Weekly Report #8

October 20th- October 27th

In class on Tuesday October 21, 2014 we went over what a display board consists of.  Basically, a display board is the biggest visual we will use while presenting at Research Showcase and at Final Presentation night. It is very important to make it look organized and neat. Mr. Wysong required all the students to submit a rough draft  of what it will look like. Once the rough draft is approved, we will then create the actual board which will be 36x48 inches. On Thursday, I worked on my research assessment #4 and I finalized my Interview Assessment #1. This week I signed up for my research speech. I will be presenting my 10 minute speech on Thursday, November 6th. The purpose of this speech is to combine all the information from which the students have collected through the research and interview assessments into a well developed analysis.

In class, Mr. Wysong asked me a couple of questions about PT. Lance Walker. He wanted to make sure Mr. Walker would be a suitable mentor. After listening to all my responses, he then gave me permission to ask Mr Walker to be my official mentor. I am very excited because I am one of the first people who have been approved to have a mentor.

- I spent approximately 5 hours on ISM work this week.

Topic Proposal

As a topic of study this year, I am interested in learning about Exercise Science. At the beginning of the year my only desire was to learn about chiropractic medicine. After multiple research interviews, I have decided to switch my field of study to something less routine. Specifically, I would like to learn about Athletic Physical Therapy.

I have been an athlete since the age of 3. My father ran track at The University of South Carolina where he met my mom, who was also played for the Gamecocks, on the volleyball team. Being around athletes my entire life has given me an enormous amount of exposure to the good and bad moments in sports. The good being an athlete playing at his/her peak with the optimum amount of biomechanical training. On the other hand, I have also had a lot of experience with injuries. I understand how important it is to prevent injuries and how urgent it is to help heal injuries.

I have found that I really enjoy the social aspect of a physical therapist’s daily schedule. I am a very outgoing person and I have a desire to meet new people every day. Being in the Frisco Independent School District for 12 years has taught me many things. In my opinion, the most important concept I've learned is that I never want to be on a routine schedule.  I never want to be in a job where I sit at my office desk all day and count the hours before it is time to clock out. I want a job where everyday is different. I want face new challenges and enjoy a new adventure each day.

Weekly Report #7

October 13th- October 20th 

This past week, I decided to change my field of study from chiropractic medicine to physical therapy. After an interview on Wednesday, the Michael Johnson Performance center has offered me an incredible opportunity to do an internship at their center in McKinney.  On Friday after school, I met with Principal Warstler and spoke to him about changing my Liberty class schedule to accommodate everything I want to get out of the MJP experience.  After volleyball season is over, in approximately 2 weeks, I will be change my schedule so I have ISM all day on A days and have my core classes on B days.   This will allow me to have an internship with a mentor physical therapist and a workout session all in the same facility on A days.  My schedule will be finalized on November 4th and I will be able to begin my internship on that date as well.   In addition, the internship will offset the cost for my workouts.  I am very excited about this incredible opportunity!

On Wednesday I worked on my topic proposal. This was challenging to do because after I met with the directors and trainers at MJP my topic of study changed. I had to research the difference between physical therapist and chiropractors. There are a few differences but in reality they are more similar than they are different.  They both help people who are in pain return to their healthy, normal activities.
-I spent approximately 4.5 hours on ISM work this week.

Weekly Report #6

October 6th- October 13th

The purpose of this week is solely to prepare for business symposium. In class we did exercises to practice networking and practice mock interviews. 

On Monday, I decided to skip lunch and work on my ISM portfolio. I put everything in order and organized it according to the rubric. On Monday evening, I called Rickey Richards. He is a very close friend with Michael Johnson of the Michael Johnson Performance Center in Allen. I set up appointment to meet with Rickey Richards on Wednesday, October 15th, at 8:30 am who will then introduce me to Mr. Johnson. Hopefully, this meeting will go well and I will be able to meet the head physical therapist along with Mr. Johnson. On Wednesday, I worked on my research assessment #3. On Friday, we had the business symposium. It was fantastic! I was so comfortable talking and meeting new people. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed talking to people until the symposium came to an end. Meeting people was definitely my favorite part. Networking is similar to putting a puzzle together.  Everyone has a piece of information and it is my job to figure out how the pieces all fit together. I am very excited for our next big event!
-I spent approximately 5 hours on ISM work this week.

Weekly Report #5

September 29th - October 6th

I met with Dr. Graves for my second research interview at Graves Family Chiropractic in Frisco. He was very sweet. He is a very busy man so he did not have much time to meet. Luckily, I was able to ask questions that he could offer a lot of information, making the best use of his time. He offered me a job working in his practice, possibly to help file papers. He was not entirely sure what the job would be, but it would allow me to be in the office and observe as well as work.  Unfortunately, I do not think I will be able to take the job. With my schedule completely preoccupied with academics and volleyball, adding a job to the equation would not be a smart move. This Thursday we were told to bring supplies to set up our portfolios in class. Mr. Wysong pushed the due date until next class.  I believe this is so everyone has a chance to gather all their things. We also got our due schedule for the second six weeks and I am happy to report, I have completed many of the assignments already. By completing two research interviews and writing the reports, I feel like I am organizing my time very efficiently.  With the business symposium coming up there will be a lot to do.  The business symposium is Friday, October 10th,  and I am very excited to meet all the professionals and develop new contacts as well as work on my interviewing skills. 
- I spent approximately 3.5 hours on ISM work this week