I am a high school junior and I’m confused on what I should go into after high school: go for a Ph.d in psychology or go for physical therapy. Psychology has always been my main interest, but people always warn me of how unsafe of a field it is. Physical therapy is my other option, and I like working with the body and all, but I heard you have to take prerequisite classes like chemistry and such and I don’t like that kind of stuff. Now, I heard physical therapy is a safer field, but the rules are changing a bit and people studying physical therapy are encouraged to go for their DPT (Doctor of physical therapy)..so can anyone help me with any knowledge of either psych careers and physical therapy careers
#1 by Eleasar on February 28, 2010 - 5:55 am
Interesting question, as early in my career I was PT focused, then thru chance, I ended up in Behavioral Health. I am now the CEO of a Psych Hospital. Looking back I was guided in the right direction. The field is not unsafe by any means. In fact, we need more Ph.d level psychologist or psychiatrist now than ever. If you pursued an MD in Psychiatry you will find the lowest malpractice rates, more controllable hours and higher than average pay than the other MD’s (besides surgeons). If all that is stopping you from following your heart is fear of an unsafe environment, then rest easy and follow your heart.
Good luck, and I hope you follow your heart.
#2 by White Tornado on February 28, 2010 - 11:56 am
Psychology is only dangerous if you are working with a Provider
that gives you kickbacks for amping up peoples problems to maximize grant monies. The parent you are working with loses their kid and
comes after you because it’s your fault, and you get what you
deserve.
Physical Therapist is a much more honorable career. You are helping
people recover from injuries and disabilities. If you decide to
defraud an insurance company through overbilling, you are not
harming your patient as you do a psychologist.
Hard facts.
#3 by Ashley on February 28, 2010 - 1:36 pm
I found the site in the box below in recent times when I was searching for a fresh career. I was in a dead-end job but I wasn’t certain what I wanted to do or how to get there. The tips and tricks on the site helped me to decide on my fresh career, and gave me some great ideas about how to begin.
#4 by Eggly on February 28, 2010 - 2:45 pm
in the long run, you will feel like youve accomplished more if you go for a psych career. physical therapy has great things about it too, but i think psych is more rewarding. its really no that dangerous, idk who told you that. id go for psych, personally.
#5 by Jen on February 28, 2010 - 5:39 pm
i don’t know anything about the fields, but I would go for physical therapy.