My STEP signature project was an internship at the Wilce Student Health Center. I was a physical therapy student assistant, and my main activities included administrative tasks such as scheduling and answering phone calls, cleaning equipment, and checking patients into their appointment.
Through completing my STEP signature project my understanding regarding myself and future career was transformed. I learned a lot about the field of physical therapy and patient care. As I am applying to physical therapy school this internship gives me an edge and learning experience that I will be able to apply in physical therapy school and as a future physical therapist. I was able to see the different types of patients and different types of interactions physical therapists have with their patients. I also was exposed to a lot of different rehab therapies including manual therapy, deep tissue massages, electric stim machines, ultrasounds, and more. This experience transformed my outlook on my future career by exposing me to many aspects of it and confirming that I want to work in the field of physical therapy.
One key aspect of my experience within my STEP project was the relationships I formed with the physical therapists at the Wilce. I worked with three different physical therapists and a sports medicine physician within my internship. These relationships are important to me as they enabled me to form connections and network with people who have gone through physical therapy school and who are involved within the field. This allowed me to learn a lot about the field and the different experiences they each had. In addition I was able to see three different physical therapists style and approach to physical therapy which taught me the individuality within different therapists.
Secondly, my interactions with patients was also an important aspect within my project. I was able to work directly with patients for the first time which gave me exposure to patient care. I was able to learn how to deal with different patients and the administrative side of physical therapy. I worked with patients to check them into their appointment, schedule their next one, and aid the physical therapists in things such as demonstrating exercises and stretching the patients.
Lastly, the activities I did during my STEP project also played a key role in my transformation. During my internship I participated in different events and activities including a staff event at Ohio Stadium that celebrated the staff involved in student life at OSU. This was a cool experience as I got to connect with many staff members involved in different aspects of OSU. Other activities I participated in were in service where other staff members from the Wilce were taught about different aspects of physical therapy that they can apply into their care including crutch, cane, boot, and brace usage. I was used as a participant for the physical therapists to demonstrate these rehab tools. Both of these activities were beneficial to me as they showed me different aspects of physical therapy.
This transformational experience is valuable for my life because it exposed me to many aspects of the career I am pursuing. It allowed me to observe direct patient care, develop relationships with providers, complete administrative tasks, and attend events to further my knowledge of the field. This experience also provided me with the knowledge of what my future career will look like and it gave me exposure to the challenges I may face. This change is important to me because it confirmed my interest in the field of physical therapy and gives me confidence that I am pursuing the right career.