Job Help/Unsure of Future
Hi everyone! I recently graduated with my Master's in Exercise Physiology and Health Promotion, (graduated with my undergrad in kinesiology last year) and I'm genuinely excited about the field- but I'm hitting a wall figuring out my next step, and I'd love some honest input.
A few things I'm navigating:
- A lot of EP roles want a certification I don't currently hold, so I've been coming up short on job applications despite the degree.
- I left my last job (personal training) because of a pretty toxic environment- and honestly, I realized PT itself just isn't for me, even though I'm certified through that gym's program.
- I've been considering PA school (sports medicine track), but I'm short 3 prereqs and would need to work as an MA first- and I'm not sure how I feel about the role so if anyone has any experience pls let me know. (also it costs money to get a cert as an MA- and im getting broke)
- I've also got my eye on some totally different paths- sonography, vet tech, maybe LPN- but from what I'm seeing, LPN pay in FL is pretty low, so I'm trying to weigh that realistically.
- I'll be honest: earning potential matters a lot to me right now. I'd love to end up somewhere close to six figures eventually, so I'm trying to factor that into which path actually makes sense long-term.
- I'm also just tired- I just came out of a master's program and I'm feeling pretty burnt out, so part of me wants a clear direction I can commit to instead of bouncing between options.
- DPT was my original goal but I just dont think that it is right for me after shadowing and working as an intern with many different physical therapists.
Basically: I have a lot of interests and options, which I know is a good problem to have, but I'm unemployed right now, feeling the clock ticking, and honestly a bit drained- which makes it hard to think clearly about the right long-term move vs. just the fastest one.
If anyone has been in a similar spot- whether you pivoted out of EP, went the PA/MA route, or jumped into something like sonography- I'd genuinely appreciate hearing how you figured it out, especially if earning potential and burnout factored into your decision too. Trying to make a smart decision, not just a fast one.
Please dont be mean. Thanks for reading.