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A career in Occupational Therapy is a very focused decision. You serve a specific audience using everyday tools to improve their quality of life. It is one of the most holistic health care professions today.
This sample essay tackles the author’s desire to become an occupational therapist, why this is the career path she chose, and how she plans to make her way to success after studying.
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Why I Want To Be An Occupational Therapist: My Journey Towards OT
A few years ago at our family’s annual Thanksgiving dinner, I overheard my aunt, who is a practicing occupational therapist, talk about one of her clients. It was his last session with her as his fine motor skills had greatly improved after a tragic accident had rendered one of his arms useless.
I saw my aunt’s face light up as she shared about the progress of this client, and how happy she is to see him finally ready to thrive. She also mentioned how she didn’t expect her job to bring enormous self-fulfillment.
The way she talked about occupational therapy got me thinking, and before I knew it, I had asked my aunt to tell me more about her job. By the end of our conversation, I was set on becoming an occupational therapist myself.
The Role of Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists are wonderful practitioners who help people, young and old, to achieve maximum quality of life in all aspects – mental, emotional, physical. They utilize everyday activities to enable people to heal or move forward from a traumatic event or a personal obstacle. Their goal is to help reintegrate people into society so that they are able to thrive.
I chose occupational therapy because of the opportunity it gives me to be part of the inner work that goes on in people’s lives, helping them face inner battles that keep them from truly flourishing. Whether illness, disability, or injury, this specialty helps identify what’s keeping a patient from functioning healthily and provides channels for him or her to overcome it.
It was the look on my aunt’s face that convinced me to pursue this profession. She way she described her work made it sound like more than a job, but a vocation and calling. I have a strong desire to help people get back on their feet and the field of occupational therapy seems like a powerful platform to act on it.
Once I finish high school, I plan to go to OT school, get some volunteer hours at an OT clinic, gain some work experience, and then pursue a master’s degree. I would eventually want to spend time doing volunteer work in places of need before I settle down and start my own practice.
Why am I so attracted to the idea of becoming one of the world’s occupational therapists? It really boils down to the potential this role has to transform lives through everyday activities. I also love the fact that it is not limited to helping patients who are recovering from accidents or medical emergencies such as strokes; it also deals with people with mental illness or even simply lacks the social skills to navigate their way successfully in society.
As a future occupational therapist, my dream is to see patients develop the confidence to do things on their own as a result of our time together. I want to be able to see each patient through and release them once we both feel that they are ready to reintegrate themselves into the everyday world. I want to see them excel in everyday life, doing the things that are most meaningful to them.
Conclusion
While I know that immersing in the medical field is no easy feat, the field of occupational therapy is worth it. I am grateful that my family and best friends are cheering me on as I plan to pursue this profession.
I hope to gain as much knowledge as I can in my education so that I can hone the skills needed to be a great therapist. I also dream of getting involved in volunteer projects that need my specific skill set to help people get to a better place in their lives.
Ultimately, it is overall health and well-being that will get us through the most difficult seasons of life. Although I will only be in people’s lives for a season as an OT practitioner, my wish is to maximize that season so that its impact lasts throughout the rest of the patient’s life. I will also pay it forward and share my personal experiences with the youth, just like what my aunt did for me.
A Personal Statement On Why Become An Occupational Therapist (Short Essay Sample)
A profession in occupational therapy is not a common answer when you ask someone what he or she wants to do for a career. However, this is the case for me as one of my personal goals is to become like my aunt, who is a practicing occupational therapist.
There are many reasons why one would want to take this direction in terms of work. For me, a major part of my motivation is hearing all of my aunt’s stories on how her patients’ lives have changed after undergoing regular OT. From the disabled and ill to the injured and troubled, my aunt has had her share of experiences with people from all walks of life with various kinds of obstacles.
One of my strengths is providing practical help. It is a desire that has weighed heavily on my heart since childhood. As an occupational therapist, I will have an opportunity to put my passion to good use. I will be empowering people to get to a place of health, whether physically, emotionally, socially, or even mentally. I am truly excited to make a difference in patients’ lives.
FAQs on Why I Want to Become an Occupational Therapist
❓ What Are The Qualities Of A Good Occupational Therapist?
Great occupational therapists are sensitive. They know how to connect with people of different backgrounds and are aware of how powerful their words can be when communicating to patients. They are also wonderful listeners. They take time to really listen beyond the words and symptoms and get to the heart of the patient’s struggles. They are also creative. Their job requires them to make use of everyday tasks and activities in a therapeutic manner to aid in the patient’s recovery. At the same time, they are Big Picture thinkers. They don’t just stay at the surface and treat the symptoms – they craft a strategic plan to get the patient back to a place of health.
❓ What Does An Occupational Therapist Do On A Daily Basis?
Most of the day in the life of occupational therapists consists of meeting with patients. They hold regular sessions with patients that can be as short as half an hour to as long as a few hours, in very rare scenarios. They show patients what kind of physical movement or exercise they will be tackling for the session, even helping them out as they attempt them. They help patients navigate their way around machines for the session, as well as keep tabs on their progress. They also work alongside the patient’s families and other specialists in charge of the patient’s care to make sure all their sessions are aligned with the patient’s recovery goals.