Personal Narrative: A Career As An Occupational Therapist

The Job that I would love to have after I graduate college is becoming a therapist. I want

People’s experiences shape their lives and influence the choices they make, their expectations, and formulate their behavior and mindset. I have always loved to learn! As a child, I was constantly at the library and playing school. I recall being in 5th grade when my teacher handed me the science manual and a box of equipment, and asked me to ‘figure it out’ and recreate it for the class. I couldn’t have been more thrilled!

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational therapy assistants and aides help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working.” OT Career Path.com also states that, “occupational therapy assistants assist with the rehabilitation and care of patients with mental, developmental, physical, social, and emotional disabilities” Occupational therapist may provide many different forms of service from setting up materials, moving a patient, explaining exercises, preparing reports and implementing treatment plan as prescribed by the Occupational Therapist. An OTA’s duties vary greatly an example of their duties include helping patients acquire fine

An Occupational Therapist is a individual that can evaluate, develop, and help people regain and maintain daily living skills. Occupational Therapist work with people that have physical, mental and developmental conditions. The goal of the Therapist is to offer intervention that focus on teaching skills and helping the patient as well as the family on how to adapt and strengthen themselves so that they might be able to overcome physical obstacles. Occupational Therapist work with other health professionals in speech therapy, nursing, physical therapy and social work to ensure that the patients course of treatment aligns with the other areas.

Hard work and empathy were instilled in me at a young age and ultimately have guided my life decisions. I always knew I wanted a career doing something that involved helping people and left me feeling that I made a difference in their lives. I finished my undergraduate degree in Nutrition, but in the end lacked passion for the profession. Following a personal experience with an Occupational Therapist, I was able to see the positive outcome she had on my grandfathers recovery which lead me to pursue my career in occupational therapy.

As a recent graduate of the Family and Child Sciences program at Florida State University, I am committed to advancing my career opportunities on a graduate level of study in occupational therapy. I accomplished my initial goal of becoming a certified preschooler teacher and acquired a further understanding of the pediatric realm of occupational therapy based on my educational experiences. At this point in my life I have realized that the graduate program of occupational therapy is my path forward to becoming a professional pediatric occupational therapist. I believe occupational therapy is one of the most innovative and effective approaches in health care delivery in the medical field. I am fascinated by the thought of helping future patients deal with ailments and diseases with a primary care level. Occupational therapy, as a discipline is

On my search for a full-time job, I came across this ad. This ad led me to a career option, that I had not be aware of. I had never heard of an occupational therapy assistant. The picture demonstrated what they did, and it moved me. In fact, I wish I had known about them when my mom was ill. We were looking for a physical therapist, and they had said that it would not be a good fit for her. She was ill, but she wanted that independence. Perhaps, an occupational therapist would have been able to help her with that.

What intrigues me most in the field of Occupational Therapy is that I could make a positive impact in the lives of others. An occupational therapist can help a patient revitalize their physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities, and develop or restore its functionality through continuous practice and effort. There is nothing more fulfilling for me than to see an individual achieving the greatest possible independence. This train of thought arose when I observed an occupational therapist working with my mother to return her arm to feeling normal again after her accident.

I have personally witnessed the established, unprecedented and warmhearted culture, of Winston Salem State Universities Occupational Therapy program. I visited this program over the summer and experienced the mission state of the university and the occupational therapy program firsthand. I am genuinely a good fit for this program because my reason for becoming an occupational therapist is to offer patients to maintain and retrieve their quality of life. It is of supreme importance to me that every patient, no matter his or her race, background, or gender receives personal, professional, and effective treatment. The patient rehabilitation process reminds me of the universities history and foundation. Starting out as a one-room structure, the

As a young child, I did not fully grasp why my uncle was confined to a wheelchair. Many years later, my parents informed me that he had an arteriovenous malformation removed from his pons that left him ataxic. With a two-year-old daughter and a son on the way, my uncle was told he might never walk again. When individuals are confronted with a physical or emotional challenge such as this, they may look to others for support in finding inner strength and self-fulfillment in their life. As a future occupational therapist, I look forward to helping individuals finding this inner strength to attain competence and independence in the occupations of life.

I never thought that I'd be writing to you out of all people. Everyone may question my sanity once they figure out I've been trying to write to you ever since you were convicted five years ago. It's just.... I couldn’t find the right words to explain how badly you hurt me. However, my therapist said that writing this letter will help me accept the fact that I made the dumbest mistake in the world seven years ago when we got married. Oh yeah, I'm going to a therapist. I find that quite ironic since one day I thought I could become a therapist, and specialize in women sciences, but instead, I'm going to one.

What do you want to do? Who are you? Why do you want to partake in this program? If I were to be asked these questions at the beginning of my journey, I would not be able to give a proper response. All I knew was my simple desire to help other people.

I have always wanted a career in which I can make a positive impact on people’s lives. The engaging, challenging and diverse nature of Occupational Therapy meets that need and would allow me to support individuals; enabling them to achieve their personal goals and ultimately gain independence. I want to study this exciting degree as it will equip me with the practical skills to become a confident, knowledgeable and innovative occupational therapist. I have visited Eastbourne Hospitals OT department to meet the therapists and see the range of environments and equipment used. I have also spoken directly with OT graduates and service users which has given me a deeper understanding of the scope and breadth of OT.

For the last 15 years I have had a career in respiratory therapy. In Wichita Falls, Texas there are not many opportunities for a respiratory therapist other than working for the local hospital. Recent changes in healthcare have also prompted me to prepare for the possibility of a different career. With such a long career in a single field I was unsure what other vocational opportunities would be available to me. Recently I became aware of a job opening with our local school district. They were looking for a health and science technology educator. This job requires a degree and experience working in health science. As I investigated the job description I began to feel excited about pursuing a teaching career. I felt as though teaching

Do you believe that your role as a therapist will end at the end of the day or will it be present in your personal life also?