u/chaotically_yours_

I'm a new grad and currently job hunting. There are a few companies that I've applied to and gotten responses from with enough interest to want me to tour their local clinics where I might work. I've already been to two clinics and wasn't particularly floored, mostly due to equipment (no leg press, knee curl/extension, cable column) and lack of private evaluation rooms (each office had one room available but I was told they hardly use them). Aside from steering clear of mills, what were your non-negotiable deal breakers when looking for that first job out of PT school?

I recently moved from Virginia to California and discovered there are no Fresh Markets out here. Their bourbon salmon filets were a go-to comfort food for me. I reached out to them to see if they could just provide me with the recipe for the marinade but evidently its proprietary. Has anyone successfully duplicated it and would like to share?

This post is for any DPT who is currently working or who has previously worked in the northeast US (New England, New York, maybe even Jersey and Pennsylvania), what were your experiences like in terms of compensation, caseload, advancement, etc. I'm originally from Connecticut, currently permanently residing in California but doing travel PT in OP for right now and I keep having that urge to just go home, I just don't know how financially feasible that might be.

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Edit: I'm not built for city life, more interested in rural communities.

Edit to the edit: the plan is to make the shift northeast in about 2 years time. Super happy to network but wouldn't be able to make the move until then due to a contractual agreement.

I took the July NPTE and didn't pass. I'm planning to take the next exam but was wanting to know what anyone else in this situation is doing for work in between? I'm really struggling to make ends meet.