Graduation season is upon us and I’ve had the pleasure to speak with many new graduates about their job search. Although hopeful about their future careers, many have concerns about money; some even more so than their career. I’ve noticed that many begin the job search asking, “What job pays the most?” With high student loan rates coupled with a high cost of living, a new graduate can’t help but think about their financial position in society.
As recruiters, it’s our job to figure out exactly what the new graduate is looking for in their first position. We find that some new graduates want to make a great deal of money and are shocked about the salary. They request to find jobs that pay more so they can pay off loans and enjoy life as high income earners. Many are concerned with getting rid of debt right away and for some it may seem like an impossible feat… but it’s not! Realistic expectations and great planning can move you in the right direction to demolishing your student loan debt.
Loan repayment takes patience and a realistic approach. There are many avenues to loan repayment and forgiveness for therapists. If you did not take advantage of an incentive scholarship program through an employer, there are still options available after graduation. Certain loans qualify for debt repayment so look into what types of loans you have and what programs you qualify for. The APTA and AOTA websites have great resources for loan repayment programs.
http://www.apta.org/DebtManagement/FederalOpportunities/
http://www.aota.org/education-careers/find-school/aid/loan-forgiveness.aspx
Also, I am no expert but I do know Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman created strict but simple plans for debt demolishing that actually work! I encourage you to check them out.
If these options don’t work for you then I would consider travel for work. If you don’t mind change and are open to exploring different settings and geographic locations, then travel might be a fit for you! Can you imagine not having to worry about paying rent and utilities? Travel allows you to earn a competitive wage, experience, and work in different settings while your living and transportation expenses get paid for. This is a great way to save money to go towards demolishing student loan debt.
Finally, think about why you became a therapist. This is the time you look at the bigger picture! Yes it is important to earn income from the career you chose but if money is your main focus, you could miss the reason why you became a therapist in the first place! I am not saying that you should not ensure your income is enough to cover your expenses but it’s important to find the intrinsic value in what you do. I was once told to, “Love what you do and the rest will come to you”. I truly believe that when you take time to value the career you chose and focus on being the best therapist you can be, ideal opportunities will come to you.
Kelechi Onyeuku joined Aureus Medical in 2014 as a Recruiter and recently took the position as Student Outreach Coordinator in the Rehab Therapy Division. Kelechi was born and raised in Omaha, NE. If she is not traveling for work she enjoys catching a flight to visit friends and family. She plans on visiting Nigeria soon to visit family! In her spare time she is working on a documentary called “Red Lip Memoirs”.