Hey everyone,
I’m a current freshman at Duquesne University in the business school.
My passions are more with the health sciences. I, unfortunately, do not have a heavy science background, but I understand what academic rigor it takes to do well in undergrad (in a science major).
I’m considering either dietetics or physical therapy.
Any current students/professionals in the field have any advice?
Anything will help!
Thanks!
awe1ss,
I’ll tell you what schools and others won’t…its free information on-line…
Most want to talk about “do what you love” etc, but few talk about the financial future. I’ll speak to the physical therapy side of things since I’ve seen countless students and PT’s get in over their head with debt.
From your school’s website
From bls.gov
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm
Happy to discuss further but feel the $$$ discussion is important in these decisions
Hey Matthew,
Thanks for responding!
I’m fortunately in a financial situation where debt will not be much of a problem!
As someone who changed majors his senior year and changed schools, I’ll tell you that for me (n of 1) it was the right decision. Ironically it was moving from a science degree to a business degree.
But I realized that I did not want a career using that degree and wanted a different education. I was also luckily in a debt free positions, so definitely a luxury.
That said, 15 years after graduating with a business degree I have had a few different types of careers as I find what I really want to do. Your undergrad is great to get the basic knowledge you want to apply later in your career. If you think that is going to be in the sciences, then go for it.
A lesson from what I have heard Jordan talk about in training is early specialization. That reminds me of the pressure of undergraduate majors. You want to learn HOW TO LEARN. The odds that you pick the exact right career specialization now is low, and that’s okay. You’ve got another 50 years of work in front of you. Who knows what careers will be available in 2050.
Follow you passion and interests. They will keep you motivated and learning. If it turns out you picked wrong or some other life event shuts that door, then no worries. You’ve learned how to learn and you can reinvent yourself.
I have been a bio major, biz grad, stock broker, furniture builder, sales guy, supply chain consultant, business development consultant, financial strategy consultant, and on the founding team of a media/tech start up. I loved some of these jobs and hated some of them. Left some for better opportunities and hit hard by a recession in others. Some of these paid well, others not so much. But after a job covers the basics, I promise that more money does not make up for not being passionate and excited to get up and go do more of it.
Adam,
This is very insightful!
My current plan is to take prerequisite science classes over the summer and transfer programs in the fall!
I could go straight into a grad school program track (PT, Athletic Training), but I believe I’ll be better suited in the offered B.S. in Health Sciences considering I’m not sure on a specialty.
Hopefully in my case, generalists will triumph over specialists (cough cough Range cough cough)!!
Thanks,
Andrew
Yeah, the only other thing I would add is that I transferred and changed majors my senior year. May have made more sense for being that far into my major credits to just finish and do a different masters degree if debt wasn’t an issue.
Stay curious and expose yourself to lots of ideas, concepts, careers, etc. Dont underestimate the value of talking to people doing the jobs you are interested in. Everyone loves sharing their insights and being an “expert.” Just take it with a grain of salt, everyone’s personal experience is an n of 1. But taken together becomes very informative. And you having a larger network will pay off in lots of areas.
I’d just finish your business degree, then work with health care providers to advertise their business and visions. You can help them with the business side. Don’t want to sound rude but don’t get an online topic that interests you as a life goal if that makes sense. A lot of people want to change their careers to do what BBM does but it’s not really plausible in most situations. Plus we need more than doctors spreading the message.