Interested in Occupational Therapy?

So do you want to become a therapist? An occupational therapist will help clients have independent, productive, and satisfying lives by helping people with a wide range of disabilities improve their daily living and work skills. The field of occupational therapists is growing; predictions are it will increase by 26% in the next 7 years. The median income is over $66,000. If you are a people-type person with good communication skills and patience to spare, keep reading to find out how to become an occupational therapist.

An occupational therapist will customize a set of exercises for a client according to their needs, determined in a meeting with the client and their family and friends, the people who know the client the best. Clients can vary, but can include children and youth, people with mental health issues, aging adults, and people with disabilities or work injuries seeking to rehabilitate themselves. Exercises can vary from improving eye-hand coordination, improving memory or decision making, or even daily tasks such as dressing and eating. An occupational therapist can work in schools, hospitals, client's homes, or a therapy facility and typically work full time. Therapy has goals, but they can be changing and altering. As a client improves, their goals are raised or the focus can shift.

How can one become a therapist? It does require a master's degree, but you will learn so much through related areas. In order to sit for the national certifying exam, one must attend an academic program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Schools also can offer financial aid options as well to off-set the cost of schooling. Even after completing all of the schooling, and being certified, one has to constantly stay informed. The medical field is always changing with improvements in technology and knowledge every day. Some of these changes could help an occupational therapist as they are assisting their clients in attaining strengths. As the client meets their goals, it is satisfying knowing how much you improved someone's life.

Chosing a Career

With all of the careers out there, you want to choose one that will leave you feeling satisfied at the end of every work day. How do you choose one? The tip that I received from a counselor in high school was to take classes in things that interest me in college. After a year of an undeclared major, I choose Communications. I really enjoy understanding more about people, which lead to my minor of Sociology. For me this took a little while, and I know that I want to work one day in nonprofit helping people.

Choosing a career or school isn't as easy for some. My friend Andrea had a reverse experience; she knew the exact career she wanted, Forensic Psychology. She wants to understand what type of person could commit horrific crimes and why. Her problem was finding the right school. She carefully considered some of the top online colleges, but she eventually settled on her bachelor’s degree at Saginaw Valley State University. She is about to start her last semester. When she graduates, she has a plan in place to move somewhere where she begin working in the field, but will attend graduate school, and possibly keep going until she receives a doctorate's degree.

How do you choose a career? How do you know what is right? Everyone needs to do what is best for them. Reflect on your interests and activities. If there is something that interests you, do your own research into a possibility of a career. Ask questions; see if you can get information from a person or organization. If they don't know, see if they have suggestions where you could go to get more information. See if there is an opportunity to overshadow for a day at a company, or even intern for time period. 

Remember that there is no wrong way in life. Life is lots of trials and errors or successes. If you determine you are no longer interested in a career, then change up your plan. My favorite teacher told me that she changed her major three times before settling on Communications and it's the best decision she made. I always think of how Edison invented so many versions of the light bulb that did not work before he was successful. Determination is what will lead you down the right path in life.

Things to Do During Winter Break

Its week finals for me, and I'm so relieved that I have nearly finished one more semester. While homework, studying, and attending classes is not consuming all of my time, I'll have the opportunity to do things I haven't done in the last four months. Here is a list of my favorite things to do during winter break:

• Visit family I haven't seen much of lately. For me this includes family that lives about an hour away. I made a date with them for next week.
• Enjoy holiday activities. This includes finishing decorating for Christmas, making Christmas cookies, drinking egg nog, listening to Christmas music, wrapping presents, and playing board games with my cousins in our pajamas.
• Catch up with my DVR. There are some shows I was interested in earlier this fall, I set the recordings and haven't had time to watch.
• Go to the movies with friends. Something about sitting inside the theater with a tub of popcorn and a cup of Pepsi next to me gets me excited.
• Enjoy painting again. I like to paint with acrylics on canvas and try to recreate paintings I saw in a store and took a picture of. My attempts turn out far from what I was aiming for, but I enjoy the process.
• Read some books. I have a list of books that I have come across throughout the last four months while I was in school and didn't have time to try reading. I'll be stopping at the library to pick up a few soon.
• Work on finding scholarships and grants. I started a search already and found grants for women that sound promising.
• Get ready for next semester. This includes cleaning out my bag, my pencil pouch and tossing pens that have ran out of ink. I have a favorite pen I'll try to replace the ink cartridge.
• I hope to check out the traveling museum exhibit. I like history, and the King Tut exhibit is in the area.
• Enjoy the time to relax. I only have 3 weeks off before the next semester starts and the time off will seem to fly by.

How To Give an Effective Presentation

Its nearly the end of the semester. Everyone is preparing for presentations and final exams, even those working towards becoming a business administrator. Even the most confidant people have a difficult time preparing for a presentation. The most important tip is that preperation is the key!

• Use index cards to take notes and reherse your speech. You'd like to sound professional however not too overrehersed. Using only notes will help you to sound improvised so you don't sound like a recording.
• Powerpoints are helpful. Include pictures, charts, or graphs. Using headlines with a few of the key points is also a great method.
• Don't stare at your notes or powerpoint. Allow yourself to look around the room and let your eyes make contact with a few people, including the instructor.
• Dress the part! Some are required to be dressed up as a business presentation, other professors allow you to be casual. I would recomend dressing up regardless. It doesn't have to be a suit, but nice dress pants, shoes, and a button down shirt help me to mentally visualize myself as being successful. I also make sure to have my hair and makeup looking professional and sleek.
• Drink plenty of water the day before, you'll want to appear hydrated.
• Get a good night's rest. You want to look well rested and confidant.
• Eat the right foods. You'll want to avoid salty food the day before to prevent bloating. Eat plenty of veggies & fruit to help maintain your health. Have a serving of fish to keep your brain sharp too.
• Focus on your breathing. While waiting to present or speak, take a moment to close your eyes and focus on calming your breathing down while mentally picturing everyone applauding your successful presentation.
• Think positive and smile, it makes you more personable, retaining the audience's attention.
• Remember to slow down if you begin to rush, this isn't a race to the end, its a proccess. Take a deep breath and collect your thoughts. A momentary pause is ok, the audience needs a time to process what you had just said.
• Don't forget to answer questions. If someone intrurupts you, either take a moment to answer it, or reply that you will address it durring the presentation or at the end.
• Finally, learn from your mistakes. It helps you to be a better presenter for the next opportunity.