Once an aspiring pharmacist, an auto accident forever changed the career trajectory of Anika Nazari DPT ’25 to one in physical therapy.

BY JAMIE WETHERBE MA ’04

ANIKA NAZARI DPT ’25 FOUND HER PASSION for physical therapy unexpectedly. “I was in a car accident that injured my back, so I went to physical therapy,” she says. “That’s where this whole career adventure started.”

At the time, Nazari was in her first semester at Glendale Community College with plans to become a pharmacist.

“My physical therapist knew I was studying anatomy,” she says. “So, she was really good at providing patient education, showing where I was hurt and explaining the interventions.”

This experience not only helped Nazari recover from her injury, it also unlocked a new career path. “I became interested in knowing about the human body,” she says. “It confirmed my love for biology.”

The noninvasive treatments the physical therapist provided also piqued Nazari’s interest. “It introduced me to this whole world of how to help patients become more mobile, reduce pain and provide preventative care,” she says.

Nazari, who was born in Iran to an Armenian family, didn’t have much exposure to this type of care. “In my culture, we tend to go for more invasive treatments or medication to relieve pain, instead of preventative approaches.”

Almost A First-Gen College Student

When Nazari was in the eighth grade, her family moved to Burbank, Calif. “I have a lot of family here,” she says. “It gave us a lot more opportunities to grow and achieve our dreams.”

In the United States, Nazari’s father continued his career in construction, while her mother, who had been a stay-at-home-parent, decided to take courses in English and child development.

“I was almost the first-generation college student in my family until my mom became a teacher,” Nazari says.

Nazari graduated with a biology degree from University of California Irvine, in 2020, with her sights set on USC. “It was my dream school, even when I was a chemistry major,” she says.

During the pandemic, Nazari shifted focus, and instead of applying to DPT programs, she gained experience in the field, including as a physical therapist assistant, hospital volunteer and supplemental anatomy instructor. Nazari also shadowed physical therapists virtually, observing as they presented case students online.

“I wanted to experience the real world of PT,” she says. “It all solidified my decision.”

Legends Teaching Us

In 2022, Nazari started USC’s DPT hybrid pathway, which combines the accessibility of online learning with in-person, hands-on immersion experiences.

“I’m really happy with the hybrid pathway,” she says. “It’s the same courses, same access, and I could be on campus during non-class hours.”

Whether online or in-person, Nazari sees the faculty and staff as the best part of her USC education. “We have a lot of legends teaching us,” she says. “I think the people are the most amazing thing USC offers.”

While Nazari is focused on starting her career after graduation, she already misses her time in the classroom.

“As students we always look at the finish line, but once you get there, it hits you that the journey as a student is over,” she says. “My advice is to enjoy the moment you’re in — whether it’s challenging or good, just enjoy it, because it ends too soon.”

As graduation approaches, Nazari reflects on how far she’s come. “I’m an immigrant student. I had to learn the language,” she says. “But I actually did make it here; I made it to the top school.”