College guys and grads, help

[rude]

Ok, I have a few questions about getting my degrees. I just finished My basics (as of next week) and I had 3 diffrent "career jobs" I wanted to pursue, however im comfused like a mofo since my college career advisors give horrible advice and they never really answer any specif questions that are asked. So, here are the 3 jobs I am looking to try to get but have no real idea on how to pursue them.

1. First is Physical Therapist. This was my original goal. But a problem since most schools requier a masters or doctorate now. Plus the closes school is like 6 hours away from where I live

2. Long shot Career is Lawyer. However im pretty sure I woudnt be able to stick to the programs to become a lawyer, so thats kinda out of the picture at the moment.

3. Phycian Assitant. This is my New goal, since their is a college near by where I live. Plus the program is 26 months and costs around 14k. And I am very interested in that style of work.

Ok, now here are my questions.

What kinda of degree would I need to pursue these careers? Biology? nursing? Etc?

Anyone have any experiences with programs like these?

And what kind of job would I be able to get with a biology degree? and so on? Just in case I dont get accepted into those programs or I simply dont make it?

Any advice would be appreaciated, sorry for all of the questions but I am fairly confused with all of this and I dont want to take any classes I may not need in the future.

[hitmansb]

Bachelor of Science with Biology distinction isn't going to get you much outside of lab work, unless you want to go to teacher's college and become a high school science teacher.

Bachelor of Arts with Biology distinction will limit you even further.

Of the programs you've outlined, I'd agree that Physician's Assistant is your best bet. Healthcare is always growing, so you'll always have a job...and it pays quite well (median base salary in Texas is $73,500 from the search I did).

[Face]

Sorry to ask a dumb question, but what exactly does being a physicians assistant involve? Am i right to presume that by physician, you mean a medical doctor?

[YellowJacket]

Re: College guys and grads, help

Originally posted by rude

1. First is Physical Therapist. This was my original goal. But a problem since most schools requier a masters or doctorate now. Plus the closes school is like 6 hours away from where I live

I have a couple PT friends, one with an undergrad in Sports Medicine and the other in a Pre-med/Biology undergrad. An undergrad in Biology iactually opens a lot of doors, its very flexible.

3. Phycian Assitant. This is my New goal, since their is a college near by where I live. Plus the program is 26 months and costs around 14k. And I am very interested in that style of work.

MY best friend is in PA school at WVU right now, he's in his 2nd year, which is mostly internships. He has an undergrad in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training Usually, about an BS in a health science field will allow you to go to PA school. Its great money, albeit real work.

[rvgfrth4g]

Find a local community college that offers a 2yr program to be an RN. My fiance is in nursing school right now. And when she gets out she'll be making $20+ an hour. Thats only with the associates degree in nursing. Personally, I think PT is a waste. You'll make less money than an RN but still in the health field. If I was you I'd just go in the nursiong program and make the big bucks. Later, if you want to make the 6 digit salary then get your bachelors in nursing after your associates then get your masters to become a nurse anesthestist.

[YellowJacket]

Originally posted by BigRed54
Personally, I think PT is a waste. You'll make less money than an RN but still in the health field. If I was you I'd just go in the nursiong program and make the big bucks.

I dont know where you live, but here, this couldnt be further from the truth and I imagine its the same elsewhere. PTs with certifications make excellent money, depending on your area and work place, you make significantly more than RN's especially an RN with just an associates.

[rvgfrth4g]

In Alabama there isn't a high demand for PT's. I know people here in bama that got a degree in PT and they're sitting on their ass right now. When everyone I know is in nursing school and they get hired right when they graduate all making atleast $20+ an hour. But I see you're up in WV. So its different everywhere ya go. But it is a fact that the US has a big demand fo RN's everywhere.

[Timma]

Originally posted by Face
Sorry to ask a dumb question, but what exactly does being a physicians assistant involve? Am i right to presume that by physician, you mean a medical doctor?

Pretty much to sum it up, it's a doctor without the liability. They do everything for the doctor, but just need the doc to look it over.

Don't bother with the physician's assistant. If you want to do that, just go to med school. It's a year or two longer, but you'll get paid double.

[YellowJacket]

Originally posted by Timma


Don't bother with the physician's assistant. If you want to do that, just go to med school. It's a year or two longer, but you'll get paid double.

Given PA school is about half the cost of Med school, work is a lot less liable, and insurance is a lot less to carry, a PA is a pretty nice route to go.

[pierced one]

Originally posted by YellowJacket
I dont know where you live, but here, this couldnt be further from the truth and I imagine its the same elsewhere. PTs with certifications make excellent money, depending on your area and work place, you make significantly more than RN's especially an RN with just an associates.

if i am not mistaken a PT doesn't make very much here either. i have heard significantly less than a RN also. I am looking at the same route, and i have noticed a College Athletic trainer with a masters makes quite a bit more than a Pt.

[YellowJacket]

Interesting, ATC's here make close to nothing, you'd almost need a second job to support yourself & a family. I guess the economical differences are fairly profound.

[Timma]

Originally posted by YellowJacket
Given PA school is about half the cost of Med school, work is a lot less liable, and insurance is a lot less to carry, a PA is a pretty nice route to go.

All good points, but everyone that I ever talked to wishes they just went to be a doctor. They say it sucks that they get paid so little for all they do.

[pierced one]

Originally posted by YellowJacket
Interesting, ATC's here make close to nothing, you'd almost need a second job to support yourself & a family. I guess the economical differences are fairly profound.

That could be here. alot of the jobs here don't make shit. We have very little or no manufacturing. i have looked at jobs elsewhere and it just seemed like the cost of living to wage ratio was all messed up.

[shortz]

PAs generally do things for the physician when the physician is not able to see a pt or available to do a certain procedure. I know in the military they have a huge role and do almost everything a pysician does, but in the civilian world, I am not sure to what extent they can do procedures. I think everything has to be done with the pt concious, perhaps like concious sedation, but cannot perform anything under general anastesia.

Pay is awsome and work shouldn't be too difficult to find. You need a BA before you can go to PA school, I believe.

As for the attorney position, I would really think about that one. Pay is great, but good luck finding a job doing anything above a paralegal's job, which is alot of work for not alot of money. Attornies are a dime a dozen.

I know of several people that are physical therapists and enjoy their job, but most of it is repititious. The spend most of their time with elderly patients who have had hip and knee replacements. You would def need to do some additional training or something to get you headed in the direction you want if you wanted to stay away from old people.

[Face]

Originally posted by YellowJacket
Given PA school is about half the cost of Med school, work is a lot less liable, and insurance is a lot less to carry, a PA is a pretty nice route to go.

Yeah Medschool is really expensive here. It doesn't cost much for the local students (about £1000-£1500 a year for the first 4 years, 5th year tuition fees get paid for you) but a foreign student will be forking out £80000 for 5 years, and thats just the tuition fees. Then theres accommodation, books and a whole host of other expenses.