Hi Everyone,

 Here's some background:  I'm 30, and have a BA already.  I've always wanted to work in healthcare, and I think being a PTA would be a good fit for me.  However, I am a little apprehensive about going back to school.  At age 30, I'll probably be in class with a bunch of 18 year olds!  That being said:

Is a degree from a Community College going to be more/less respected than one from a Technical school or an ICM/Sanford Brown type institution?  None of the 4 year colleges in my area offer a PTA option.

From what I have read, the job market looks good.  I live in Western Pennsylvania, is this the case?  I have also read the average salary is $15-$22 an hour.  I know websites about salary aren't always accurate, so I wanted to go straight to the source.

I know I'll probably be working under therapists that are younger than me.  Are any of you in this situation, and how are you handling it?  Obvious I would have respect for them, but I have heard the one thing about being a PTA and being happy, is liking your PT.

Thanks in advance everyone!

I graduated from a community college a few years ago. I was 29 at the time and I wasn't much older than the youngest in the class. Most of my classmates were starting a second profession and the class was more serious and mature. Mid/late 30's was the average in my class. A PTA degree, as I know, is only available as a 2 year associate degrees from Community Colleges. There is no disrespect from that type degree, or that type college. It's a very well respected profession and everyone here knows that's how you have to get that type degree. If you are interested in healthcare and even the PTA field, shadow someone in various areas and see for yourself if its something you'd be interested in. Don't go into it looking for a paycheck, there has to be a passion or you're wasting your time. The classes are not easy and they are very structured. In my program, they try to "weed out" those only in it for the money. Physical Therapy is so much more than money. Yes, it can be good money, but you'll hate it if that's your drive. I love my career, and my patients, if a career in the PT field is for you, you'll know. Good luck!

Thanks!  There are actually a few 4 year schools in my area that offer a 2 year Associates in PTA, but the community route would be best for me, location, cost and timewise. 

How would I go about shadowing someone?  Do I just call up a PT department and ask if I can hang out for a few hours?  What about HIPPA violations?

I am a licensed massage therapist who realized after about a year of working in this field that I was not going make consistent money or be offered much in the way of benefits. Because I don't know what my paycheck will look like from week to week, planning for major future purchases, such as a house or a new car is next to impossible. I decided that I needed to go back to school and I chose a PTA program. I am 36 and was a little fearful as well, but much to my surprise my classmates are a broad range of age groups. Salaries in this field depending on what you decide to do can go beyond $22 an hour. I know a woman who has been a PTA for 30 years and she does home health care and she makes six figures a year. Hope this helps good luck!!!!

Just ask. Most places have policies in place for such requests. Its a requirement for the PTA programs here, you have to have a certain number of shadow hours before you can apply. Hope this helps.

Go for it! I'm in PTA school after 2 other careers. At 58 y.o. I may be the oldest in class but most of my classmates are over 30 and at least 4 in their 50s. Just think, you could decide to not do it then ten years later find yourself, at 40, saying, "if only".

The best bet is to contact people already in the field. Ask employers or working therapists if there is a difference. I went back to school for PTA too and it was strange going from a University to a College (that advertises on television none the less) but when I talked to people in the field they all told me where the "good schools" were.