Head First: What I Learned from Jumping In as a New Grad DPT

When I was a student in PT school, I wasn't comfortable jumping in first. I was never the student to volunteer first. I never wanted to be the "patient" in the class demonstration. I never wanted to answer questions that the teacher posed first. Since I have graduated, many of these things have changed, but some have not.

I am still a shy person. By no means have I transitioned from being an introvert to an extrovert. I still enjoy my quiet nights at home to recharge. I like reading by myself. Large crowds of people continue to make me nervous. But my harnessing my ability to control my anxiety in those uncomfortable situations, and learning to take control in those uncomfortable moments for me, I have been able to grow and expand into several realms of the PT world that I never thought I could access before. In my short 8 months as a licensed physical therapist (and 3 years of immersing myself in PT culture as an SPT), I have had many experiences that I previously didn't think that I was capable of.

Below is a list of ideas to help you get more involved in our physical therapy profession based on the successes that I have had thus far.

1. Join a section with the APTA. I have been a member of the geriatrics, neurology, and research sections of the APTA since becoming a student member at the start of my DPT schooling. It has connected me to professionals within the fields that I am interested in, and has also lead to opportunities to serve and volunteer within those groups. Being a student section member also allows you to explore that realm of physical therapy, assisting you in researching not only the opportunities in that field, but also the general vibe and feel of the group. Neuro feels much different from geriatrics, which are both entirely different than research. I was an ortho section member for a year during my orthopedic semester for PT school to get access to the resources, but decided I wasn't interested and did not re-join the following year. 
2. Volunteer for committees. Many of the connections I have made have been through experiences I have had on committees as a student and now young professional. Many of the sections have committees or SIGs (special interest groups) that you can sign up for/serve on, even as a student or new graduate. Most groups really like having the fresh perspective. It is also an opportunity of you to work had and impress people within the field who you otherwise might not have met. Through working on the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy awards committee, I have been able to meet several individuals who have very unique experiences and opinions outside of my own, which has allowed me to grow as a newbie. 
3. Join groups outside of the APTA. One of the connections that I gained, which has helped to solidify my involvement in the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, actually started through a different group. I currently serve as the clinical liaison for the Balance and Falls SIG of the AGPT, which is a recent development thanks to a contact that I met through volunteering with the Health Sciences Section welcome crew through the Gerontological Society of America. I met Mariana, the chair of the SIG, as I was sending out a welcome email for GSA's HS section. I noted that she was a familiar name based off of the materials I regularly receive from the AGPT and met her not at an APTA conference, but at the GSA Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans this past November. We connected at GSA, and she inquired if I was interested in joining the Balance and Falls SIG leadership board as the clinical liaison (as a new grad... Which is so cool) and I accepted. Having a person in my professional circle that is even more motivated than I am (she is only 4 years out and could easily be mistaken as a 10 year seasoned professional) has helped to push me and keeps me moving forward and avoiding burn out. 
   
4. Apply for it... Even if you aren't/don't think you are qualified. Sometimes you just need to lay it all out on the line. My personal example comes from the time I applied as chair of the GeriEDGE committee on research and practice. Was I qualified? No! But they sent out several emails to the AGPT members asking for applications, extending the deadline more than once, so I figured I would give it a shot. Obviously there are many people out there who are way more qualified and experienced than a new student, but I applied and got a response within a week. They explained that while they were looking for someone with more experience, they would be happy to welcome me to the group, and thus, I was in. 
5. Shake things up! As the co-chair in Illinois for the AGPT state advocate program, my first line of action was to establish a Facebook group for communications among AGPT members within our state. What seemed like a simple task resulted in a two month long discussion including a formal proposal within the AGPT board of directors. While my ingenious idea to start easy in this new role soon snowballed into a branding, licencing, and image discussion, my name is now out there among the higher-ups. 
6. It's not what you know, it's who you know. Through my involvement in the APTA and GSA, I have been able to rub elbows with many of the giants in the fields I am interested in. I am on a first name basis with Tim Kauffman. I had tea with Desmond O'Neill at a luncheon. I am also on the radar of several giants within the social media realm from my work with the Balance and Falls SIG. Being involved means staying involved, because these connections lead to not only further opportunities, but also accountability to stay involved.

So take a chance! Volunteer. Sign up. Raise your hand. You might just find a new niche and meet some cool new friends. If you are not currently a member, I recommend joining the American Physical Therapy Association. Once a member, you can join the many sections the group has to offer. Each section has special interest groups, or SIGs that can help you further focus your efforts as a physical therapist.