My Last TPTA Conference Experience as an SPT

My beautiful friend and one of my favorite peoples of all time!

Two weekends ago I attended the TPTA conference, and that weekend was nothing short of hectic. The driving, the standing, the picture taking, etc. I have to say though that it was definitely bittersweet. Going into this year's conference was a bit different than the last two. For one thing going around during the exhibit hall felt way more important, and giving out resumes and my name out there was my mission in addition to talking to possible companies I can potentially work for! The classes also seem, shall I say, more applicable? Now that I'm about to finish and with clinical experience underneath my belt all the continuing ed courses somehow click together.



And to think that next year when I go back I'll be hopefully (no, I WILL be) a PT, DPT... a new professional. Now that's exciting! Being an officer for the Student Interest Group (aka Texas Student Physical Therapy Association) has been fun. I've been lucky in that my position is thorough and straight forward, and many of the executive decision making isn't completely up to me. Additionally, I'm given a task to complete and I can focus on getting it done. Otherwise my position as historian has been rather rewarding and I'm so glad I chose to ran last year!

The UTHSCSA group! Student + professors included!

Sarah will be replacing me for next year! She'll do a great job for sure!

This is only my third state level conference of many, and I'm so excited to keep going and keep advocating for PT. It is such a truly wonderful profession. Attending this conference this year has also taught me a few things:

1. Grades honestly do not matter anymore in graduate school. Which is why instead of aiming for an A, I'm going to aim for my BEST and what I can accomplish given my circumstance but also keep my life in check and to take care of myself. Too bad I only learned this sort of midway in PT school.

2. The PT who graduates with the lowest GPA average or mid level average in your class could potentially earn 15,000 more than you in a few years depending on who's smart enough to work around the market and who is more productive (this is from one of the companies reps I conversed with at the conference).

3. Like everything else in life, time management is key. Temporary licenses are VERY doable. Just make sure you work hard to continue to study during that time, and even before you graduate.

4. Be open to different settings and don't just settle for one setting and stay there for the rest of your life. I think at least 4 vendors and 1 particular Hiring Manager at a hospital I'd like to work at mentioned that to me. Specializations aren't everything!

5. Always be mindful for whomever you talk to! For example, you are already being judged the moment you walk in a facility by the receptionist when you enter for an interview.

I'm only a few months away from graduation... and I am so ready! I'm going to miss the fun times in school, but I'm also excited to start working and settling. So far rotations have been so fun and I'm looking forward to working!

Sincerely,

Jacquis

p.s. catch some of the fun things I did get to do on the way and at Dallas during my trip on my instagram!