A year has passed since I started writing these blogs and in the process, I’ve had a lot of fun. I started this journey giving my opinion to a common question, and it’s the same question that I am continuously asked at fairs, online or on the phone….should new graduates travel? Since it’s been a year, I thought we would revisit this inquiry and provide readers with a summary of points to consider.
When I first broached this subject, I looked at what motivated new graduates to even want to travel. Was it money, excitement of travel, learning at different settings, or all of the above? The motivators will be different for each person and as I said before, you need to figure out what those are. I can’t tell you if travel is right for you, but I can probably give you a good indicator. There are naysayers out there who will tell you that all recruiters will give you only the positive about travel to lure you in. Not true! I don’t want you to travel if it’s not right for you because a) I have my reputation to protect and b) I have the professional credibility of my client and my candidate to protect. So, if you aren’t meant to travel and you are throwing red flags all around me, I (and any good recruiter) will definitely let you know. I’m not a numbers girl, I’m a results girl.
A common concern of all new graduates is whether or not they will receive proper mentorship. My answer is the same as it was before and it’s a yes with a big emphasis on if you have a great relationship with your recruiter. Your recruiter should be able to identify your needs and relay them to your potential employer. Quite frankly, not all matches are perfect and it’s our job to make sure that both the therapist and the facility are happy. Aureus Medical offers a unique benefit to new graduates by having moi, a Student Outreach Coordinator. I essentially advocate for you to our very own recruiters and make sure that an ideal travel match is made. My job is to inform you as to where you are most likely to find jobs, ensure your understanding of the licensure process, and to help with other areas such as interviewing. Good mentoring is an important factor in being a successful traveler, so make sure you are working with a company who trusts that their clients understand this necessity.
Location is a big motivator in deciding to travel and one that I’ve seen in the last year to be the most difficult for new graduates to grasp. Several new graduates like the idea of traveling but when asked where they want to go, they pick their hometown or the most desirable locations in the United States. Even when we tell the new graduate that the odds are low for you to find a position in these locations, the therapist will hold on with all of his/her might. When weeks go by and jobs are given to more seasoned therapists (if one happens to open up), then reality hits and the new graduate decides to consider other options. First of all, if you want to travel and pick your hometown, you are probably not ready to be a traveling therapist. I would suggest working in a facility for a good six months to a year and then try an assignment somewhere within your home state or a neighboring one. Deciding whether to travel or take a full-time job in your area of interest really depends on the need coupled with how flexible you are. Keep in mind, whether for travel or direct hire, the amount of need varies based on setting so be flexible if location is your top priority. Recruiters are the subject matter experts on the job search so use their expertise to your advantage.
Pay is, and always will be, a driving motivator for those wanting to travel for various reasons such as student loans, car payments, vacations, etc. Common to new travelers is the search for big bucks, to a point where you may make poor decisions. Traveling, in general, will give you more money, that’s one of the reasons why people do it. However, if you are not careful, you could be lured into taking positions just for the money and end up in trouble. Some agencies will throw out high non-taxed reimbursements with very low taxed wages to bring you in, but realize that there are penalties to this. Making below what a therapist normally would make taxed can throw up red flags so make sure you are checking with IRS guidelines before taking your first assignment. Also, make sure all taxes are properly taken care of each year by meeting with an appropriate accountant. Traveltax.com is a helpful website for any traveler so check it out. I look at making ethical decisions as part of protecting my and everyone else’s professional credibility, so my advice is for you to do the same every time you take an assignment.
Travel is a fantastic way to see different places and to explore different settings. You’ll meet great people more than willing to help you, and quite often, you’ll leave with new friends. If you are curious and want to learn more, don’t hesitate to contact me. I’ll be more than happy to answer your questions and if needed, bring a dose of reality. Thank you for following my blogs this past year and I hope to hear from you!
Sunny Snook / 800.456.5857 ext 6578 / ssnook@aureusmedical.com / Facebook / LinkedIn / Twitter