During her time at the University of South Florida (USF), Casey Farrell was deeply
involved in the USF community, serving as President of the Judy Genshaft Honors College
Student Council, participating in multiple study abroad programs, and even receiving
a prestigious Golden Bull Award.
A 2018 graduate with degrees in health sciences, specializing in social & behavioral
sciences and biological sciences, Farrell has achieved another significant milestone
by earning her Doctor of Physiotherapy degree after successfully defending her dissertation
just a few months ago.
Reflecting on her undergraduate experience at the University of South Florida's Judy
Genshaft Honors College, Farrell considers her time in Tampa transformative. She credits
the college with providing her with invaluable skills and habits that continue to
benefit her today.
In an interview with the Honors College, Farrell discusses her career and how her
USF experience set her up for success after graduation.
Q: How would you describe your time at USF?
During my time at USF, I was heavily involved with the Honors College. I served as a peer mentor for several years and was actively engaged with the Honors College Student Council. Starting as a member of the advertising committee (now known as marketing and public relations), I progressed to co-chair of advertising, vice president, and ultimately president in my senior year. I worked closely with Dean Adams and the advisors, with one of my favorite projects being the proposal and initiation of the Dean's Circle of Merit.
I participated in several study and service abroad programs, including trips to London, Germany, and the first service abroad to Thailand in collaboration with Peaceworks and ADRA Thailand.
Q: And have you managed to keep busy?
After graduation, I began working for the U.K. National Health Service during the urgent recruitment for the first COVID-19 pandemic as a support worker. In December 2021, I started working as a fully licensed physiotherapist. I balanced my doctoral research with my work as a physiotherapist and as a practice-based lecturer for Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland, supervising Master of Physiotherapy students completing an in-house clinical placement and running exercise classes for the local Aberdeen community.
This year, I became one of two physiotherapists in Scotland accredited to use lung ultrasound in practice, which is the focus of my research. After completing my doctoral work, I have presented at local, national, and international conferences on scholarship and have been invited to speak about my research at local events. I have one publication from my research so far and am currently working on at least two more. Recently, I gained registration status as a physiotherapist in New Zealand and plan to move there within the year.
Q: Think back to your first round of job interviews. How prepared did you feel to
sell your qualifications, and can you identify any ways in which your experience as
an Honors student contributed to your level of comfort?
I felt well-prepared for my first physical therapy job interview. My degree is unique
in that I was integrated and trained with the Master of Physiotherapy students for
the first two years of my degree and qualified as a U.K. physiotherapist alongside
them in December 2021. I then went on to complete Ph.D.-level research full time while
working on the bank as a physiotherapist within the NHS.
Going into my interview, I knew I wasn't the average new graduate; I was taking my education immediately to the next level. With the push for evidence-based practice, I was hoping my decision to undertake this research was seen as desirable, which made me more comfortable going in.
Before USF, research and exploring advanced practice was never something I considered because I felt pressure to be the absolute best in everything I did. The Honors College always encouraged me to explore my curiosities and gave me the confidence to reach higher, reassuring me that I don't need to be an expert in everything.
I was surrounded by such talent at the Honors College, and while at first it was intimidating, I realized how honored I felt to work alongside these brilliant minds. I learned about the beauty of collaboration, recognizing that every individual brings something to the table. Feeling free to follow my curiosities led me to academia, which made me more comfortable in my interview knowing I had a desirable skill.
Harnessing the ability to recognize and appreciate my own strengths knowing they can be complemented by others in my team made job interviews that much more comfortable.
Q: As your career has progressed, do you find that skills and knowledge you picked up as an Honors student have benefited you in the workplace?
Absolutely! As I said, I now follow my curiosities and look for any opportunity for collaboration with those who have similar goals and ambitions.
Whereas before I may have had an idea I would just keep to myself, I now often work with others in my field to begin initiatives and projects to improve our practice and patient outcomes. I remember an Honors class I took about change-making and wicked problems which introduced me to concept and system mapping which I still use today to push for change in my organizations.
The study and service abroad programs I did with the Honors College, as well as the many international events they put on, helped me become a more engaged global citizen which aids me whenever I go to a new country.
My involvement in the Honors College Student Council strengthened my leadership, collaboration, public speaking, and social engagement skills. The skills and knowledge I picked up within the Honors College have been unbelievably useful and have undoubtedly helped me to get to where I am today. I could go on for days!
Q: Did you make any valuable networking connections during your time as an Honors
student?
I met some incredible people during my time as an Honors student, with some becoming
great lifelong friends. I found some incredible mentors in the Honors College staff
that helped me prepare and get into this doctoral program. When I was an Honors College
peer mentor, I had two students who also wanted to become physical therapists; they
are now my peers in the field! And if it was not for Dean Adams encouraging me to
join the USF in London program in 2016, I don't think I would have spent the last
four years in Scotland and now be considering a move to New Zealand.
I really valued the connections I made during my time in the Honors College; the community
was such a treasure to be part of.
Q: What should current college students be doing now to improve their career readiness
after graduation?
Get involved! The more people you meet and engage with, the more perspectives and
thoughts you'll hear that will help you to grow.
Maintaining an open mind is so important for any career; it enhances relationships,
allows you to see new opportunities you may have missed otherwise, and can help ease
your mind when things don't go exactly as planned. I decided during my first year
to become a "Yes Woman" and asked myself "why not?" when presented with opportunities
I wouldn't have normally considered. I cannot emphasize enough how many doors opened
and how many unique opportunities I was given because of this simple decision to be
open-minded.
The Honors College has so much to offer and it's not until I had left that I realized
exactly how incredible it was.