Dianne Said:

what career makes more money a physical therapist or occupational therapist?

We Answered:

They are similar. It really comes down to what you want to do. For either, you need to shadow therapists anyway. The undergrad is similar. They are both graduate degrees. Go to the professional website of each. They are

www.apta.org
www.aota.org

Isaac Said:

I need to speak with an Occupational Therapist regarding career change.?

We Answered:

They are both great careers! I have been an Occupational Therapist for 6 years now and thankfully when I graduated I was in one of the last classes that only needed a Bachelors degree.

The school program for a masters in Occupational Therapy (typically) is a solid three years with classes in the summer. Most programs admit a group of x number of people (mine was 42) and you have class schedule handed to you, meaning you don't get to pick the days or times. The school that I went to was m-thur 8-4 and friday 8-2. Your last semester of the program is 2 six week internships, you work 40+ hours a week, have projects to complete for your clinical instructor, and no you typically do not get paid. You also have to pay for about 12 credits to the college for the internship.

The program to be an Occupational Therapy Assistant is set up like the Masters Occupational Therapy program except is a shorter program and only a six week internship.

I would be concerned with a 4 hour drive because the programs require a lot of study time. I know that with our study group we studied at least 3 hours a day and no social life on the weekends. I would research the difference between being a therapist and an assistant and decide what would be best suited for you. I know some awesome assistants but I know that some of them get frustrated by the restrictions.

As far as school loans...it's only money and you can pay them back when you are working :) E-mail me if you have more questions.

Joe Said:

is an occupational therapist a good career choice?

We Answered:

Yes. To be a full occupational therapist requires a masters degree in my state. To be an assistant requires an associate degree.

You couldn't do wrong with a career in the health care field.

Nursing. Pharmacy. Physical Therapy

U.S. Occupational Handbook - it's available online has info on careers - check it out please.

Occupational therapy helps patients with daily living. There is acute (short-term) and chronic. A friend of mine is doing acute. Acute is helping people get back into doing things that we take for granted. They had an injury or a severe mental breakdown or an illness. You teach them how to take care of themselves basically. If you are a full occupational therapist then you come up with a plan to get them back to their lives before the accident or illness. You will use games and the computer sometimes or often. It's like teaching in some ways.

Julian Said:

Tips on gettting into a career in occupational therapist?

We Answered:

Talk to your adviser; that's why s/he is there at your college. Have him/her explore all your options. Are there currently jobs available for someone with your degree? If not, finishing your masters might be the right choice. Can you even begin your master's without experience? Do you even know that you will like being a OC-Therapist without doing the actual work? Lots more questions, but talk to the experts at your college.