By Naomi Martinez
The Department of Health, Sport, and Human Physiology (HSHP) in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recently launched a new initiative designed to connect current students with alumni working across health-related fields. The department’s inaugural ‘Ask an Alum’ event brought students together with Troy Bockenstedt, DPT, Aero Performance and Physical Therapy, for an open, low-stakes conversation focused on careers in physical therapy and the many paths available within the profession.
Held this fall on Zoom, the event marked the beginning of a conversation series created to foster meaningful alumni engagement while offering students direct access to professionals who once stood in their shoes. According to Internship Director Ben Landsee, the series was intentionally designed as a high-impact, low-pressure opportunity that allows students to explore career options, ask honest questions, and practice professional communication in an approachable setting.
Alumni perspectives that shape student pathways
Bockenstedt, a practicing physical therapist, business owner, and member of the HSHP Alumni Advisory Board, was eager to give back to the department that helped shape his career. A graduate of HSHP’s undergraduate program before completing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, Bockenstedt credits the rigor of his coursework—and the faculty who challenged him—with preparing him for success in graduate school.
Throughout the session, students engaged in a wide-ranging discussion with Bockenstedt, submitting questions in advance, and participating in real-time conversation. Topics ranged from preparing competitive graduate school applications to navigating the realities of day-to-day work as a physical therapist.
Landsee noted how energizing it was to watch students connect with someone actively working in the field they hope to enter. “We have so many students interested in physical therapy that it was exciting to offer them the chance to have a conversation with a practicing PT who graduated from our department,” he said. “Troy is an incredibly engaging human who wants to help current students explore their options. He was a fantastic guest for our first event.”
One of the most meaningful outcomes of the event was the clarity students gained about the breadth of opportunities within the field. “Physical Therapy is a popular profession, but it has many specializations that can offer numerous options to help people in different ways,” Bockenstedt said. “From vestibular hospital-based physical therapy, to geriatric care.”
For students, the opportunity to speak candidly with an alumnus provided reassurance during times often marked by uncertainty. Landsee found that student questions tended to fall into two main categories: the admissions process and the realities of daily professional life. “Students really want to know about applications and how to be a competitive applicant,” he said. “Pre-health students are under a great deal of pressure tied to admissions, and having conversations about the process is one way to make some space for the uncertainty they are facing.”
Students were also eager to hear about what it is actually like to work as a physical therapist, asking about clinic ownership, professional fulfillment, and what Bockenstedt enjoys most about his work. “I think students want to be able to imagine themselves in these roles, and these questions help them do that,” Landsee said.
Sharing knowledge to support the next generation
Bockenstedt also found the conversation rewarding because it allowed him to help students reflect on whether physical therapy—and which version of it—was right for them. He also encouraged students to think broadly about how they want to help others. “Clearly each student in HSHP wants to study how to help people, but there are numerous ways to achieve this,” he said. “I think this series helps students better understand what style of helping others fits their personality.”
Bockenstedt also shared advice he wishes he had fully appreciated earlier in his academic career. “I wish I knew the importance of connecting with my teachers,” he said. “They are constantly trying to understand the student’s mind and how to connect with you—but they can only do so much.” He encouraged students to attend office hours and take the time to build those relationships, noting that faculty “have connections across many fields” and can provide guidance well beyond the classroom.
For Landsee, alumni like Bockenstedt embody the purpose of the ‘Ask an Alum’ series. The session confirmed that students are eager for opportunities that allow them to explore career paths in accessible, conversational ways. “Low-stakes exploration opportunities are so necessary,” he said. “They can be a platform for finding and trying higher-demand experiences like internships, research, or study abroad. I believe in offering students the chance to test out the ideas they have about themselves and their future.”
Building on the success of its first session, HSHP plans to expand the ‘Ask an Alum’ series in the coming semesters. Upcoming conversations are planned to focus on comparing advanced health care provider roles—such as Physician Assistant (PA), Doctor of Medicine (MD), and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) pathways—as well as personal training and gym ownership. With several sessions planned for the spring, Landsee hopes to continue creating meaningful connections between students and alumni while helping students explore the many ways their HSHP education can shape their futures.