I’m interested in a career as an occupational therapist, and would like if anyone who works as occupational therapist would mind answering some questions.
What did you major in?
How competitive is the program?
What are some of the courses that you had to take?
What exactly do you do as an occupational therapist?
How stressful is it?
How is the job outlook? Is it going to hard to find a job?
Not an OT but am the parent of a recently graduated OT (Dec '13) .
At her school, most pre-OT students majored in psychology but as long as all the prerequisites for applying to the graduate program in OT are taken, a student can pick any major they wish.
There were a several students interviewed for each place in the OT class. But I must point out that about half the spots were already filled by undergrad students at her school (including my daughter) who had obtained direct admit to the program when they were admitted as freshmen by meeting certain criteria. This is a preferred way to get into an OT program- much less stressful than applying and interviewing while completing the undergrad degree.
Undergrad required courses to apply to OT school include chem, bio, physics, anatomy, several psych classes, statistics. If you’re asking about OT classes you can look them up online.
My daughter is a pediatric OT- works with young children who have developmental delays, feeding issues, tactile issues, etc. OT’s work with people of all ages depending on what you are interested in. Many opportunities now with geriatric population. Job outlook is considered very good.
Stress is very dependent on the individual circumstances. Make sure that you choose a career that you like. My daughter loves her job because she knows she is making a difference in her clients’ lives.
Have you job shadowed any OT’s yet?
try the forums on studentdoctor.net