My Dream Job by Adam

My Dream Job by Adam - February 2019 Scholarship Essay

My dream job is to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy and own a physical therapy clinic that specializes in sports injuries. My dream job began as a gift in disguise when I suffered a tragic injury that changed the course of my life and pointed me towards a career in Physical Therapy.
During a soccer tournament in Denver, Colorado, I collided with a player on the opposing team and unfortunately only one of us walked away. I laid on the soccer field with a broken leg wondering if this was the end of my soccer career. The emergency room doctor diagnosed the break as a Salter-Harris fracture of the growth plate which meant surgery, a long recovery, and possibly stunted growth. I returned home to Albuquerque, New Mexico with three metal screws in my femur and a full cast on my leg. When the soccer season started, I couldn’t practice or try out for the soccer team. I sat on the sideline and watched every soccer practice and every game. The sadness in my heart was unbearable.
When the cast was removed, my doctor recommended Physical Therapy. The physical therapists at Peak Motion Physical Therapy treated me like a member of their family. They gave me the individual care and attention that I needed, and they pushed me towards my goal of playing soccer before the end of the season. I walked into the physical therapy clinic on crutches, and four months later I was running on the treadmill. After another two months, the doctor released me to play full-contact soccer. My doctor originally told me that my recovery would last eight months, but because of my excellent surgeon and physical therapists, my recovery only lasted six months and I was able to play soccer during the last month of the season. The effect on my life was profound, and I began to consider a career in Physical Therapy.
I volunteered my time at Peak Motion Physical Therapy as a summer intern to learn more about becoming a physical therapist. The therapists warned me that this is a very strenuous and selfless career. My main responsibility was doing laundry and cleaning equipment, but the best part of my day was participating in patient evaluations and helping patients with their exercises. I could identify with the patients and share my story of healing. The following summer, Peak Motion Physical Therapy hired me as a Physical Therapy Technician. It was a dream come true for me, and it encouraged me to continue my chosen career path.
I returned to the soccer field with a renewed sense of purpose. As a two-year Captain for the St. Pius X High School soccer program, I took my team to the District 5-5A Championships in 2016 and 2017 and the District 5 State Runner-Up Championship in 2016. I was awarded Honorable Mention All-District 5A in 2015, Second Team All-District 5A in 2016, and Honorable Mention All-State in 2016 and 2017. I also received several St. Pius X High School soccer awards including the Best Rookie Award in 2014, the Best Midfielder Award in 2016, and the most prestigious Dominico Marquez Leadership Award in 2017.
I have been accepted into the Honors Program at Regis University in Denver, Colorado. Regis is a small Jesuit university which is ranked #28 in the country for physical therapy. I plan to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Honors Biology and a Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy. I believe that I can succeed at Regis University because it is very similar to St. Pius X High School where I graduated with a rank of #5 in my class and a 4.39 GPA. I have secured a FAFSA loan for $5000 per year, and I plan to pay the interest while I am in school. I was awarded two scholarships from Regis University including the Board of Trustees Scholarship for $19,000 and the Catholic High School Award for $1,000. I also received a $500 scholarship from a private corporation, and the Varsity Tutors Scholarship is important because it will pay the remaining cost of tuition.
Phil Baca is the owner of Peak Motion Physical Therapy, and he opened his clinic with a different approach to Physical Therapy. He believes in treating the whole person instead of focusing on one part of the body. Mr. Baca encouraged me to pursue a career in Physical Therapy, and he taught me that anything is possible if you believe in yourself. He gave me the gift of healing and showed me how I can help other people. Mr. Baca taught me that I can be a successful business owner with hard work and a positive attitude. He inspires me to work towards my goal of owning a premier physical therapy clinic that uses the latest science and technology to heal patients who are recovering from a sports injury. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story and thank you for your consideration.