Essay On Becoming An Occupational Therapist

The demand for choosing a suitable career where one can be passionate towards can either haunt you or be very easy for students at a very young age. With the question "what do you want to be when you grow up", by members of your family at every single holiday can set you into panic mode if you haven't figured out your life yet. I for one, was that student that panicked. To be honest I never dreamed of what I wanted to be growing up or what I could see myself doing. I chose to become an occupational therapist because I knew I wanted to work in the health care industry, and where I always believed I could truly excel. It wasn't until my past experiences during my undergrad and after graduation that my passion to become an occupational therapist not only became my goal but it became my destiny.

From research I knew the different settings, different types of people that
I provided one on one assistance and care to varying students with educational and physical impairments. I learned to work closely with classroom teachers as well as the special education department that provided extra services based on students needs. I had the opportunity to Implement new routines to better fit students personality and behavior for structure. Through my experience I not only focused on educational standards for students, I also implemented strategies to complete everyday task to achieve goals for independence. For example using the bathroom required extensive training to button/unbutton pants, untie/tie shoes or open food on their own to eat. These everyday tasks may seem simply to some but students with impairments may struggle therefore standing out as different. Becoming an Occupational Therapist I want to further work with students with disabilities on an educational level and work towards becoming more independent with daily