Statement: Address why you selected OT as a career and how an Occupational Therapy degree relates to your immediate and long term professional goals. Describe how your personal, educational, and professional background will help you to achieve your goals.
-This essay has to be 1.5-2 pages long, single spaced. Max 7500 characteristics including spaced
-What to do throughout essay: want to briefly state the important experiences, pick an example and explain what you learned/what you gains from experience/how do the skill you learned relate and help you in the OT world.
**PLEASE take the time to read through my notes.!! This essay is really important.
Possible Outline Summary:
1. My story (personal experience)= The experience that made me became interested in the healthcare field.
-Need thesis
2. How I found OT= through a research project
3. My immediate and long term goals
4. Undergrad school (educational experience) = anatomy
5. Lifeguard (professional experience) = observation
6. Caregiver (professional experience) = observe to connect
7. Observation Hours in Pt outpatient setting= used my past experiences to observe and connect with patients.
-learned how to interacting with patients of all ages
-experience what its like working with different healthcare professionals
-during treatment I pick up on the patients symptoms, found out he had the same condition as me. Created a special connection
8. School-based OT Internship at elementary, middle and high school= applied all of my knowledge to make the most out this experience
10. How my personal, professional and educational experiences relate to goals/ how do these experiences will make unique in the OT field. Tying everything together
11. Conclusion= summarize, reword thesis
(I wrote down a million suggestions down below, if you have better ideas, feel free to delete what I put and add what you think is best)
- My Story:
(I need a strong and powerful attention grabbing introduction. I would like to talk about my medical condition but its important to use it ask a strength and not a weakness. Would like to make my story short and sweet by only including relevant powerful information/take out the fluff that will help me reference it throughout my essay. I briefly listed possible idea’s to talk about. I’m not good at wording things, so no need to use my exact wording. I put down a bunch of ideas, so only include what you think is important.)
-Wednesday 3rd November 2010 was the day when everything changed for me (I was in a car accident and had to go to the hospital because of my dislocated shoulder. (Was thinking this could be a good attention grabber)
-Whenever they tried putting my shoulder back in, it would just fall back out of place. No doctor knew what to do with me, so they transferred me to DuPont hospital. That is where I got diagnosed with a rare chronic illness)
-Growing up, my life consisted of braces, sprains, and pain with no one being able to explain to me as to why. (Never addressed by doctors)
-As a child, people in school though I was “faking injuries”, “being dramatic”
-Comparing myself to others: All I wanted was to just be normal, felt “hopeless”
-After the diagnosis, doctors told me I had to quit sports/ and basically avoid do anything that could possibly lead to injury. Being a kid, I was crushed. Sports were my life and passion.
- There is no cure, could only manage symptoms with physical activity/surgery/pain meds= The fear, frustration, loneliness, shame, and anger that chronic pain would often weigh heavier on me than the actual pain.
-This diagnosis has forced me to make many changes to all aspects of my life.
-I had two choices, I could give up and let this take over my life or accept my chronic illness.
-For the longest time, I didn’t accept it. It took me some time to see the difference between the two, but when learning to accept was the key to my success
I learned that giving up is limiting while acceptance is freeing.
Having this optimistic mindset allowed me to accept. Accepting meaning “I cant do that, but I can do this instead”. I found my own definition of normal. My unrealistic goal of getting rid of my disability change to a realist goal being I can manage these symptoms to live a fulfilling life.
-I accepted it and now I embrace it. Instead of giving up, I found solutions. I listen, learn and grow. I found ways to modify or adapt to be able to do the the things I wanted to do. I took that negative energy to drive though it, thrive through it and now encourage others through it.
-I began my Physical Therapy sessions. It was a slow process of building endurance and strength. Started to feel a change in my body. Started working out more and more. I put in the work/ drive and dedication and felt the power. It was this drive and dedication that allowed me to achieve my goal to live a fulfilling life. I am now healthier/stronger than ever before. This made me realize that EXS is medicine. (I didn’t want/need to the pain killers)
-Because I was in PT for so long, I learned how to rehab almost any part of my body, shoulder, wrist, ankles, etc This is where I started to have an interest in anatomy
-From there, I wanted to pursue a career that would help rehabilitate people. I thought I wanted to purse PT. But there was still something mission..wanted to expand my horizons. The PT field was unknowingly leading into me into the right direction.
Should I add this to the essay?
-The first step was to come to terms with your my chronic illness/acceptance
-people often have a very different perception of how I think, feel and live each day of my life. well I do have an illness, I am NOT my illness. it is a part of me, an important part that has defined who I have chosen to be. the kind of life I've chosen to live and the kind of mindset that I chose to live by. while many people let their illnesses define them. I chose to redefine my life, which gave me purpose and meaning.
New Section. Case study project: the “spark” to discovering OT
-I feel like I should put this section here but not sure: During my undergrad: I had to create a case study presentation about a specific topic of my choice (like disability/ trauma/ injury/illness). We had to research that topic and come up with a treatment plan. I chose my medical condition as my case study topic.
-While I was doing research I came across occupational therapy and how it can help my condition. (I knew what OT was but I truly didn’t understand it). research gave me a new perspective/understanding of OT as well as my disability.
-This is when the light bulbs went on. It was like I was reading my life story but someone else wrote it. I was hooked. At that moment, I realized I’ve been my own OT throughout my life, problem solving, creating out-of-the box solutions that make life work for me.
(Or When I discovered the importance of occupation in people’s lives, including my own, I knew OT was for me.)
-Once I learned that OT gives you the opportunity to not only treat the injury, but you treat the whole person, I knew I found my calling. I want to empower others by showing them that they have the ability to achieve their goals. I want to show them how to combat their barriers (see ability rather than disability), give them the confidence/techniques/ideas/recourses, to help them gain or regain their freedoms and independence to live their version of a fulfilling life.
New section, goals:
A. Immediate goals (from now and all through grad school) =
-It is a profession that will challenge me and allow me to learn more about myself and about others.
-desire to learn and grow both as an individual and as a team member: I want to learn from everyone, so that when I step into this role, I will be able to help client feel and truly be the best version of themself.
-My goal is to learn as much as possible so that I can develop the needed skills/ grow into a professional. Take my passions for this perfection focused/guided in the best way possible.
-Commit to become a lifelong learner to enhance my personal and professional development
-develop professional development to improve the outcome for the pediatric population
-I want to take any and every opportunity I get to gain a deeper knowledge into OT field. Learn to grow:develop the needed skills/ grow into a professional
-I am determined to maximize my full potential
B. Long term goal (Once I graduate) = become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist
becoming a Pediatric Occupational Therapist will not only allow me to work in a field that would benefit from my knowledge and experience, but will provide me the tools to creative unique innovative therapies. These tools will help children see a new outlook and ultimately guide them to success.
What I mean by that:
-I want to be the person to help. I want to bridge the gap= between my generation and the next go. the children today and tomorrow will have someone like me. Learn as much as possible and put all of that into practice, mature in the profession, learn what i know and use it to teach the next generation.
-When I graduate= my passion will tempered with education and experience. Learning from experience, so i can keep learning and pass on.
-OT is an unique ever-changing field in our world today. OT has a wide spectrum of opportunities available. This give me the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding/knowledge of my profession. Becoming a pediatric OT= use these skills and knowledge to explore my fullest potential through a meaningful career.
New section. Educational Experience: WCU
My bachelor degree in exercise science has given me the knowledge in human anatomy and physiology, x, y and z. Added extra PSY classes tht help me gain relevant knowledge
-Need to elaborate how it help me gain skills that relate to becoming an OT/ these skills will help me become a successful OT
-was able to juggle work, school and observation hours= motivated, hard work ethic, good time management skills
New section: Professional experience
(The order: Lifeguarding, caregiver, observing 2 PT facilities, observing K-12th grade students in a school-based OT setting)
1. Lifeguard: Rewind back to high school: First real job: lifeguard for 3 years
(If possible, I would like to carry out the “constant unfiltered observation” idea throughout my essay and connect how i use it in my other experiences/ how it will help me in the OT world)
-Learned a skill that will carry throughout my life= learned how to constant unfiltered observation, nothing breaks my constant unfiltered observation
-As a lifeguard, I was constantly observing the swimmers and the environment around me. By doing this, I was able to observe behaviors and hazards that can be stopped or modified to prevent injury and death. Was able to respond calmly, quickly, effectively. Observation is a powerful tool that I will carry with me throughout my life.
Ex. Saving toddler, life or death situation. He walked straight into the pool and sunk to the bottom.
-I don’t have a choice, the minute I see someone in need. I react. You can react in 2 ways: freeze or react. The benefit to me being a lifeguard is knowing because i have been tested, i react,
-My training as a lifeguard has prevented me from ever being able to look away from the human condition.
-This is a benefit in OT= I will be able to observe unfiltered observation, never be able to look away.
-Had a feeling of satisfaction from being a service to my community
-summary lifeguard= allowed me to gain experience on how to observe and react, safety assisting others, these are important skills for my dream career.
2. Child Caregiver: (high school to present)
-Have cared for many different families= worked with kids of all ages
-My role was to ensure the children receive a high level of daily physical, mental and social support. (I see these skill as being a relevant part of an OT work)
-realized I had a niche/passion working for children.
One particular family I would like to focus on in essay
-Background knowledge: Cared for 4 children full time during the summer for the past 4 years and part time during the school year.
-When I started they were 6,7,10, and 14 years of age.
-created a relationship with parents, make them feel like they can trust me (developed good communication stills)
-the parents trusted me with their children, trusted me to have constant unfiltered observation of their children
-I was able to adapt to different needs and situations seamlessly
--In the beginning, the two youngest children were very distant/shy
-I had to find a way to break them up
-Overtime, I was able to break that barrier and get them to open up.
-The parents expected me daily reports of their children, expected me to interact and with that observation, as I spent more time with the children, I learned...The youngest child Mike had behavior problems
As mike started to get more comfortable being around me, I started to pick up on his new behavior. He was very competitive and impulsive. Whenever Mike would lose, he would get extremely frustrated and angry. I took a step back. Realized that it wasn’t about the game. Seeing that change in behavior, I knew there were deeper feelings underneath that need to be expressed. His behavior was his cry for help. I figured out that he looking for validation, he was looking for that relationship. I knew I had to stay calm, cool and collected. Wait to talk until the meltdown is over. Didn’t try to reason with the child when he was upset. Once he cooled down, it was time for me to talk to him. I got down onto his level and then we connected. Trusting, accepting, acknowledging, validating, and empathizing= giving him that attention and that care in the moment made a huge difference. I wasn't agreeing with how he reacted to the situation, but validation/acknowledging his perspective was key. I was able to help him understand his emotions/manage feelings. We then started to come up with ways to problem-solve. Being sensitive, being aware is important as a caregiver (and as someone working in pediatric OT)
What did I learn from this?
I learned that it is that connection/relationship will be the platform of everything else moving forward = safe relationship= trust= build resilience in anything they conquer (you need these skills to become as successful OT)
Observation is a powerful resource= paying attention to the details= the small things that they say and do. Their body language, their reactions. Things that they show us= that is the key , The lens to try and help them.
the things he was doing within his behavior, that was his way to look for help. Need a person to say..ok i see what is going on. I’m here for you
He wanted to hear= i hear you
see someone react behaviorally, It’s important to look beyond the behavior . try and figure out what they are or not doing
deeper feelings underneath that need to be expressed.= but main thing, when you see that change and looking for connection= take step back and realize this kids need more of my support
I learned through trial and error how to connect
-Connection= our role as an OT, important part of what we can do as a healthcare profession
-relates to OT= if the patient is not mentally with you, you cannot address their goals. You have to bring them back and you have to connect in order to do that
-Building this relationship will help make the child feel safe and secure.
NEW SECTION regarding childcare position: I understand the developmental stages of children and the power of play .
*Observing, identifying, and coming up with activists that promote healthy habits, building skills that will help them succeed throughout life.
Examples:
-Making twister out of food coloring foam= learning how to cooperate, being a team sport, learn how to follow the rules.
-I would often take them to the pool= good exercise,
-made print outs of fun learning activities like puzzles, coloring book
-Child didn’t know how to tell time. Came up with an idea: we made a fun craft. Clock. Colored it and used it to teach him how to tell time. He was engaged, made it fun, and he was able to learn.
7. Observation Hours in Pt outpatient setting= used my past experiences to observe and connect with patients.
-On my 1st day, it was super busy= PT just threw me in
-(At this point in time I was still taking my gen-Eds so I didn’t know much about the science behind PT)Worked one on one with patients I never met and presented the exercises to the patients listed in treatment plan. I was forced to take a step out of my comfort zone. Overtime, I was able to demonstrate the proper exercises to the patients. And give them ways to modify/make harder depending on how I saw them perform the exercise (would run it by PT first).
-Once I got more comfortable, the PT would put me on the spot and would ask me what I think he should do, what muscles/bones do I think are involved in the injuries, had to come up with possible exercises for that patient. This taught me how to think quick on my feet. If I were to get the answer wrong the PT would give me hints, so I would be able to figure out the answer. After that he would explain to me why the answer was wrong/how the right answer makes sense. I was able to learn a lot through this.
-experience what its like working with different healthcare professionals
-saw other volunteers just sit around and wait for being what to. didn’t act interested, not willing to learn
-I always be one step ahead of my PT supervisor. Would wipe down tables, helping out PT having to ask. If I saw a patient in the waiting room= greet them, start them with ice or heat
Looking back, taking a leap out of my comfort zone resulted in me learning so much
-started connect with patients, tried to make their experience very personal, would listen to their stories, formed relationships. On my last day, I remember one of the patients (john) went up to my PT supervisor and told him how I had so much potential. I was given the advice to follow my dream. Overall such an awarding experience.
8. School-based OT Internship at elementary, middle and high school= applied all of my prior knowledge/skills to make the most out this experience
- I learned that its all about making process, weather its big or small, improvement is what matters. And at the end of the day, that is what its all about. It’s the best part of the profession.
-I have spent my life conquering barriers many people face today. I personally understood the challenges the students faced, and I wanted to use my own experience and knowledge to help them to success.z
9. How my personal, professional and educational experiences relate to goals/ how do these experiences will make unique in the OT field. Tying everything together
- Working and volunteering in a variety of rehabilitation facilities, I have been exposed to work with individuals of all ages that have a diverse background.
-I have developed the set skills to advocate for my needs. I am the living proof that living a holistic lifestyle will help you achieve the “impossibles”.
-I will continue to learn and grow throughout this process.=To be able to advocate in my community not just for my disability but for all disabilities/illness/traumas.
-gives me the opportunity to view things through a disability awareness lens. And it is this lends that helps me enhance my understanding of the beauty and uniqueness of those around me.
I see the abilities in disability. think of my condition as a platform to bring advocacy and awareness.
-I get the frustration, the anger, but I want to be the person I wish I had growing up, the person to tell me “I can”. The person who would tell me that its okay to feel this way/its okay to fail, but explain to me that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
-show me how to take those emotions and use them as strength to fight.
-I want to be that person. And I will be that person. I am going to be the person who is there to listen, to understand, and to help you become the best version.
10. Conclusion= summarize, reword thesis
My personal experience along with my educational and professional experiences have led and ultimately prepared me to study OT.
-these experiences have shaped my view on the OT I aim to be.
-As an OT, I want to guide the patients to work towards their goals, so they can be the best possible version of themselves.
-Ultimately, I feel I possess the drive, enthusiasm and blank to make a difference.
I have been placed on this earth to serve, educate and advocate wellness through medicine as a Occupational therapist .
Empower children with knowledge, hope, understanding, and a brighter future. No patient is the same and that is why it 's my job to address their needs and use my teaching techniques that best suits their needs.
My unique position= asset in working with patients.
I have a great understanding of the patients’ perspective.