This post is long overdue but better late than never! CSM 2020 was February 12th-15th. It was in the beautiful Denver, Colorado, and let me tell you, this was one of the best trips I’ve ever been on. This was my first time visiting Colorado, and I had such a great time exploring, meeting new people (some of the BEST in the field), and nerding out over my favorite PT things.
For those of you who don’t know what Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) is, it is the largest physical therapy conference in the country! Conferences (especially CSM) are huge in the PT world, and this year 18,000+ PTs, PTAs, and students all came together for a week of education and networking! Official conference events are usually held for three days, but the whole week was full of lots of things to do!
I had such an amazing time networking/meeting new people, learning, eating, and even dancing. I took SO many notes on my phone during educational sessions about things that really stood out to me, so I figured I’d spread the wealth with y’all! Enjoy my brain dump of CSM takeaways (:
- Understanding Diversity vs. Inclusion
- Understanding Equality vs. Equity
- Diversity, oppression, and access issues go from an individual to a systemic level—but you can make a change in all 3 levels
- Mentorship vs. Professional Coach (VERY different)
- Be humble!!! Your DPT is not the same as real clinical experience—have realistic expectations
- Graduating and passing the NPTE isn’t a special skill…think outside the box about what you can bring to the table (think about YOUR special skills)
- Always negotiate (never take first offer)—but do your homework!
- Staff vs. Management level (pay attention to job description)
- Develop your elevator speech: 30 seconds, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, and in layman’s terms
- PT setting matters: understand patient type, pay, and team vs. lone therapist
- Travel vs. local: are you expected to be the workhorse without grace or mentorship (more money but is it worth it?)
- Money DOES NOT = HAPPINESS—don’t just take a job to pay off loans
- Health Leads = social needs screening toolkit
- Micro-aggressions and responding appropriately; micro-affirmations
- Figure out student loans BEFORE applying for a job
- Therapeutic alliance is so important—maybe have a long in-take form to funnel/hone in on the evaluation
- Residency vs. Direct Employment
- Communication: know your style (DISC, Myers, enneagram)
- Know your strengths and weaknesses (they can be similar)
- Be honest in your job interview
- If someone discusses something in an interview, get it in writing in your job offer/contract
- Pelvic health is very orthopedic based
- Stay involved
- Learn how to adapt
- When networking: 2 up, 2 down, 2 sideways
- 2 up: people “above” you or in a position you aspire to be in (ex: practicing clinicians)
- 2 down: people “below” you (ex: for me pre-PTs)
- 2 sideways: peers (ex: other PT students)
- Follow up with people, be annoying
- If you never ask the question, the answer is always no
- Give yourself the permission to change, be kind to yourself
- Self-reflect and trust your gut
- Find your passions! Mine:
- Helping minority students/underrated populations get into and navigate PT school
- Creating
- Children, women’s rights, equality, diversity, and inclusion
- Serving underserved populations
- Advocacy for profession
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