Does occupational therapy sound like the perfect career for you? Start prepping now with these resources
Prerequisites
For the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at ACU, choosing these subjects in Year 11 and 12 is required:
- English
And at least one of the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
Build your skills
As well as having an occupational therapy degree, OTs need to be good at:
- Communication
- Active listening
- Showing empathy and compassion
- Problem solving
- Critical thinking
- Time management
- Advocacy
- Working as a team
- Keeping an open mind
Watch:
Downsizing (Stan)
In this sci-fi/comedy flick, follow occupational therapist Paul Safranek as he undergoes a procedure to shrink himself to five inches tall to reduce his carbon footprint. He goes to live in a small, experimental community where he finds himself using his OT skills to help his neighbours.
Occupational Therapy for the Homeless (YouTube)
A TED Talk by Quinn Tyminski, a mental health occupational therapist, who describes the power of OT and how it changes lives through meaningful and purposeful activity.
What’s it like being an OT in rural South Australia? (YouTube)
Grace grew up in regional South Australia and now works there as an OT. Grace shares her journey from work experience and choosing subjects through to the buzz moments that make her OT day.
Follow
@otaust
Occupational Therapy Australia represents over 30,000 OTs. They’re all about protecting and progressing OT
in Australia.
World Federation of Occupational Therapists
The key international representative for OTs and OTs around the world.
Listen up
AT in OT: Assistive Technology in Occupational Therapy
Hear from OTs working with people with assistive technology needs. Episodes cover everything from working in multidisciplinary teams to equipment prescription.
The Research Works Podcast
Listen to inspiring interviews with occupational therapy researchers.
Occupied
A creative project exploring all things Occupation, Occupational Science and OT.
This article was first published in the Occupational Therapist Job Kit in partnership with Australian Catholic University.
