Occupational Therapist Interview Essay

The career that interests me the most is Occupational Therapy. I chose to interview Debbie, a Registered Occupational Therapist who received her Bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University. She is working at Lynwood Manor which is a long-term rehabilitation facility.

The first question many people will ask you when it comes to choosing a career is “why did you choose that career?” Debbie explained that she knew she wanted to pursue this career when she was younger she grew up in the same household of her grandmother after she had a stroke. Being an Occupational Therapist is about wanting to help someone gain back their independence and you have to want it as much as they do!

Although I am pretty sure of what I want to do career wise, I asked

Debbie if she has the chance to start over what career would she pursue. Speech Pathology was her second interest and I found that amusing because that was my second choice also. I think the key idea between these two jobs is helping individuals regain skills that help them become more independent and functionable.

Occupational Therapy isn’t a popular field so deciding to take on the competitive field is a big decision! I was curious as to what some suggestions would be for me and my educational career path. I personally have worked previously with Debbie and she feels that “it would be perfect for me due to my amount of enthusiasm in seeing patients excel in group and independent activities.” She also said to keep an open-mind because you never know when something might surprise me.

When you finally become a licensed OT you have the job variety to work with children, the emergency room, long-term care facilities, etc.

I was questioning what each one is like. Unfortunately, Debbie has only worked with Children and long-term care facilities. She acknowledged me of the fact that children may be harder to work with especially when they’re in pain, but she did enjoy it very much. She prefers doing long-term care facilities due to the variety of patients. I feel that the best idea for me to decide which area I would like to work in would be to volunteer or job shadow in different places to see which one I would like best.

Every job has different stress factors and levels. Debbie enlightened me that she has done this job for 36 years and it is very unstressful, she actually enjoys coming to work! The only thing that one may find stressful is working with a patient that doesn’t want to get better or seeing someone not progress.

A lot of jobs have the effect of taking it home with you, I personally have a job like that now and I don’t think I could deal with that the rest of my life. Debbie said that the only thing she ever takes home is happiness knowing that she’s helping

people.

Every job has it’s con’s also. The only con that she could think of was the amount of documentation that has to be completed.  Everything else about the job is pro’s, from helping people to not sitting at a desk all day.

Most Master’s programs are very competitive to get into now. She informed me that although she met the criteria for the program she didn’t get accepted the first time, but she didn’t give up! Sometimes there simply just isn’t enough room to accept everyone that applies but that doesn’t mean to give up. I learned that you should volunteer as much as you can (the program requires 100 hours) but the more experience you get the better! Stay focused and determined I was told and never give up.