182 | PA + MBA: Why This PA Is Expanding His Career & Leadership Opportunities (Interview with Matthew Wetherhold, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA)
What happens when a PA decides to add an MBA to their career?
In this episode, I’m joined by Matthew (Matt) Wetherhold, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA who shares why he decided to pursue an MBA at this stage of his career and how he’s using it to explore new opportunities, grow as a leader, and think differently about what the next 10 to 15 years of his career could look like.
We also talk about how his perspective on financial independence (FI) has evolved over the years. After initially discovering the FIRE movement and thinking early retirement was the goal, he realized that he actually enjoys the work he does. Today, he sees financial independence less as a path to quitting work and more as a way to create greater flexibility and make career decisions based on what interests and challenges him.
As PAs, we have unique opportunities to continue learning, take on new challenges, move into leadership, and change directions throughout our careers. This conversation explores what it can look like to intentionally build a career around growth, opportunity, and the options you want for your future.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Why he decided to pursue an MBA as a physician associate / physician assistant
- What made this the right time in his career to go back to school
- How an MBA can support career growth and leadership development
- His interest in taking on more leadership roles
- How he sees his PA career evolving over the next 10 to 15 years
- Why a PA career doesn't have to follow one linear path
- How financial independence changed his approach to work and career decisions
- Why he no longer sees early retirement as the ultimate goal
- How financial flexibility can create more opportunities to pursue work that interests and challenges you
- The value of making career decisions based on more than just the paycheck
Whether you're considering going back to school, interested in leadership, or simply thinking about what you want the next chapter of your PA career to look like, this episode will encourage you to think more broadly about the possibilities, options, and freedom available to you through the journey along the way to financial independence as a physician associate / physician assistant.
Resources Mentioned:
Simple Path to Wealth book (Amazon Affiliate)
Ready to start taking control of your money by seeing where it's going every month? Get your free copy of the The PA Freedom Money Planner
Would like more support along your journey to financial independence as a PA? Join the waitlist for The PA FREEDOM Method
Connect with Matt on Instagram
Connect with Kat with PA the FI Way:
Follow PA the FI Way: Instagram → @pathefiway
LinkedIn → www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-‘kat-astrup-mspas-pa-c-175848255
YouTube → www.youtube.com/@pathefiway
Website → pathefiway.com
