What do you plan on majoring in when you get to college and why did you choose that major? by Kiersten

What do you plan on majoring in when you get to college and why did you choose that major? by Kiersten - May 2023 Scholarship Essay

I am looking forward to attending college and majoring in Biology. I intend to pursue a career as a Physical Therapist or as an Athletic Trainer for a professional sports team. Although, as an athlete, I have had firsthand experiences with physical therapy, my ambitions to pursue this field of study truly started after my grandfather had knee surgery. I worked with my grandfather with his at-home regime, attended some therapy sessions with him, and saw how his journey impacted him emotionally and mentally.

I dove deeper into my desires by completing a job-shadowing experience with a Physical Therapist. Through this experience I worked with patients, interviewed the staff about their educational journey, and learned that patience is key. Patience is key in becoming a physical therapist, but it is also key in prescribing the most appropriate plan for the patients. I was able to meet several patients and they each spoke very highly about the role of their physical therapist in their journey. They said that within the few months they had been treated, they saw major progress in their recovery.

My desire to become an Athletic Trainer is cultivated from my experience with our trainer in my high school. Athletes are prone to injuries and having someone close by makes it easier to address those medical concerns. The Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin’s story was able to have a positive outcome in part due to the immediate response of the medical staff. One of the most impactful images in NFL history will forever be of the players and coaches praying as he was taken away in an ambulance.

So, having someone in close proximity during games not only helps athletes physically, but also helps us to have the confidence in our body that is needed in order to finish the game. I can recall twisting my ankle in a basketball game and looking up to see the athletic trainer sprinting across the court to aid me. Her quickness and calmness in aiding me truly made me appreciate what she does for us. Once I busted my chin open in a game. I laid on the floor crying because of the pain and thought of possible paralysis. The athletic trainer came to me and calmly as me a few questions, asked to see my chin, and slowly took me off the court. I felt calm and reassured by her assistance. This inspired me to consider working in this field.

I plan to make an impact in today’s society by providing a holistic recovery plan for my patients. Although my focus will be on the physical health of my patients, it is important for me to consider their emotional and mental health too. I have experienced a lack of confidence in my body when I returned to basketball, I saw my grandfather struggle with his inability to drive and walk without assistance, and I observed a lot from the patients I worked with during the job-shadowing experience at a local physical therapy office. One patient at the office shared that he felt emasculated because he was not able to be as active for his family and that he now required so much assistance. So, I am motivated by these experiences to provide a service that can support the physical, emotional, and mental concerns of my patients on the recovery journey.