Carl Said:

career in occupational therapy?

We Answered:

Your best bet is to set up a meeting with someone in this career field, tell them you're interested in it and want to know some stuff. Ask them their salary and such. Most will be completely honest with you.

I've found sites and books for my career (day care owner) to vary from $36,000 to $80,000. That's a huge difference so I talked to owners and found that on a bad year you'll still make at least $55,000.

For really basic and generalized information check out a local college's course guide catalog. It'll give you a rough idea of the wages right now.

Rose Said:

Occupational Therapy vs. Physical Therapy?

We Answered:

I disagree with both previous posts. The job market for PTs and OTs is great right now (certainly, there might be regional variations), but I can't get recruiters to stop calling me. A PT who is working making pizza's isn't trying really hard to get to get a job!

They are probably pretty similar in terms of stress, schedule, etc. PTs have a VERY slight advantage over OTs in terms of salary and job availability.

I would really encourage you to observe both.

Kathy Said:

Occupational Therapy Question?

We Answered:

I am an OT major! When I first got to school I had no idea what it was even about. I picked it because OT's are in such high demand and the awesome starting out salary. I recently received an offer through a local hospital. They offered to pay the rest of my tuition to finish my degree and sign a 2 year contract with them. I think its a great major considering most people in the economy are getting laid off and salary cuts but I have a job already lined up! I fell in love with it when I started volunteering at hospitals in my city. I recently had a patient who was 5yrs old and fell of his bike. He had brain damage and I taught him how to tie his shoes again...The poor boy was so proud. It was very rewarding just watching his parents and him get to this point. I def suggest it. If you are still not sure try volunteering and getting a hands on look. Most of your biology classes will count towards OT anyway so you are not that far behind.

Veronica Said:

Should i become an occupational therapist?

We Answered:

The job itself is extremely valuable to the people it helps, their families, and society. It helps the birth disabled , accident victims and wounded military, among others. The money depends on the extent of your education from bachelor's degree, to master's degree, to doctorate. With the doctorate you become involved in the research that lets this profession move forward. In my career as a psychologist, I don't think I ever actually met an incompetent occupational therapist. They are right up there with speech pathologists in my personal ranking system.

Andrew Said:

Any recommendations for an Occupational Therapy staffing agency?

We Answered:

Hey. I graduated this past may and I signed on with a travel company so I only have experience with the one that I work for. www.medicalsolutions.com It's a good company and my agent is really helpful and honest about stuff. I am on my first assignment (I'm nearly through) and the money is great, the facility is nice, etc, etc. I don't think they offer tuition reimbursement. But they do pay for airfare, rental car, apartment, etc. It all comes out of your stipend that the facility is paying to acquire you.
I will say one thing though; many places that hire travelers expect the new hires to get in the swing of things immediately. You probably won't have someone showing you the ropes and that can be really hard as a new grad. I was fortunate that the place I got hired at was able and willing to show me some of the ropes. But I definitely feel like I would be learning more if I had been hired at a regular non travel job.
Anyways feel free to shoot me a message or leave contact info on here if you want to know any particulars about traveling, my company, anything like that. Because I'm pretty much in your shoes right now, just a couple steps ahead of ya :)