Here’s a switch: a “how-to” article about having some fun experiences before you finish your occupational therapy assistant (OTA) healthcare education. Thanks to your two-year OTA degree, you’re well-equipped for a professional career in a high-demand health care field. Just be sure to make time for these 6 non-school activities. They are fun to do and deliver a life-long benefit.
1. Join the club
There’s bound to be a civic club or special-interest organization that cares about the same things you do. Now’s a good time to explore the options. Once you’re settled into a routine for your occupational therapy assistant education, you can start factoring in activities that give you a sense of accomplishment.
You can bond with students who are focused on their healthcare education by discussing best practices in occupational therapy, or you can find a club that’s meeting the needs of an underserved population.
2. Become that friend everyone wants to have
The pace of learning in your occupational therapy assistant education can lead you to tune out everything but your responsibilities. That can be a good thing, but you may miss out on other opportunities.
Be that super friend that everyone wants to have. Wherever you are, be the first to introduce yourself and show interest in what’s going on with fellow students, neighbors, or acquaintances. You never know who’ll end up having an enormous impact on your career.
3. Volunteer for a cause you believe in
Those who spend some time in a volunteer activity say there’s no better feeling than helping others. So, make time to find that one cause that excites you and gives you that feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction.
Chances are your college has connections to local volunteer opportunities. Volunteering while getting your healthcare education is excellent preparation for serving the community in which you’ll live.
4. Get out of your comfort zone
Becoming the best you can be is a lot of work, but challenging yourself is a whole lot of fun, too. The more you try new things, the easier it gets and the more fun it becomes.
If you tend to go at things alone, make it your mission to establish new friendships wherever you are or try an activity you wouldn’t usually do. (For example, learning another language always comes in handy when you’re in a career serving people of all ages and cultures.
Likewise, if you like going from one activity to the next, try scheduling some self-improvement time. Knowing yourself more completely will enhance your quality of life.
5. Share your knowledge of the OT profession
Most people may not know the many ways occupational therapy (OT) helps make life better for those with developmental, emotional, physical, or sensory challenges.
Imagine the good you can do by sharing what you’ve learned in your occupational therapy assistant education with parents, school and church groups, or at community or neighborhood events.
6. Become a mentor to someone with similar interests
Somewhere in your community is a young person with a desire to help people and a distinct talent for mastering technology. Just like the younger version of you.
Be on the lookout for someone in who’s fascinated by the type of career you’ve chosen, then share the excitement and challenges of a becoming an OTA professional with them. Give them the inside story about your choice in healthcare education. You’ll love helping shape the next generation of OTAs – and have fun in the process!
How to Begin an Occupational Therapy Assistant Education
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, health care focused university located in Overland Park, Kansas. CUKC is an ideal place to begin your healthcare education.
The accelerated A.A.S. in Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a comprehensive OTA program consisting of 16 core courses and four-to-five months of supervised fieldwork education. Our central goal is to get you ready to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
In the CUKC OTA program, hands-on instruction is the norm, aided by experienced OTA faculty and an on-campus simulated living quarters lab.
Completing a healthcare education with an OTA degree takes as little as two years. CUKC has classes starting in spring, summer, and fall every year.
Two ways to begin: Request more information here, or learn all about getting your occupational therapy assistant education and your career options as an OTA by downloading this free ebook.
