| The first step to a career in occupational therapy is | | | | You must make sure that the program you choose is |
| learning how to become an occupational therapist, | | | | accredited; otherwise, it will be of little or no value in the |
| including the education, certification and job hunt. Your | | | | job market or if you decide to continue your education |
| duties as an occupational therapist may include | | | | later on. Occupational therapists in the United States |
| rehabilitating disabled workers, retraining individuals to | | | | must have a bachelor of science degree in |
| improve their quality of life and advising offices and | | | | occupational therapy and pass the National Board for |
| work sites on ergonomics and workplace design. This | | | | Certification in Occupational Therapy. During your |
| is a rewarding career where you'll work with people | | | | education, you will be better off if you assume you |
| hands on to make their lives better. If you have a | | | | can't get all of your experience out of books. You |
| caring nature and a strong work ethic, this might be the | | | | must be proactive about internships, volunteer jobs and |
| ideal job for you. | | | | part-time work that provide relevant experience for |
| If you're thinking of becoming an occupational therapist, | | | | your future career. |
| you'll need to start by taking classes in anatomy, | | | | Once you are a registered occupational therapist, then |
| anthropology, human development, physics, psychology, | | | | you can decide what kind of environment you want to |
| sociology and other related subjects. You may also | | | | work in. There are occupational therapy jobs |
| want to volunteer to work with an occupational | | | | everywhere from hospitals and clinics to private |
| therapist to see if you like the job. A part time job at a | | | | offices and physical therapy centers. The pay is good, |
| hospital will also give you good experience that will help | | | | with a median salary of about $67,000 for this |
| when you begin your career. Then if you still feel that | | | | profession. If you have what it takes to finish the |
| occupational therapy is right for you, it is time to look at | | | | schooling and you work well with people, this could be |
| local programs to begin your education and training. | | | | your future career. |