PT career coach: Why you need one

Do you think you need a PT career coach? Many of us haven’t really given this one a thought. We depend on our seniors and a lot of times follow in their footsteps. There is nothing wrong with having a role model. But are you even considering that there may be other possibilities apart from what you see around yourself? In this article today we are going to explore how a PT career coach can help you when you feel stuck in your professional journey. 

Why did you decide to become a physiotherapist? For me, that was because I saw my grandmother’s recovery after knee replacement. I knew physiotherapy had a crucial part to play. Some of us pursue physiotherapy because they always wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. While others join PT college because they want to get settled abroad. No matter what, Physiotherapy looked like a promising career to choose at that point. And it is still true!

Problems faced by new grads

However, when we graduate, most of us feel confused about what to do next. Some of you start to doubt yourself if it was the right career choice. Some consider exploring non-clinical career options at that point. On the other hand, those who love their clinical work wonder how they are going to make more money. Salaries offered to new graduates don’t cover the cost of living all the time. For me, I did not know all my options when starting out. 

Problems faced by overseas aspirants 

Things are often harder for those who want to go abroad. Because they have to make decisions sitting miles away from their future college. They do not know where to apply, how to apply, and what are job prospects after their graduation. Not to mention, pursuing higher education abroad frequently involves large expenses. When you are shelling out an exorbitant amount of money, of course, you want to be sure of your decision. For me, when I moved to the USA, licensing process felt overwhelming since there were many steps involved

Problems faced by experienced PTs

When you have been in the game for a few years you have figured out the pros and cons of a PT Career. It can look very different for everyone depending on your unique situation. For me the biggest pro is I love working as a clinical PT, I enjoy helping patients to get back to function. The biggest con for me so far was burnout. That had a lot to do with an inconsistent and erratic schedule. Work-life balance becomes even more important after having a baby. Another problem some of my colleagues face is having a hard time getting back into the workforce after maternity leave. In the meantime, some lose interest or some feel stuck. By far, I feel, burnout is the biggest complaint in this category. 

Honestly, I have been through all these phases, new grad, overseas aspirant, and experienced PT. I know the unique pain points of each phase. Hence I strongly believe that when we are feeling stuck in our career, it is wise to seek the advice of a PT career coach.

Here are some of the ways a PT career coach can help you:

Helping you figure out what to do next

“I do not know what to do next.” Many (many!) new grads feel this way. I completely understand that. I have been around as a PT for enough years to know there are literally endless possibilities. However, when we are just starting out we may not know all our options. 

A good PT career coach will lay out all the possible options they know that are suitable for you. Each student is different. Everyone has unique interests and skills. So when you have a curated list of career possibilities just for you, you feel empowered and confident in taking the next best action. 

Listing different courses for you based on your interest

Each student I meet during my one-on-one consultation sessions is unique. Everyone has different interests and skill sets. Hence, each one needs a customized action plan. The same applies when choosing courses. Based on your needs, a career coach will point you to different courses that you may find worth exploring. The course recommendations you will get will be tailor-made for you. When it comes to career paths, there is no one size fits all approach. 

Guiding you when you feel your career is not moving forward

PTs feel stuck when they are working for an organization/ private clinic for a long time and do not see career growth. It is our basic human need to experience growth in what we do. When we get promoted or get a salary raise we feel internally motivated to do our work. Another time when PTs feel stuck is after maternity/ paternity leave. Many new parents struggle hard to get back into the workforce. When they do, they struggle with maintaining a work-life balance. It is a good idea to find a PT career coach at that point to help you explore some offbeat career options. The PT career coach will discuss your career options and may suggest some of the resources to polish your skills. 

Holding your hand when landing a job

We are never taught how to make a resume, how to write a cover letter and how to prepare for an interview. I have given some terrible job interviews in the past when I thought I did not need ‘interview preparation’. I naively thought I have been PT for a few years, I do not need additional preparation. Boy! I was wrong. I went blank during an interview due to anxiety. Needless to say, I did not get a job offer. When I managed to get a job offer, I took it right away, without negotiating! So I was getting paid less than what could have been possible. 

After going through all these experiences the next time when I gave a PT job interview, I was prepared! Of course, I got the job. Additionally, I negotiated and got a salary raise!

But you know what, you don’t have to jump through all the hoops of terrible job interviews, less than deserved salary to learn the lessons I learned. A good PT career coach will hold your hand starting from job application to salary negotiations. 

So here you have it, reasons to see a PT career coach. If you are considering seeing a career coach, I have great news for ya! I am opening my one-on-one consultation slots very soon! So stay tuned! If you haven’t already, get on the waitlist here!