Occupational Therapist - Is it for me?

[@CarlynOT-Coach]

I couldn't imagine doing anything else! It took me a few years to get into the OT program but it was worth the wait. A career that is so fulfilling and diverse that you can never be bored. I work in mental health private practice and coach other OTs now to support our profession. I'm happy to connect with any OTs or prospective OTs. The more we stick together, the better our profession is.

[@tieganprice1666]

What sort of things do you do in the mental health sector of occupational therapy? I’m struggling deciding what to do at university

[@CarlynOT-Coach]

@@tieganprice1666 I help people resume meaningful activity when they have lost structure, routine, meaning and purpose due to depression, anxiety and/or trauma. It’s so rewarding to use occupation/meaningful activity as they way of improving function as well as the most important outcome. Lots of creative problem solving, compassion, and real-world practical stuff. Are you considering OT as a career and comparing it to other fields?

[@tieganprice1666]

@@CarlynOT-Coach i’m a student currently studying health care. i am unsure what field to go into. i have considered going into adult nursing, mental health and occupational therapy but i can’t decide which i want to apply for at uni because all of the above are appealing to me and i am interested in them all

[@CarlynOT-Coach]

@@tieganprice1666 lots of great choices. The thing I like about OT is the variety. You could change your work significantly throughout your career by working with different age groups, working in mental health, phys med, neurology, community, inpatient, private, med-legal and more. So much versatility in one career.

[@tieganprice1666]

@@CarlynOT-Coach Thankyou so much for giving me advice and from personal experience. You are very passionate about your job and that is how I strive to be in life. You have truly inspired me

[@vivianojabo5879]

Hi My name is Viv,and I’m a first year OT student. I’m passionate about OT,but still trying to understand Ot theory and practice. I feel encouraged watching your video.

[@Penelopenik22]

Then why you decided to study this field,when you can't actually explain what is thisq

[@Tay3-lq6jb]

@@Penelopenik22 bro u don’t even know 😭

[@Mariivee1]

Did you continue on the path towards OT? I'm thinking about going back to school for OT

[@LearnwithRewa797]

@@Mariivee1 I just applied to OT school 2 days ago. i am from Nigeria. wish me well

[@Mariivee1]

​@LearnwithRewa797 good luck!!

[@jomofo42]

30 second intro for a 3 minute video!

[@savitakumari-qp2cf]

Hi.... I am also occupational therapist in India but I am looking for uk to try more opportunities in occupational therapy.can you suggest me how to look into it

[@newbiegamingyt6861]

Bro is it have scope

[@lovebunnykaz]

I have an interview with St Georges and I am so nervous about it

[@steveraine2971]

Have you already had your interview? If not, what are you nervous about? I'm a third-year OT student, happy to help you with any questions :)

[@amcn1239]

@@steveraine2971 hi Steve I’m worried I’m picking the wrong field, do you like OT, has it been different than expected ?

[@steveraine2971]

@@amcn1239 What makes you think you are picking the wrong field? It's worth stating that the great thing about studying for this degree is that you're not going to pigeonhole yourself into just becoming an OT, there will be lots of other doors that will open up. One of the things that stood out most to me when I began my training was our lecturers saying that, rather than placing emphasis on 'good' grades, they're more interested in changing how we think. I'd like to think that the time spent in lectures, on placement, reading around the subject, and getting to know my fellow students has achieved this. I really like OT, as in its purest form it has the potential to unpick a lot of really critical issues of our time. There is often a lot of talk that you 'don't use' a lot of the stuff that you learn during your training (OT models etc.). However, I would argue that just because you're not directly 'using' a practical tool, does not mean that you're not using it. What I mean by this is backed up by my lecturer's idea about changing how we think. These things hopefully become ingrained in you and influence how you work with service users/view the world. One thing worth mentioning is that your course may have a lot of contact hours (mine was 9-4, four days a week). In my opinion, this can seem like a lot and if you're expecting to have a usual 'student' experience, you may feel like you're missing out. That's not to say that you still can't have fun, but if you're living with students on different courses that have less contact time, then you could feel hard done by. But, we're paying for our education and so more contact time is more cost-effective and presents more opportunities to learn.

[@marifertejada4545]

@@steveraine2971 Your comment helped a lot. I’ll be a Junior in high school in September but it’s important that I start thinking about these things now. I love dentistry but occupational therapy and physical therapy has always called my name. I think that OT is the right degree for me. Thank you

[@sophieo7160]

I am starting my UCAS application this summer. Does anyone have any advice for the PS/interview or on which university? I am a mature study, first time applying and already done some research online but would like to speak to some real people.

[@shawneeshawnee6190]

Be very careful picking this for a career! Do your research and interview OTRs and COTAs before deciding!!! Esp. in a SNF! 32 years in and frustrated!

[@minicc26]

Can you explain, I'm thinking about doing OT speech or xray tech

[@pozytywnaosobka1319]

Could you please explain ?

[@shawneeshawnee6190]

I meant if you are a student getting ready to spend thousands of dollars for an education.

[@NatashaWarden]

Your attitude was unnecessary..your initial comment wasn't very clear. ​@@shawneeshawnee6190

[@user-bn8ui9wm3u]

@@shawneeshawnee6190you’re very mean, no wonder you’re miserabIe at your job

[@stephhaywood8702]

Do you ever have to wash patients? So it can be intimate?

[@quink2376]

No

[@shawneeshawnee6190]

If you are doing a FULL ADL it is expected you finish up where the patient can not finish! Yes! You finish washing people and dressing AND assisting with toilet hygiene! It is not fun at times! But the patient comes first! I LOVE my patients and OT in its purity! But don’t let people glamorize a profession that is suffering right now! Do your research! Interview OTs working in skilled nursing facilities and other sites! Interview people who have been doing it for years! In a nursing home setting working for contract companies you will have a short amount of time with resident so you will be competing tasks they can not finish on their own!! Such as, washing/ dressing/ and wiping backsides!!

[@KaunaAliyu]

I want to study occupational therapy as a graduate course but don't have much experience I studied microbiology as an undergraduate Is that possible? I taking related short courses online right now

[@BusyCuriousMom]

Hi.. I am on same page.. no idea from where to start.. ? Please share if you’ve collected any information on this.

[@LearnwithRewa797]

@@BusyCuriousMom Ok from the littlet i have gathered and someone who is also on your boat, The graduate program is a pre reg Msc conversion course , its done in some schools in the UK and the US but its quite expensive. I dont know if you will be able to work with it outside the Uk as every country has their criteria for obtaianing license. For me i applied for a 4 years Bachelors in Occupational therapy in India and am hoping to start afresh .this is cheaper and will help u with the foundations.