Whether you are just about to step into the “real world” for the first time, or you have been there, done that and decided it’s time for a change, you should consider a career in Occupational Therapy. What is it? Well, essentially, it is helping people do the activities of daily living. This can incorporate a host of specialties, but the general theme is helping people live life fully. So why would you want a career doing this? Here is a list of top ten reasons to consider OT:
1) Career in Demand: As a subset of the healthcare industry, it is set to take off in the next several years. As Baby Boomers inch their way towards their AARP years, the whole healthcare industry will be in demand.
2) No More Monotony: As an Occupational Therapist, you will likely never endure monotony on the job again. Since the clients you will work with may have several different problems, which you may choose to treat several different ways, and since each individual client is different, your days can be as variable or monotonous as you wish!
3) Dynamic Career: If you choose to specialize in pediatrics, it is not difficult to make a slight career change and work as a hand specialist or geriatrics. This ability to form your career to your personal whims is a great advantage of a career in OT, and you will not need to obtain an additional degree to change specialties. (However, extra training may be preferable in some cases.)
4) Make a Difference: At the end of the day, everyone wants to know that what they are doing is impacting someone in a possitive way. It’s a human desire to help people and impact others. When your client smiles after achieving a goal, the delight in their eyes will stay with you and help you sleep well at night. That is very different from the draining work of cubicle jobs!
5) Professional Freedom: Since you are the therapist, you are free to include whatever therapy specialties or activities you deem appropriate. For example, many OT’s utilize FloorTime, a specialized play therapy, in working with autistic children. Others include aquatic therapy to aid in working on muscle strength with cerebral palsy clients. These decisions are made based on the therapists backgrounds, familiarity with different treatment methods, and in conjunction with the desires of the client.
6) Creative Liscense: As an Occupational Therapist, you will continually be on the lookout for any object or tool to help your clients. Often, OT’s are addicts of The Dollar Store and are considered “hoarders” because they often buy small items “just in case. This can be an exhillerating and fun aspect of the job- to always be challenged to see things in an unusual way- to recognize what a hidden treasure ordinary objects hold to the therapy environment.
7) Dynamic Work Environment: Want to work in a hospital? Okay. Want to work for a private company? Alright. Want to do house calls? Fine. Want to work in a school so you will be on the same schedule as your own children? Cool. OT’s work in all of these places and in many more! As a general rule, any place where people are living, you are likely to find an OT helping them live well.
If you are interested in Occupational Therapy, check out The American Occupational Therapy Association website. Also, be sure to check out I Want to Be an Occupational Therapist!
