Dream big with OT!
Welcome! I want to take a moment to thank all of you returning bloggers, as well as those of you who are visiting my blog for the first time! I enjoy your comments and your questions. Keep them coming! It is exciting to connect with people in New Zealand, New York, Pennsylvania...and never have to leave my living room! The sky's the limitJ
Speaking of the sky, I came across a great quote on a funny quote website that I thought I'd share with you today. It goes, "Last night I lay in bed, looking up at the sky, and I thought to myself, ‘Where in heck is the ceiling?' " There was no author credited with it; but I suspect that it was someone who could envision the endless possibilities of having no ceiling! The freedom to dream big! For example, imagine being offered the opportunity to enter any profession of your choice....don't worry about skills or training....you will automatically have them in this daydream. Think about something that you love to do and the kind of work lifestyle you would relish each day. Dream big...take your imagination to a higher level...without fear or doubt. What would you be doing right now if I could wave my magic wand over you and make your dream job come true?
Don't wake up just yet. But answer this question: "For how many of you out there was occupational therapy your dream job?" Aha, I thought so! I figured that quite a few of you would raise your hands! Congratulations on having an imagination that matches your reality. Why is OT the job you love? Why does it offer the work lifestyle you enjoy? There will be a quiz later, so stay awake!
For me, and I can only speak for myself (which I do quite often), OT offers limitless possibilities - the sky's the limit - there is no ceiling. When someone asks me where my interest lies on the OT spectrum, I most often cannot be specific. The spectrum offers opportunities to work with people from birth to death, children and adults, healthcare workers and educators, insurance companies and politicians, as well as with a diverse population. You name your interest and you can find a place to put your passion to work. I enjoy the one-to-one interaction with clients and their families; however, I equally enjoy teaching and coaching. For others, becoming involved in healthcare reform and public policy allows them to share their skills in bringing about much needed change. Still others are most happy when they are involved with management and the creation of satisfying worksites.
And yet another question: Why DID you choose occupational therapy as a profession? What led you to OT and healthcare? I ask this question often (as much as I ask my other favorite question, "How did you meet your spouse/partner?") and I am always amazed at peoples' answers (to both questions). For a number of people, their interest in OT began when they or a relative received occupational therapy. Some of the people answered that OT satisfied their interest in things scientific. I've listened to people describe the struggle they had in making a choice - OT, nursing, PT, physician's assistant. They knew they wanted generally to care for others and they found that OT's philosophies and service models seemed a good fit. Some followed in the footsteps of people in OT that they admired. That was how I found OT. When people hear that my daughter, Veda, is an OT (as well as a lawyer), they jump to the conclusion that she wanted to grow up and be like her mother (an OT)! Well, she may have in other ways; but I actually became licensed in OT 3 years after her! When I was teaching at the group home I mentioned in another blog, I indicated to her that I was investigating graduate programs. As a NY State teacher, I needed to have begun a Master's Degree program by the end of my third year in teaching. Although I enjoyed the students I was working with, I "so did not" have an interest in a traditional, structured classroom. I'm a free-spirit don't forget! She had been hearing all about my non-traditional style of teaching and labeled it as OT. She said, "You are actually working with the students in an OT environment. You should get your Master's in OT. You'd love it." I said, "No, I wouldn't." She said, "Yes, you would." I said, "I could never learn all that anatomy stuff." She said....well you get the picture. And here I am. Thank you, Veda, for always showing me the light!
So, there are as many unique stories about becoming an OT as there are people. That reminds me of another funny quote: "Always remember, you're unique, just like everyone else." Again the author was not identified but I figure it was my first grade nun. She had a knack for letting you know where you stood (or sat)!
And that brings me to my challenge quiz. Are you still awake? Good. Here goes: I would like to hear YOUR stories about becoming an OT. Shoot me off a comment telling me about your journey toward a career in OT. (And if you feel compelled, you can also share how you met your spouse/partner - only kidding!) I am looking forward to reading about you and connecting with you. There are bonus points if you can also tell us about how you helped someone else choose OT!
So, until next time,
Stay connected!
Katherine