This first‑person essay is based on a conversation with Krystal Pulaski, a 24‑year‑old physical therapy assistant living in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and has been edited for length and clarity.
Pulaski earned a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology in May 2023 and completed an Associate of Applied Science degree in January 2025. After passing the National Physical Therapy Examination in April 2025, she began applying for physical therapy assistant positions across Texas, targeting any role she felt suited her. Within about three weeks, offers started arriving.
She received several offers, including one from a skilled nursing facility paying roughly $30 an hour and another from an outpatient clinic offering about $26 an hour. Pulaski accepted the higher‑paying position in San Marcos, Texas, and began work in May 2025.
Healthcare wasn’t always on her radar. A former soccer player, she originally planned to enlist in the military after college. That trajectory shifted after she underwent physical therapy for a series of injuries, beginning with a meniscus tear sustained during a semi‑pro soccer training session in summer 2020. Experiencing the impact of PT firsthand — regaining strength, function, confidence, and independence — inspired her to pursue a career where she could provide the same hope and support to others.
While preparing for her fourth major knee surgery, Pulaski applied for jobs despite knowing she would be non‑weight‑bearing for six weeks post‑operation. The timing made her search feel uncertain, especially as classmates secured positions quickly. She weighed waiting until fully recovered against applying now and seeking employers willing to accommodate her recovery.
She chose to disclose her situation during interviews. One interview occurred a week before surgery, another the day before, and a third the Monday after. Pulaski told hiring managers she was ready to contribute as much as possible while non‑ambulatory and would need six weeks off weight‑bearing. Some managers required an immediate start, which she understood, but others offered flexibility — allowing her to begin a few weeks post‑surgery or to wait until she could walk again.
Pulaski believes her candor helped secure multiple offers, as employers who value transparency were more willing to work with her constraints. The role she ultimately selected offered the best work‑life balance: a flexible schedule starting at 6:30 a.m., with the ability to leave once her patient load is complete, typically no later than 4 p.m. The clinic’s vibrant atmosphere and diverse, complex cases also appealed to her, providing continual learning opportunities.
Commute length was another decisive factor; other offers would have required long drives through heavy traffic, which would have eroded her quality of life. Although the other positions had merits, the chosen job combined higher pay, manageable travel, and scheduling flexibility.
Starting her career while navigating a personal health challenge was nerve‑racking, yet it reinforced that she had chosen the right field. Physical therapy demands lifelong learning, with each patient presenting unique challenges that keep the work engaging and growth‑oriented.
About a year into her first role, Pulaski sought a position closer to her boyfriend in Pennsylvania. She began a new physical therapy assistant job at an outpatient clinic in Greensburg in August. The transition has been busy, but she is eager to further develop her skills, build patient relationships, and embark on the next chapter of her career.