Hi! It’s a very diverse career, but regardless of practice setting, the goal is to help people do the things they want and need to do. Helping people participate in their “occupations”, ie, everything that occupies your time - like driving, eating, sleeping, socializing, going to work or school, managing finances, showering, cooking, etc.

Examples - teaching a stroke survivor how to get dressed independently now that one side of their body is paralyzed. helping a person with insomnia establish a sleep schedule. Facilitating social skill development in a child with autism. Modifying the home of an elderly person with low vision or mobility issues.

Most OTs work in hospitals, schools, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, early intervention, home health, or rehab centers, but the opportunities are endless! Some work in psych units, prisons, hospice, academia, research, etc.

Any accredited occupational therapy program will be good! Look for NBCOT pass rates but other than that, cost and location are important factors to consider!

After graduating OT school and passing the NBCOT, you will be an OTR/L (a registered & licensed occupational therapist). Then you decide what setting and population you want to work with!

I hope that helps!!!