My Story.
How did I get here? How did a part-time evening receptionist job that I wasn’t even convinced I would get, turn into a full-time managerial position that I LIVE for?
Well, it definitely wasn’t a linear path. When I was 12 years old I was 6 feet tall, lanky, and awkward. Naturally, I was convinced I would attend the very prestigious institution, Julliard School of Dance.
After a few years of relentless ridicule from my mother (kidding), I abandoned my dream of plié-ing and decided I was going to become a grief counsellor. I have always loved helping people and decided I would go to University, get the skills I needed, and change people’s lives! What I didn’t take into consideration was the fact that I am the most emotionally unstable person I know. I cry at sad commercials and can’t make it through a movie without sobbing uncontrollably. I had to admit that I was not the best person to help people if I couldn’t even handle fictional trauma.
So, becoming an unbalanced grief counsellor was out of the question. I couldn’t immediately decide what to do next, so in the interim, I took a job in housekeeping.
I know the thought of cleaning people’s bathrooms for a living does not sound glamorous, and it’s not, but to be honest… I loved it! However, after a few years, I realized that I needed a change. I enrolled in a Medical Office Assistant Certificate Program, figuring that at the very least I could impress people with my knowledge of words like sphygmomanometer, electroencephalography, and tachypnea.
I finished at the top of my class and went on to do… nothing. I went right back to something that was comfortable, housekeeping. Two more years passed before my life finally took the turn that I desperately needed.
One day, somebody asked me what I was doing with my life. I confessed that I was bored to tears with what I was doing and needed a big change. She told me about a part-time reception position at a physiotherapy clinic. I was excited and immediately dropped off my resume at Easthill Physiotherapy.
I didn’t hold out much hope; I had virtually zero office experience and it had been two years since I’d finished my MOA certification. I went to an interview and within about 8 minutes of talking with the clinic owner, Judy Fullerton, I KNEW that I wanted in. Whatever I had to do to make it happen, I was going to become a part of that team. Judy felt the same way I did, because about 20 minutes into the interview, she offered me the job!
And so here I am: after 6 years, 8 months and 23 days of training, learning, changing, and HELP, I am almost unrecognizable. I am no longer that awkward, shy, emotionally unbalanced kid. I am a happy and confident office manager for two physiotherapy locations. I work with a fantastic administrative team and am part of the healing process in our clients’ journeys. I feel proud to be part of a team that helps people get their quality of life back. I am surrounded by the most incredible, strong, and inspiring team and have made bonds that will last a lifetime.
So that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it… And don’t worry, I still do a little dancing, and I do it like EVERYONE is watching!
Ali Kirkland – Office Manager – Easthill Physiotherapy and Acupuncture
