From Injury to Inspiration: My Path to Physical Therapy by Jesus

From Injury to Inspiration: My Path to Physical Therapy by Jesus - February 2025 Scholarship Essay

A particular subject that inspires me is Kinesiology, as I strive for ways to improve my physical health. My interest in this subject began when I endured countless injuries throughout my running seasons and was motivated to identify the root cause behind each injury in order to take the proper steps to prevent my seasons from ending early.
After I endured a knee injury in 9th grade that impacted my ability to walk and compete in the track & field preliminaries, I decided to seek out my coach for guidance as I was unsure about what went wrong. He assigned me to a physical therapy program where I did various stretches and exercises such as doing squats, leg presses, and the bicycle at my school’s gym. As I slowly started seeing improvements, I was fascinated by how my coach’s advice was working. I wanted to know the science behind why I had to do movements a specific way and the impact it had on my body. From my injury, I learned about the importance of practicing self-care techniques and addressing pain sooner than later.
Since I was interested in the complicated chemistry of the human body, I applied to the Young Researcher’s Program (YRP) at USC where I chose chemistry as my field of study for six-weeks. During my research, I identified molecules using a mass spectrometer, helped build lab devices, and fixed leaks with a pressure tool. Within the program, I reached out to physical therapy students and visited their lab, where I was intrigued by the unconventional lab setting. I saw patients engage in various exercises using machines and weights and devices that measured muscle activity, calories, and breathing. I envisioned myself working in this type of lab perhaps studying a specific injury or recovery method.
Through my experiences with personal rehabilitation, the STEAMM conference, and the USC Young Researcher’s Program I am inspired and driven to pursue a career in physical therapy. I want to harness my fascination for Kinesiology and help patients who were once in my position to take an active role in their recovery and achieve optimal health outcomes, much like my coach did for me. I acknowledge a college education is necessary to move one step closer to my goals so I can gain the necessary skills and knowledge for my career path. I plan on seeking opportunities in research, internships, job shadowing, and summer programs dedicated to psychical therapy during my undergraduate years to increase my exposure for this field and gain preparation for Physical Therapy School.