Goals Toward Becoming an Occupational Therapist

1. To attend a graduate school and obtain a masters degree in occupational therapy a. Research occupational therapy sites where I can volunteer at b. Research graduate schools for occupational therapy programs and know what their required course work is, deadlines, GPA requirements, and necessary materials for admittance by May 31, 2013 c. Acquire more occupational therapy volunteer and observation hours by contacting clinics through email and expressing interest in volunteering at their site or applying for vacant occupational therapy tech positions d. Get at least another 40 hours of experience by volunteering 4 hours a week for 10 weeks by the June 30, 2013 or obtaining a part-time job as an occupational therapy tech e. Figure out remaining courses needed to fulfill graduate school requirements f. Take KIN 325K, PSY 333D, BIO 365S + BIO 165U over the summer at UT g. Take technical writing class during summer at a community college because not offered at UT h. Talk to two professors and two work supervisors about being positive references for my graduate school application by August 1, 2013 i. Obtain a recommendations letter and a review for my graduate school application from my supervising occupational therapist when I begin my graduate school applications on August 15, 2013 j. Write a personal statement and have it reviewed by the career services office at my school as well as my resume k. Apply for occupational therapy programs at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas Womens University Dallas, and UTMB l. If not accepted to any programs, begin looking for jobs in the field of HDFS, specifically pre-school programs where I can teach m. If not accepted for any preschool education jobs, apply for jobs as a nanny n. Enroll in a graduate program taking into account location, tuition, tuition assistance, and cost of living o. Work very diligently throughout all my years of graduate school aiming to get all As, focusing on pediatric occupational therapy p. Research locations and sites for fieldwork rotations q. Study for the National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam r. Pass the exam s. Complete my field work and graduate with a Masters of Occupational Therapy 2. Work as an occupational therapist a. Apply for occupational therapy positions in clinics. Location will be the most important consideration then pay. Population of interest will also be a deciding

factor. I am most interested in working with low-income populations and minority groups. A place that is in accordance with my philosophy will also be important. b. Work with children with developmental delays, offering positive guidance, warmth, sensitivity, and interest in their development c. Work hard to develop close relationships with co-workers and make an effort to fit in with and find commonalities with them, help them when I can d. Volunteer in the community and organizations that offer help to low-income populations e. Work to get promoted within job to a supervising position f. If not promoted, look for other opportunities to grow that offer more responsibilities g. Work as an occupational therapist for at least 4 years 3. Get my Ph.D. in occupational therapy a. Research application requirements for Ph.D. programs b. Sustain relationships with past professors and mentors who can be positive references for my Ph.D. application c. Apply for doctorate programs at UTHSC at San Antonio, TWU, and UTMB d. Complete the required coursework for the doctorate program e. Conduct research in an area of interest and write my dissertation f. Graduate with a Ph.D.