Getting to Know You: Cameron Chase
Cameron Chase — Kinesiology
Minor: Psychology
Home: Sequim, WA
Year: Junior
Who, or what, influenced your decision to pursue this degree?
My decision to pursue a degree in kinesiology came from two factors. One was my passion to become a physical therapist, and a lot of learning about rehabilitation and kinesiology overlapped. The second was my love for soccer, which ultimately turned into my love of human movement and how everything interacts together. Kinesiology is one of the subjects that I find super interesting, and I find myself studying it outside of my current coursework. This is because I’m very curious about how one variable will interact with another and how I can apply this to real life situations.
What appeals to you most in this field?
Going back to my experience with shadowing a physical therapist, one of the most rewarding things about the field of physical therapy is the ability to help others. It’s a great gift to be able to give someone the ability to walk without a cane that they’ve needed for years or to simply walk around the neighborhood in the morning without any pain. Being able to contribute to the rehabilitation process of others is amazing, and to be able to provide a positive effect through this field is what I like most.
What is your dream job after college?
To become a physical therapist.
Have you had any experience in this area, such as an internship?
I have been shadowing a physical therapist in my hometown since 2015 and have learned a lot about the field through this experience. He has taught me a lot through observation and explanations of the rehabilitation process. Two of the biggest takeaways from shadowing I have learned are experience is the best teacher and every patient is different and must be approached with an open mind.
What, or who, motivates you as a student?
I think a big part of my motivation as a student comes from the ability to grow and learn from each experience with and without failure. My family is also a big part of my life, and with the unconditional support from them I continue to strive to be the best student and person I can be.
Favorites:
- Sport: Soccer
- Movie: Step Brothers
- Book: The Hot Zone
- Artist: Maroon 5
- Food: Eggs Benedict
- Quote: “The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent.” -Arnold Schwarzenegger