I MUST BE CRAZY

I’ve recently made perhaps one of the most difficult decisions in my life, I’ve decided to go back to school. Many of you would probably assume it’s for my MBA but it’s actually for physical therapy. Even when I think about it, I wonder if I’m crazy. I’m completely switching career paths going from business to science when the last real science class I took was physics in 12th grade.

Since college, I’ve had one friend in particular always stressing to me to do something in life I’m really passionate about. He brought up the fact that I’ll be doing this for the next 40-45 years of my life. Although I am very blessed and fortunate to have been hired by Accenture, after experiencing it for the past 5+ months, I’ve come to the realization that I can’t see myself in the office setting 40-50 hours a week for the next 40-45 years of my life. I know many will say it’s way too early to judge but I’d much rather be doing something I enjoy then doing something where I am simply going through the motions. Don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with office work but it’s just not for me.

There is a lot of competition in the business world and the way it works at Accenture is you are matched with people who are around your start date and experience level. You are graded by a reviewer on several points based on whether you exceed, meet or are below expectations. Each level has a set percentage of raises to be given out ranging from 1% to 8%. Although I see the necessity in creating a competitive work environment, I’ve realized I am not as cut throat as I thought I was. Also, there is almost a set plan as far as when you should be promoted. Currently I am a level E and I believe it goes from A to H. I believe every 2 or so years you are expected to be promoted to the next level which means more responsibility and more hours. My manager probably works up ends of 60 hours a week including weekends (I see emails on Saturday nights), he is extremely good at what he does but again that lifestyle isn’t for me.

I want a job that will allow me to interact and help people and isn’t repetitive (it’s a lot to ask I know). After hearing my PT and her co-workers talk about how I’ve progressed and how rewarding it is to see patients improve, I wanted that feeling of helping others overcome obstacles. I also like the appeal of a therapists job, in doing what’s best for the patient and helping them get better. There is minimal to no competition as far as promotions (from what I know). After speaking with Chris, Martin (both currently in PT school) and being around my therapist, they’ve all inspired me to make this decision and I believe this a job where I can be passionate about. My friend asked me, would I rather make double doing what I do now or be a physical therapist and my answer was physical therapist with no hesitation and that excites me.

Tentatively it looks like I’ll be leaving Accenture in December so that I’ll have three full semesters at Montgomery College to finish my pre requisites. This will also allow me to save up some money so that I can pay for PT school. I still need to meet with a friend to have a plan in place before I apply, but I believe I will be applying October-December of 2011 and plan to be in PT school by 2012.

I KNOW this will be extremely difficult but I do believe God has put me in this situation for a reason. Thinking about the events which have led me to make my decision from getting hurt, getting a job which allowed me to have insurance, to getting surgery, meeting my therapist and talking with people about my future, every step has been almost perfectly set up for me to make this decision. I spoke with a former coworker about my future and how I was thinking about changing career paths, he explained that if it’s something I really want, I need to go for it because I’ll live my life in regret if I don’t even make an effort. Obviously there are HUGE risks with my decision, I’m giving up a comfortable job with a big company, venturing to a field which I have minimal to no experience in and the drop rate in PT school is relatively high. Believe me I am scared out of my mind but I’m more scared not to even try. If I try and fail, I can honestly live with my decision that I made an effort.

I challenge all of you to really do something you enjoy. I thought I wanted to do business but it’s really not for me and I’m glad I at least have a chance to do something I can see myself enjoying. Don’t do something because it’s safe or the right thing to do or your parents say so. Do it because YOU want to and don’t worry about what others think. It’s your life and your career and make an active effort to doing what you want to do. There is no doubt in my mind I’ll be miserable numerous times throughout this whole process but if I focus on the ultimate goal the rewards will far overshadow the hardships.

I’ve already told some of you about my decision to return to school and I’m glad to have the support from all of you. Many of you were in disbelief I’d make such a big decision but also offered words of encouragement. My mom was shocked to hear my final decision but ultimately wants me to be happy. I’m thankful and blessed to such an amazing group of family and friends and appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

James 1:2-6
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.