PTA Q&A: PTA student Tim Murray

PTA student Tim Murray poses in the PTA Lab.

Below, Kellogg Community College Physical Therapist Assistant student Tim Murray, 35, of Urbandale, answers some questions about why he chose the PTA Program at KCC.

Why did you choose to study PTA?

I chose the PTA Program because I love interacting and helping people.

Why did you choose to study PTA specifically at KCC?

The instructors were one of the biggest reasons. I had met with two other schools and neither of them had instructors who seemed as dedicated to their students as KCC.

What’s your favorite part of the KCC PTA Program and why?

Learning new modalities and other techniques to help alleviate pain easily has been my favorite. Cementing in knowledge from anatomy and physiology has also been very rewarding.

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned in the PTA Program at KCC?

Stretching techniques. It doesn’t sound like much, but competing in athletics all the way into my early college years, I’d never been taught these specific and incredibly beneficial stretches.

What is your goal after you graduate from KCC? What do you hope to do for a career?

My goal is to become a traveling PTA to travel the U.S. and practice everything I’ve been learning.

What advice do you have for current or future KCC PTA students?

Don’t put too much pressure on yourselves to rush and pick a future/career for yourself. You have plenty of time.

Anything else you’d like to say?

Go Bruins!

Physical Therapist Assistant Program applications are due April 4! See details at kellogg.edu/pta-admissions.