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Who is an occupational therapist?
I am a little interested in this for my future but the amount of schooling is what is scaring me for the pay is not that high? How do you feel about it? Would you recommend?
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Caroline’s Answer
Hello! I'm a pediatric and neonatal occupational therapist. It a very rewarding career. There is a lot of growth within the field and in non-traditional areas as well. You will learn skills that make you excellent at task analysis and sharpen your problem soling skills to address functional deficits in people and communities.
Depending on the school and program you enroll in it can be expensive but there are scholarships, grants, student working opportunities that can lower the cost.
I would recommend checking out AOTA its the national association for OT's. They have more information on specialty areas, trends, and salaries.
Good luck!
Depending on the school and program you enroll in it can be expensive but there are scholarships, grants, student working opportunities that can lower the cost.
I would recommend checking out AOTA its the national association for OT's. They have more information on specialty areas, trends, and salaries.
Good luck!
Updated
Diane’s Answer
Hi Ryley, an Occupational Therapist is a health care professional that specializes in helping people, with health issues, to preform daily tasks (ie. sit, stand, getting dressed, use different objects around the house). OT can be a very rewarding experience as you are helping people maintain or regain their independence. You also have the opportunity to work in a hospital environment or many times right in the patients home (think of a traveling nurse). My parents used in home OT's after having hip surgery and she basically set her schedule so it gave her the freedom to have work/life balance. Best of luck!
I appreciate your support, Diane
Ryley
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
Ryley, I am an occupational therapist. It is a very varied field that offers a wide range of areas you can work in with a wide range of pay depending on where you work as well. You can work with people across the age spectrum. Some OTs work in hospitals or home care like Diane spoke about. Some work in schools or free standing clinics. Some work in new emerging areas like with people experiencing homelessness or in prisons. OT does not pay as well as physical therapy, but requires a similar amount of schooling. However, I have never felt underpaid or struggled financially. I think the most important aspect of choosing a career is finding something you love and are passionate about. We spend a lot of our lives working and doing something we don’t enjoy just to make more money leads to an unsatisfying life.
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Ryley