What to Expect

If you want to bring a breath of fresh air to others, check out a respiratory therapy program. Students learn to help people with respiratory problems breathe easy.

Brandi Hillman took the program at Quinnipiac College in Hamden, Connecticut. She believes the clinical experience students receive in their junior and senior year of the bachelor program is critical in building skills and confidence.

"Giving treatment to a real patient with questions and concerns is much different than playing pretend with a lab partner," says Hillman.

Hillman started out in pre-med, but transferred to RT after her sophomore year. In order to transfer, she had to talk with the department chair. "It was pretty much an informal interview just so he could see what I was expecting it to be like, and so he could tell me what to expect in the way of what paperwork I needed to transfer," she says.

How to Prepare

"I definitely recommend taking physics [or] biology in high school. These classes have essential concepts for respiratory care such as gas flow principles and the basics of the respiratory system," says Hillman.

Beyond academics, Hillman feels students need to be mechanically inclined in order to troubleshoot machine problems. Good communication skills, flexibility and a sense of humor are also a must, she says.

Dennis Holland has been through an RT program and now runs a Web site for respiratory students. He suggests staying in touch with respiratory professors even while you're in high school -- let them know you're interested.

Volunteer work in the health-care field is always looked on favorably.