After high school.

After high school ended, I didn’t know what program I wanted to study in. Do I go in a nature’s science or in a physiotherapy technology?

Choice 1 : Natural Science program.

Choice 2 : Physiotherapy technology.

Natural Science program.

I chose the Natural Science program! After my first year in the program I realized that I absolutely hated all of my classes. I didn't make any friends, I was always alone, and I really didn't like my life. Should I push through it or should I reconsider everything and choose another path?

Choice 1 : Push through it.

Choice 2 : Reconsider everything and chose another path.

Physiotherapy technology.

I chose the physiotherapy technology!! I finished my degree in 4 years, and I absolutely loved it. Now comes the hard choices. Should I chose to start working directly in the field as a physiotherapy technologist or should I continue my studies at a University and become a physiotherapist?

Choice 1 : Become a physiotherapy technologist.

Choice 2 : Continue my studies and become a physiotherapist.

Become a physiotherapy technologist.

I decided to become a physiotherapy technologist! I officially graduated cegep and now all I have to do is chose where do I want to work. I always wanted to work in rehabilitation center or in a sports team. Unfortunately sports team in my area are only looking for a physiotherapist not physiotherapy technologists. My other choice was to work in a post-operation center. Should I go in rehab or post-op?

Choice 1 : Go in rehab.

Choice 2 : Go in post-op.

Continue my studies and become a physiotherapist.

I decided to continue my studies to become a physiotherapist! Now I have to choose in which university do I want to major in? I have three main choices: McGill University, that is close to my house but is really hard to get into, University of Toronto, that is pretty far from my house but is well-known for it’s physiotherapy program, or go to the University of Delaware in the United States.

Choice 1 : Go to McGill university.

Choice 2 : Go to the University of Toronto.

Choice 3 : Go to the University of Delaware in the United States.

Push through it.

I decided to push through it. The last year in my program was so hard because I really didn’t want to do this, and I was so depressed from having no friends and never going out. I still made it out though! I got my diploma and even if the last 2 years were the worst of my life, I was proud of myself. Now I had to choose to go to a university in Montreal at McGill, close to my home, or go to the University of Toronto where I knew one of the programs I was interested in, which is physiotherapy, was well-known.

Choice 1 : Go to McGill university.

Choice 2 : Go to the University of Toronto.

Reconsider everything and chose another path.

I reconsidered all of my life choices, and I decided to take a year off to cool off my system and get to know myself better so that I could greatly choose what I really wanted to do. I became an intern at an office, received OTJ (on-the-job-training) and at first I was a little overwhelmed because I had to learn the ropes of the job, and it was a lot. I eventually got used to it and learned that even if it were hard all of the information I learned about the job comes in handy later on. I finally had a steady job that I more or so liked. After a year, I asked myself if I should go back to school or if I should just continue working at my job and climb the ladder.

Choice 1 : Go back to school.

Choice 2 : Continue working at my current job.

Go in rehab.

I went in rehab! I got hired at a hospital close that isn’t very far away from my house. Everything that I learned was put into practice here it was so interesting! My coworkers were super nice with me and the hospital really felt like a little family. After 1 year at the hospital I knew that that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. The patients were difficult yes but also lovely and seing them get better because of what I recommended them to do just brought a sense of accomplishment that I never felt before. I absolutely loved my job and was right where I wanted to be. THE END.

Choice 1 : Home page

Go in post-op.

I went in post-op! The hospital I got hired in wasn’t very far from my house so that was a plus! After a few weeks of working in post-op, my excitement slowly turned into dread. My manager started making flirtatious comments that slowly became sexual harassment. HR told me to report the perpetrator, but I was worried about threats and losing my position at the hospital. I really needed this job because my family depended on me to pay a part of their mortgage. I worked overtime every week, and I was always exhausted. One night, I sat alone in the office, staring at the report form. I could report the misconduct and risk everything or stay silent and keep the job.

Choice 1 : Report and risk everything.

Choice 2 : Stay silent.

Go to McGill university.

I went to McGill University! This University is the most well-know University in Canada, so I was super excited to go study there. For the first semester it was a little hard because I had to get used to the workload of the University. I really wanted straight A's, so I had to push even harder. It was really maddening to see all of my classmates have good grades because I was struggling so much with studying. I could continue to dedicate myself to studying hard and accept the heavy workload, or I could reduce my course load and take more time to balance my life and interests.

Choice 1 : Dedicate myself.

Choice 2 : Reduce my course load.

Go to the University of Toronto.

I opted for the University of Toronto! I think it was a great choice considering that it is well-known for my program. It was a far away from my house, but I visited my family once every two weekend, so it was bearable. I still have a choice to do though and that is if I should go in post-operation or in rehabilitation?

Choice 1 : Go in post-op.

Choice 2 : Go in rehab.

Go to the University of Delaware in the United States.

I went to the University of Delaware and I didn’t like it at all! I was way too far from my family and living in a dorm with a roommate was just not for me. Everything was different I had no friends, no car, no job, no nothing basically. Please start again!

Choice 1 : Start again

Stay silent.

I decided to stay silent and keep the job and at first nothing changed, I still got paid, and I still helped my family with the mortgage. Unfortunately the misconduct just got worse. My manager knew I wasn’t going to report him, so the comments became more humiliating. I started dreading work every morning. I worked overtime to avoid losing my position, but the job felt like pure drudgery. Months later, I realized that I completely lost my sense of fulfillment. I hated my job, which made me hate my life. I reconsidered if I made the right choice and if I should’ve even chosen this career path. Please choose again the right path.

Choice 1 : Choose again

Go back to school.

I went back to school but this time I chose to go in a physical therapy program! With my year off I realized that I really liked helping people and that is what I wanted to do in the future. I also realized that is needed human contact in my job to like it and what is better for human contact that physical therapy? After 3 years I graduated from cegep and now I have to choose between becoming a physiotherapy technologist or continue my studies to become a physiotherapist.

Choice 1 : Become a physiotherapy technologist.

Choice 2 : Continue my studies and become a physiotherapist.

Continue working at my current job.

I decided to continue working at my current job which was just a dead-end job. Everyday was the same: long hours, boring tasks, and endless drudgery. I eventually found a routine that I liked and the job wasn't so bad. The hours were less long, the tasks were less boring, and my job was just more bearable. The wage was steady, and it made me feel secure. After 2 years of working for the company I started noticing a lack of excitement in my routine. I was good at what I did, and I could always pull off whatever was asked of me, but I wanted more than just a paycheck. I wanted a work with more purpose, something that felt more meaningful and worthwhile. I thought about what could come next. I could continue learning the ins-and-outs of the company and grow slowly, or I could use my skills to find a fresh opportunity.

Choice 1 : Continue learning and grow slowly.

Choice 2 : Find a fresh opportunity.

Continue learning and grow slowly.

I chose to stay! Over time, my managers began to notice how reliable I was, and the expereince I gained made me more confident in my work. A promotion might take time, but staying could eventually give me stability, stronger skills, and the chance to grow into a better position. THE END.

Choice 1 : Home page

Find a fresh opportunity.

I chose to leave, I walked out thinking that I am finally moving towards something better. At first, I felted relieved, almost proud of myself for taking the risk. But once the excitement was gone I realized that I was really uncertain of what I was doing. I found out that it was actually really hard to find something new. The savings I set aside were starting to run low, and I was running out of time. I begin to question if leaving was the right choice at all. The experience I had wasn't enough, no office near me had job opening, and I couldn't just move out of my apartment either. I lost my car my apartment, everything because I couldn't pay the bills. I ended up homeless. Please start again.

Choice 1 : Start again.

Dedicate myself.

I dedicated myself but the workload was just too much. Most of my classes like anatomy, biology and physiology, were just about learning information by heart. Just to give a few examples, I had to know all of the ergonomics of every position, I had to know what anterior and posterior is, I had to learn what a contraction is and all of the different contractions a muscle can do, I had to learn the difference between extension and flexion, the difference between inflammation and swelling, what a scoliosis is, anyway it was just a lot, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I wanted to change University but where should I go? Should I go to the University of Toronto or at the University of Delaware which is in the United States.

Choice 1 : Go to the University of Toronto.

Choice 2 : Go to the University of Delaware.

Reduce my course load.

I decided to reduce my course load and take time to balance my life and interests. I got to learn about all of the bones and muscles in the body. I also learned that our body is full of nerves, ligaments, and tendons. The whole world also studies the body from a specific position that is called the anatomical position. Anyway I learned a lot in that program and reducing my course load really helped me retain all of the information. I am now a licensed physiotherapist, and I am working with athletes. THE END.

Choice 1 : Return to home page.

Report and risk everything.

I finally reported the misconduct to HR. I was terrified at first, worried about his threats and losing my vacant position. The investigation was stressful, and some coworkers even avoided me but after a few weeks my manager was fired. Other employees quietly thanked me because they had experienced the same sexual harassment but were too afraid to speak up. For the first time in months, I no longer dreaded going to work. I realized that although reporting the misconduct was difficult, it was worthwhile. I kept my dignity, protected others, and found a new sense of fulfillment. THE END.

Choice 1 : Home page.