How did you become a PA or secretary?

What would I need to do to become a PA?

• I am nearing an end to my sophomore year in college. I'm about to graduate from community college with an Associate of Arts and will be transferring to a university this Fall, majoring in French language, as well as undergoing a pre-physician assistant program. On a side note, I am actually hoping to someday move to and live in Canada--either Quebec or Ontario; it would be a dream to land a career and practice in France--I have distant family in both countries. I currently live in Texas, however. But anyways--prior to taking the GRE upon entrance to graduate school for becoming a PA [after earning a Bachelor's of course]--must I already have had some experience or direct involvement with jobs in healthcare? Should I just speak with my university advisor about requirements and what I should do in the long run prior to PA school? The main thing that worries me though is the requirement of having hundreds or a thousand plus hours of experience prior to entering PA school; I am not sure if that is specifically applicable for the consideration or entry into PA school however. Or is that requirement needed more so prior to actually becoming a licensed PA? I feel like it's too late for me to begin trying to find a way to get such hours and work in. Would it be doable if I started now? Or are there residency programs and opportunities available in graduate school? It will take me about three years from now to earn my Bachelor's after wasting away two years tackling numerous different courses, desperately trying to discover what I really want to pursue.

• Answer:

  The best way is to enroll in and complete a Physician Assistant program in Canada. That way you know that you will get the academics necessary for licensing. They offer accredited programs at U Toronto, U Manitoba, and McMasters [Hamilton ON]