was a tough pill to swallow at first. However, with the end of my senior year of college in sight, I'm proud that I pursued both my academic and athletic careers. Having dedicated my entire life to the sport of Tennis, it has always been my dream to continue the sport into college. Through the process of recruitment and deciding on which school fit me best, IU Indy was the most optimal choice. The education, athletic programs, coaching, team culture, and school location best fit what I was looking for in a college athletic program. Once I made the decision, I understood that the extensive workouts, late nights, and pressure of performing at a high level wasn't over, but only just beginning. Committing to a team means more than showing up and playing. It is the beginning of a lifelong family. A family that will push one another to become a better version of themselves on and off the court. Whether in the classroom, weightroom, or practice; we are committed to one another.
Playing as a junior I always looked up to collegiate athletes. Regardless of the sport I have the utmost respect for their hard work, resilience, and time management. Now experiencing it myself I can confirm it is one of the most difficult tasks I have had to balance but wouldn't change my college experience in the slightest.
Working at an Out-patient Physical Therapy office
Everyone has a story as to why they have decided to pursue a particular path. Mine begins with athletics.
Athletics have led me to injury... injuries have led to me pain... pain has led me to physical therapy... resulting in my future job of choice!
Working part time at a well-known Physical Therapy company (Athletico), I have acquired a strong understanding as to what the day in the life of a physical therapist looks like. The procedures range in exercises and movement, along with the length. The client base can range from physical testing for job applications, surgery recovery, muscle stretches, etc. The ages of the recovering clients can range all over the spectrum, athletes or non-athletes. The clients are typically on an hourly visit time limit. It all begins with making sure to have all equipment is set and cleaned before the client arrives.
For different physical therapy practices, differing methods occur. Some PT offices do job assessments, for new employees to be assessed based on various exercise:
- Experience of surgery or medical attention
- Mental issues that could impact the physical demands of day to day work
- Flexibility and curvatures of the body
- Strength and resistance
- Physical issues (scoliosis, hernias, etc.)
Plus the actual physical testing of job demands:
- Sled pushing, weighted carries, time under tension, ability to climb, etc.
Depending on the job the corporation gives the PT a list of requirements and the Physical Therapists job is to assess the individual to see if they are meeting the requirements. The PT has to power to fail the individual.
Physical Therapists also do referrals from hospitals for post op patients, these are typically people with knee, rotator cuff, hip, etc. surgery. They come in and have the mobility tested by angles are set on a weekly plan of typically two visits per week where they are tested, stretched, strengthened, and tested again to hopefully meet the requirement of a set angle for sustainable physical movement. Some patients come in for months while others come in for weeks. There are a few occurrences of patients coming in for years, typically these are older clients that take much longer in work therapy on.
Overall, having worked part time over the last three years as well as shadowing at numerous in and out-patient clinics over the years, I can conclude that this is the field in which I want to work. Being young and eager to learn more gives me the fuel to dive deeper into unknown topics to expand my knowledge. I believe the best learning comes from real life on the field practice.
Volunteering at the Northern Indiana food bank
Since the age of eleven, I have been involved in the Food Bank of Northern Indiana. It is a bit unusual, but my initial exposure to the Northern Indiana food bank came during the Halloween season. At a young age when I was preparing my costume for the neighborhood candy round-up, I noticed that my older brother was preparing in a different way. He was putting together and delivering flyers to the neighborhood requesting non-perishable food for donations to the local food bank. As a 7th grader, my brother went without a costume, gave up the candy, and instead spent hours planning and executing our family food drive “Trick or Treat so the Hungry Can Eat.” I looked up to my brother, so I jumped in and helped him, eventually taking over the program after several years. I found it incredibly rewarding. Over the years, we collected van loads of food for donation to the Northern Indiana Food Bank. Through this association, I became involved in volunteering at the food bank at other times of the year organizing, sorting, and packaging different food types for stock and delivery.
Helping those with food insecurity is a bit of a theme in our family. Nutrition is a basic daily need that is taken for granted by most people. However, those without means often go without basic nutrition. This can be witnessed by observing the physical state of those living in the streets and at local homeless shelters. As an extension of our family service, my family and I also volunteer to serve meals to the homeless, especially when the weather turns cold. Serving those in need has given me an appreciation for what I have been given in life. I have made it a personal goal to stay involved in volunteer work. Having been involved at numerous shelters near my home I empathize for those who are struggling to find their next meal. Whenever I get the opportunities to go home and visit, I try and visit the food bank and see if their is a shortage of staff. This is an ongoing volunteer service that I have put many hours into and take pride in being involved.
Local shelters near my home:
https://feedindiana.org - Northern Indiana Food Bank
https://www.cfh.net - South Bend Center for the Homeless
https://www.olrsb.org - Our Lady of the Road Catholic Worker House
Everyday is a learning experience
Everyday is a learning experience
These are just the beginning of my life experiences.
There are many more to come and I welcome them with open arms.
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