I thought about a lot of different careers in healthcare before OT. Psychology, neuropsychology, medicine. But when I heard about OT, I had this strong feeling like that is what I’m meant to do (and I know that sounds corny and overstated, but it really did happen like that).

For starters, I chose an undergraduate degree in biopsychology because of a joint interest in physical and mental health. I had also volunteered in both areas (at an adaptive fitness centre and a crisis line). As an OT, I won’t have to choose between the two - I get to see people as wholes and support them in whichever way is needed for them to achieve their goals. Wherever I work, whether it’s in hand therapy or tertiary mental health, I feel like I can (and should) address all aspects of a person’s health as an occupational therapist (and I love that).

OT’s also very practical. It helped me to imagine what a typical day at work would be like, and what I would get to do with people in different careers. I felt like helping people achieve tangible, meaningful goals would be a great way to spend my days. In a lot of settings, you also get to spend more time with your clients than in other professions, really getting to know people and what’s important to them. I hear over and over from OTs that they love their jobs, and if you spend a lifetime doing something, I think that’s pretty important.

Lastly, many of OT’s core values reflect my own personal values. That society be inclusive, that people have equal opportunities to participate in the activities they want or need to do (regardless of age, ability, gender, SES…), that health is more than the absence of disease. Meeting a classroom full of like-minded people continually assures me that I’m in the right place. I feel like I’m surrounded by some of the warmest, most intelligent people everyday, and this extends to the broader OT community.

Thanks for asking this question. It’s helpful to reflect back on why I chose OT and why I still love it today. Ultimately, I think I could have been happy in a number of careers (like a lot of people), but I’m happy with what I chose and where I am today. Wishing you luck with your own decision ☺︎