Growing up as the son of a rural Iowa veterinarian, I gained my first experience in the medical field accompanying my father on calls, and from an early age my interest was piqued. It was the first in a series of experiences that pointed me toward a career in physical therapy. During my primary and secondary years, some elderly neighbors often called on me to help them with household chores around their house and garden. This is where I first discovered my love of working to help others. It was rewarding, beyond any compensation, to know that I was helping them live a little longer independently, even if I only played a small role in doing their odd jobs. During this time, I also developed a passion for sports and physical activity, which helped me learn life lessons that I do my best to put into practice today. First, I learned the overwhelming value of teamwork. In the field of physical therapy, I see teamwork in the way a therapist must work with many other healthcare professionals, from the doctor who gives the initial referral to the occupational therapists or speech therapists who also deal with the same person. All members of this team must coordinate their efforts to be able to successfully deliver the best possible treatment. Additionally, through sports, I learned the ever-useful lesson of hard work. I recognize that there are times in life that simply require you to put in the hours and effort, and I have found that I am content in giving what it takes to overcome challenges. My interest in athletics also led in part to my discovery of physical therapy as a career option. When my sister tore her ACL in elementary school, I was fascinated by the recovery program they used to restore her health...... middle of paper...... the one who treats one of my clients. I help guide the client at home in the same exercises the family was asked to do, but with more knowledge about proper technique and goals for improvement. I learned to use more positive vocabulary and discovered how much more empowering it is to replace the phrase “Could you” with “You can”. Often, this vote of confidence can be the influencing factor that inspires someone to improve. A wide range of life and career exploration experiences have led me to be highly motivated to pursue a career in physical therapy. Throughout my journey, these experiences have helped shape me into a hard worker, a team player, a motivated learner, and generally a positive person who enjoys working with and caring for people. I believe that possessing these characteristics makes me a good candidate for this profession.