Karissa Polsom – Fall Graduation 2020

Hometown: Prince George, B.C.

Program: Master of Physical Therapy

What attracted you to your field?

I have always been an active person, and with that have struggled with varying pains and injuries over the years. It wasn’t until I spent some time with a physiotherapist for chronic hip pain that I started to fully understand how interesting and rewarding the profession can be.

I was fascinated by how much they knew about the human body and how it functions. I was also intrigued by the wide spectrum of populations and injuries physiotherapists get to be involved with — they truly get to see people in all walks of life. I knew I wanted to work in a profession that involved people, and the more time I spent looking into physiotherapy, the more I knew it was the profession I wanted to pursue.

What is your favourite UBC moment?

The people and faculty in the program are what make the experience so unforgettable. With only 80 peers and a small and mighty faculty, you get to spend countless hours laughing, growing, and learning together. By spending so much time as a collective, the cohort truly starts to feel like family as you celebrate every milestone of the program together. One of the moments I will never forget is the 2020 flash mob to welcome the incoming cohort. It acts as an excellent ice breaker for the current class to connect and welcome the new incoming class. As it turns out, physiotherapy students have some excellent rhythm!

What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?

Enjoy every second because it goes by quickly. Professional programs, like the Master of Physical Therapy program, are academically demanding and it is easy to get caught up in studying and schoolwork. It is important to take time for yourself and to take time getting to know your peers and faculty. Go to socials, form study groups, and take time to be active! Everyone is going through the same experience, and though at times it can be stressful, it was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had to date.

What do you hope will change as a result of COVID-19?

I feel as though so much has already changed since COVID-19. One of the greatest things I have noticed is how much people are able to adapt, and how connected we are able to be even through virtual means. We live in an age where connectedness is such a huge factor of daily life, and COVID-19 has truly challenged how we maintain that connection while remaining apart.

What’s next for you?

I recently accepted a job at Accelerated Sport and Spine Physiotherapy in Prince George which will allow me to continue to grow and learn as a new graduate from the program. With this opportunity, we are able to team up with the Master of Physical Therapy-North program, which allows us to work alongside students as they train to work with the University of Northern British Columbia varsity teams.