Cassandra Rivera

Background

About Cassandra Rivera

I never intended to go to college. Nobody in my family had ever received any education after high school and I always assumed that I would be the same. That idea remained true for the majority of my early adulthood until I met a very special person who was a resident at the nursing home where I worked as a cook. One day, I was devastated to find out that my favorite resident, called Annie, had a stroke but I was even more devastated when she returned from her lengthy hospital stay, a completely different person. The once lively and bright pianist was now wheelchair bound and unable to even feed herself. From that day on, I promised myself that I would do something more with my life and find a way to help these elderly people that I cared so dearly for. Soon after, I enrolled at my local university and began my education in the field of Kinesiology on a pre-physical therapy track. Though I faced many challenges as a non-traditional student, I ultimately excelled in most of my studies and proudly graduated with honors. I plan to continue with my passion in the study of human anatomy by applying and hopefully being accepted into a physical therapy program.I want to utilize my education to contribute to my community and give back in any way that I can; whether that be in a rehabilitation setting or even in an educational setting. Though I do recognize that a large part of my previous work experience is in the food industry, I am motivated and excited to venture away from that field and secure a position in which I can apply what I've learned through my area of study and work towards my full potential.