Anne Said:

Should I choose Occupational therapy or Physical Therapy for a profession?

We Answered:

I would go for the doctorate instead of the OT program because with a doctorate, I expect that your income will reflect this to a large extent and the costs associated with your school loans will be payed off quickly. My advice is to go with the PT doctorate.

Best of luck.

Joe Said:

Career Advice...if you would...pretty please...?

We Answered:

Career planning is a deliberate process of knowing WHO we are so that we can be sure WHERE we want to go or WHAT we want to be at some defined point in the future. It involves an analysis of career/job options that are new to you. Career analysis is based on accurate, valid and timely information from --- reading, interviewing primary resources persons and direct observation of those persons while doing their job.

Here are some sites that can help you plan your career.

Job Hunters Bible - My favorite. I have taught their system to hundreds of people with great results. Richard N. Bolles, America's dean of Career Consultants, heads the company and is also the author of the book, 'What Color Is Your Parachute.' This book should be available in your public library.
http://www.JobHuntersBible.com

CareerPlanner.Com
http://www.careerplanner.com/

CareerBuilder.Com
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/J…

Careers for the ‘People Person’
http://www.learningandlife.com/options/t…

U. S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://www.bls.gov/oco/

The Princeton Review Career Quiz - Free. A brief 24-part questionnaire related to the Birkman Method, with intriguing career suggestions.
http://www.review.com/career/careerquizh…

The RHETI Test - Free. Related to the Enneagram
http:/www.9types.com/

Tests for Sale

Analyze My Career - Aptitude tests, personality tests, occupation interests, entrepreneurial index.
http://www.AnalyzeMyCareer.com

John Holland's Self-Directed Search
http://www.self-directed=search.com/

Other Career Tests and Sites
http://www.assessment.com/
http://web.tickle.com/take/online-career…
http://careerplanning.about.com/mbody.ht…
http://www.ncda.org/

Peace and every blessing!

Virgil Said:

occupational therapy?

We Answered:

Yes, you can get a doctorate in OT. There are a number of programs throughout the US that offer this. (Check out www.aota.org if you are interested.) Getting your doctorate is worth it if you want to teach, but not really worth the money and effort if you just plan on being a clinical practioner. In fact, it may make it harder to get a job as a clinical practioner because you would be too expensive to hire as an entry-level therapist.

If I were you, I would just stick with your master's for now because it is the best bet for clinical practice. Plus, if you want to teach, you still can do some limited teaching with your master's at the technocal college level and as a part-time or adjunct faculty at most colleges. If full-time teaching is your ultimate goal, by all means go and get your doctorate!

You also asked where the demand for OT's is the highest in the US. Well, according to job postings around the US, most of the open positions are on the eastern and western coasts of the country (a lot in Florida and the New Englad states). Most of these openings are in outpatient rehab and long-term care. As the baby-boomers age, they will be demanding more therapy services both in hospitals and nursing homes. The trend with OT is to see a bigger demand on the coasts that slowly works inward toward the midsection of the country. However, with the recent move to a required master's degree, there will be shortages of OT's all over. Right now and within the next few years will be a really good time to be looking for a job as an OT!!!

Good luck to you. I hope you find what you are looking for.