For most of my life, I had no idea physical therapy existed. I struggled with career ideas for years and never had an answer to the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Fortunately, one summer changed my life. I had the opportunity to shadow pretty much any career I wanted for the entire summer and initially, was uninterested. I was in high school, working a ton, didn't even know if college was right for me, and didn’t want to waste my time. Yet something compelled me to choose physical therapy on a complete whim. Countless careers were on the list, but physical therapy stood out for some reason. My only prior knowledge of the career was that my grandpa had undergone numerous rounds of PT and often complained about how torturous it was. Despite his complaints, I saw him improving daily. Witnessing the impact it had on his life firsthand ignited my desire to explore the field. From my first hour in a physical therapy clinic, I knew it was the right fit for me. I loved the environment and the genuine people attracted to the career. By the end of that summer, I was still excited to be there. Nothing was more rewarding than seeing a patient who couldn't walk on their first day walk out independently on their last. Their sense of accomplishment, and knowing they had worked hard for their own success was beyond inspiring. While there were difficult and depressing moments, the positives far outweighed the negatives. That summer made me realize why no other career had ever appealed to me before; this one felt destined. I was 17 then, and now at 19, I'm nearly two years into my bachelor’s degree in exercise science and working in a physical therapy clinic. I still love it. I’m forming bonds with patients and witnessing their growth, and can envision a future in this field. I’ve developed a particular interest in rural medicine and am considering a rural physical therapy program for my DPT. Growing up in several remote areas of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah, I feel a strong passion for rural healthcare. I want to be a vital presence in communities that lack medical resources, as I’ve seen family members struggle to receive adequate care in these areas. This aspect of physical therapy and medicine overall is often overlooked, and I believe I could thrive in such settings. The best advice I received from a physical therapist is that you must genuinely care about people. Ultimately, that’s the only way this career will fulfill you. I truly feel compassion and hope for the patients I encounter daily. My favorite part of this life is talking to others and learning what makes them tick—their passions, fears, regrets, life lessons, and loves. There are so many people on this earth, and we all have the ability to connect with each other. Why not spend as much time as possible doing that? I've had multiple people tell me since I started pursuing this goal that I'll change my mind. They've told me it's too intense, it's too much school, people aren't worth all that effort, I feel like I've heard it all. At the end of the day though, I know I'm pursuing a career I really care about and that I'll love until I retire, which not everybody can say. I have the confidence, dedication, and passion in myself, and I know I'll make it happen. Call it corny, but I genuinely can’t wait to be a physical therapist one day.