Student Success Statement

    Student Success Statement
"There is no giant step that does it. It's a lot of little steps." 
                                           ANON

Recreational Therapist

                     Recreational Therapist

Duties and Responsibilities: Recreational therapists work in a variety of settings. Therapists often work in hospitals or nursing and residential care facilities. They also work in places such as substance abuse centers, rehabilitation centers, special education departments, and parks and recreation departments.

They may use offices for planning or other administrative activities, such as patient assessment, but may travel when working with patients. Therapists and their patients go to fields and parks for sports and other outdoor activities.

Some therapists may spend a lot of time on their feet actively working with patients. Recreational therapists also may need to physically assist patients or lift heavy objects such as wheelchairs.

Salary: $42,280

Education: Most Recreational therapist need a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy or a related field. Though less common, associate’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees are also available.

Recreational therapy programs include courses in assessment, human anatomy, medical and psychiatric terminology, characteristics of illnesses and disabilities, and the use of assistive devices and technology. Bachelor’s degree programs usually include an internship.

Student Success Statement

 Student Success Statement
"Right is right, even if everyone is against it; and wrong is wrong even if everyone is for it."
                             William Penn

Thoracic Surgeon

                    Thoracic Surgeon

Duties and Responsibilities: Specializing in surgical procedures related to the chest, thoracic surgeons are some of the remarkably few people who can say they have held someone's heart in their hands -- literally. These medical professionals undergo many years of education and rigorous training to prepare them for a career in the operating room -- often working long, irregular hours on their feet. A thoracic surgeon's job is far from easy, but the career may appeal to those who enjoy helping others and love working under pressure.

Salary: $350,000 per year

Education: Becoming a thoracic surgeon requires 13 to 16 years of education and training, beginning with a bachelor's degree. Students may pursue a degree in any area they desire, though premedical studies and biology are the most commonly chosen. After earning a bachelor's degree, students go on to attend medical school, which involves another four years of education. The first two years of medical school are usually devoted to laboratory and classroom instruction, while the final two years are spent completing clinical rotations in common medical specialties. Upon finishing medical school, aspiring thoracic surgeons enter a five-year residency program in general surgery, followed by a year-long residency in cardiothoracic surgery. During residency training, surgeons gain experience working with patients and learning surgical techniques from experienced surgeons. They observe thoracic surgical procedures, and eventually they have the opportunity to scrub in and assist in the operating room. Residency training is where a thoracic surgeon will gain most of the knowledge and skills he needs to properly do his job in a career where his knowledge and abilities can mean the difference between life and death for his patients.

Student Success Statement

    Student Success Statement

  "Let us have faith that right makes right, and in that faith let us to the end dare to do our duty as we understand it."

                                   Abraham Lincoln

Reflection: Abraham Lincoln was a wise man of great intelligence he always did what he had to to and did what he felt he had to do.