This portfolio is my final project for my Professional Practice course and is meant to be a reflection of my graduate career at Carroll University. Throughout the portfolio I will go into detail regarding specific examples of work which I believe to highlight some of the most significant learning opportunities from my time at Carroll. It is through these experiences that I learned to be an effective physical therapist, and I look forward to what lies ahead.

Through the Eyes of a Pioneer

As one of Wisconsin's oldest universities, it is only appropriate that Carroll University's mascot is a pioneer. And as a student, I can identify very closely with the spirit of the pioneer. As a student, everything is new and exactly what lies ahead is often unknown. Learning is the key to survival in the academic setting, much as it was when traversing a new environment. However, I have learned to adapt and refine both my understanding and skill performance after various courses and clinical experiences. After all of this, it feels as though the clinic has become my second home and I am excited to establish myself as a clinician in the field of physical therapy. A more detailed description of my clinical experiences can be found in my resume linked below. 

Challenge as an Opportunity for Growth

I love to be challenged. This is both in academia and in my personal life. I had been an athlete for as long as I can remember prior to my last day of high school softball. Exercise is an important component of both my physical and mental health, and I saw much benefit from challenging myself through sports. Therefore, after my era of competitive sports had come to an end, I naturally searched for something to fill the gap. It was then that I discovered backpacking. Pictured below is my first (and only thus far secondary to CoVID-19) backpacking trip on the Colorado Trail. After 3.5 days, 3 nights, 3 consistent water sources, 28 miles, and a 2,500ft elevation gain that was repeated over multiple days, there was much time for both challenge and self-discovery. This experience changed my perspective on challenge in that it is through the greatest challenges that you experience the most profound personal growth. During a challenging time, it is easy to focus on the negatives - aching feet, burning quadriceps, and a heavy backpack. However, if you focus too much on the negatives, you miss the beauty of the view. Challenge is not a distraction or a negative necessity of life. Rather, challenge is an opportunity for growth and I am constantly looking to use those experiences for personal improvement.