Student Tori Jones ’21 has been interested in science since high school and knew she wanted to be in the health field. The avid athlete spent most of her formative years around teammates with sports injuries and found herself called to a career where she could help others. This spring, she will graduate with a bachelor’s in biology along with a newly created minor in public health. Recently, she was accepted into Trine University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), becoming the first Holy Cross College student to attend a physical therapy school program directly after undergrad.
“After my sophomore year, I knew 100% I wanted to pursue a career in physical therapy. There are not many physical therapy schools in Indiana, but I knew I wanted to stay local. Trine interested me for many reasons. The first being that my fiancé lives in Fort Wayne where the program is located which means I would be close to him. Another reason I was drawn to Trine University is because of its reputation. Many therapists I shadowed praised how well-educated Trine students were. The program is big on professionalism which I think is a key trait to have in a career. I did a school tour in early 2020 and felt very welcomed like everyone was family,” said Jones who will begin classes in August 2021. “The program itself is a 3-year, full-time program where there is a summer, fall, and spring semester.”
A strong foundation
“Holy Cross has provided me with life skills that I can integrate into my future career. Being a small liberal arts college, Holy Cross College has helped me build close relationships with my peers as well as the staff. I have become open-minded to all types of backgrounds, and am no longer afraid to speak my mind. The liberal arts education has taught me how to interact with others, especially people different from me, and understand that the world is not just about work. Having the spiritual knowledge to care for others, as well as our environment, has formed me into a well-rounded person. Most of my science courses have helped me develop strong problem-solving skills that can be used in my everyday life. The biggest skill I have developed from Holy Cross College is the ability to adapt based on my changing environment,” said Jones.
“Over the past four years, there has been a lot of change in the science department, and being open to new things as well as evaluating the old has helped me evolve. Since I am a part of the third graduating class in the science department, I feel a sense of responsibility for the growth of the program. This responsibility has given me the confidence to show that my educational success at Holy Cross College has an impact. This is a sense of confidence I plan to take to grad school. I know my impact is small, but it influences others in the future. I am lucky to be a part of the growth here, and I want to keep that growth going somewhere else. All my experiences at Holy Cross College have properly prepared me to feel confident about the next steps to my education/career,” she continued.
The future
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes the employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 18 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for physical therapy is expected to come from aging baby boomers, who are not only staying active later in life but are susceptible to health conditions, such as strokes, that may require physical therapy. Also, physical therapists will be needed to treat people with mobility issues stemming from chronic conditions, such as diabetes or obesity.
“I am looking forward to my next journey in life, and I am very blessed to have had the opportunity to get my undergrad at Holy Cross College. I am not sure what my future will look like after physical therapy school, but I plan to keep my eyes and ears open for any opportunity that arises,” notes Jones.
Pictured is student Tori Jones ’21, captain of the Notre Dame Women’s Rugby team.
Pictured is Tori Jones ’21 in the College Rugby Championship 7s match in Philadelphia.
Tori Jones ’21 at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California.
Photos provided by the Notre Dame Women’s Rugby team.