‘Real’ life as an OT

October 17, 2012
by Kendra

Fieldwork What are OS/OT?

Last week was our full week of fieldwork, and while difficult and overwhelming at times, I always find these full weeks invigorating and a well-timed reminder of why I’m going into occupational therapy at all. While in school our lives are determined by case studies, readings, and exams. Life between September and December depends on being able to stay afloat, manage the stress load, and make the grade. Essentially, each fall and spring our life is completely consumed with being a student.

What is especially exciting during these full week immersions, is the ability to play the part of worker, wife, mother, housekeeper, cook, and experience what life will be like outside of school!

When I was in theater school my life consisted of auditions and memorizing monologues for comedy or Shakespeare classes, and I thrived. But when I graduated and was released into the wild world of acting I felt unprepared and was disappointed by the stark contrast between school and the big bad real world. For the longest time I shook my fist at the establishment that trained me for helping me become a better artist but never preparing me for the business and self-promotion aspect that is just as important, if not more, to establishing a career as an actor. Basically no one ever told me what daily life would be like.

This is why experiences like last week are so very valuable, not just in gaining clinical experience, but in having the chance each semester to try on the role of pediatric OT, acute inpatient OT, and mental health OT. We can see how well we fit (or don’t fit) into the daily grind of working in each setting. We can learn first hand how work effects our relationships, coping skills and leisure time. We experience what the stress of one setting is like compared to others and build not just skills but a realistic understanding of what the job will be like.

So as I transition back to my role of stressed out student, I feel refreshed and confident knowing that all this hard work is leading me to a fulfilling and inspiring lifetime in occupational therapy.

⋯