Student Spotlight: Yvonne Jeschke 鈥� Athlete, trainer, and future PTA
by Jessica Degnan |
Yvonne Jeschke, a physical therapist assistant student in UAA鈥檚 School of Preventive and Therapeutic Sciences, came to 麻豆无码版 from Germany on a track scholarship and earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in kinesiology with minors in nutrition and athletic training. After five years as a personal trainer, she returned to UAA to continue her passion for helping others through physical therapy. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a special feeling when a client is able to reach their short-term and long-term goals,鈥� she said.
Name: Yvonne Jeschke
Major: Physical Therapist Assistant
Anticipated graduation date: 12/13/2025
Unit: School of Preventive and Therapeutic Sciences
Hometown: Anchorage
What brought you to the UAA College of Health?:
In 2015, I came from Germany to 麻豆无码版 on a track scholarship and decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with Minors in Nutrition and Athletic Training.
I loved the welcoming environment of the College of Health, the small classroom sizes, and the hands-on classroom experiences. After 5 years of being a Personal Trainer, I decided to return to UAA and the College of Heath for further education.
Why did you choose the degree you are pursuing? What would your dream job be?:
I love helping people find their path towards a healthy and active lifestyle. Being a personal trainer for the past 5.5 years, I have developed a special interest in helping clients who have suffered from acute or chronic injuries to be pain-free again and return to walking their dogs, playing tennis, or playing with their grandchildren.
With an Associate Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant, I will be able to do exactly that as a full-time career, working under a Physical Therapist.
It's a special feeling when a client is able to reach their short-term and long-term goals!
What are you involved in on campus (IE: Clubs, student organizations, etc.)? How have they contributed to your personal and professional growth?:
During my undergraduate studies 2015-2020, I was on the UAA Track and Field Team and worked various campus jobs, ranging from being a lifeguard at the pool a to a barista in the student union.
Being a full-time student athlete with 1-2 jobs at the same time taught me how to manage my time well, set priorities, and work efficiently. I got to meet and network with many UAA faculty and staff, which helped me improve my communication skills and develop valuable relationships on a personal and professional basis.
Have you been involved with internships, practicum placements, research, study abroad, or any other experience you鈥檇 like to tell us about? Please tell us how these experiences have shaped you personally, academically, and professionally.:
During my Bachelor degree, I got to be an intern in the UAA Performance Lab for 1 semester, which offers a variety of fitness tests to UAA students, faculty, and staff, as well as the general public. This gave me the chance to put my classroom knowledge to practice and gain valuable hands-on experience.
During my current degree in Physical Therapist Assistant, I had a 1-week practicum placement in the Providence In-patient Physical Therapy department. I got to follow my clinical instructor, a UAA SPTA alumni, and learn how it's like to work in a hospital environment.
"Learning by doing" makes all the difference for a degree in the College of Heath. This experience in a real-world work setting enhanced my academic and professional knowledge beyond the classroom work.
What words of wisdom do you have for underclassmen or youth who are still considering their options after high school?:
Manage your time well!
Create schedules for when you are in class, when you do homework, and when you work, and when you have free time.
Learn how to learn!
Do you learn by reading? Writing notes during lectures on a computer or on paper? Listen to the professor and then review the material after class? Knowing how you learn best will make your studying much more efficient and effective.
What is your plan after graduation?:
After graduating with my associates degree in Physical Therapist Assistant, I get to take the NPTE-PTA test and become a certified Physical Therapist Assistant. I am looking forward to finding a job in Anchorage and start working with patients.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?:
I am a passionate runner and love to challenge myself with half-marathon and trail races every year. Depending on the season in 麻豆无码版, you can also find me mountain biking, cross country skiing, and backcountry skiing.
Besides my active hobbies, I enjoy solving German crossword puzzles.
What is your secret to college success?:
I really enjoy studying and love learning everything about what it takes to become a Physical Therapist Assistant. I cannot remember anything I am not passionate about, so my secret to college success is finding a degree you truly care about.
What was the best advice you were ever given by a professor, staff, or classmate while here at UAA?:
Use your resources!
UAA has an incredible number of resources, including a writing center, quiet individual and group study rooms in the library, nurses and counsellors at the student health center, office hours of professors, and amazingly helpful classmates.
Everyone will try their best to help you achieve your goals, you just have to reach out.