Student Spotlight: Shannon Smithson

Shannon Smithson plans to turn her passion for athletics into a career helping others recover from injuries. That's why she's working hard to succeed in Onondaga Community College's Physical Therapist Assistant degree program. "It's really demanding. You have to maintain a certain GPA. I'm studying all of the time. It's not a program you can cram. You have to take it in small increments."

Athletics have always been a significant part of Smithson's life. As a student at East Syracuse Minoa High School she played soccer, basketball, and softball. Before deciding to become a part of OCC's PTA program, she earned a degree in Kinesiology at Sam Houston State in Texas. Kinesiology is the study of physical activity and how the body's movement impacts health, well being, and quality of life.

While her days playing team sports are behind her, Smithson stays active by getting up regularly at 5 a.m. and working out. On days when her workout includes an early morning run her Boston Terrier, Nicki, is by her side. 

Staying fit has helped her get through a rigorous academic and extracurricular schedule. Outside class she's serving the campus community as a member of Student Government. And at the beginning of the fall semester she started a 6-week clinical at SUNY Upstate's Community Hospital campus. "I was doing anything from acute care to orthopedic to Covid to general medicine to rehab. I honestly never thought I would like the hospital setting until clinical. I get to see it all there and I get to stay busy which I like."

Smithson will begin another clinical in December at an outpatient facility. After she earns her degree next May, she'll do another clinical at St. Joseph's hospital. "My goals are to graduate, pass my boards, and work in this field helping people because that's my passion."