Job satisfaction is an important part of life. Very few people want a career that leaves them eager for the end of the day and counting the hours until the weekend. Unfortunately, many young adults choose to seek professions that they find aren’t as fulfilling as they had suspected. Maybe they didn’t do enough research into the field. It’s also possible that they have simply outgrown their current career.
For whatever reason, many people find themselves looking for a new career after already experiencing one field. And while it can be frightening to consider making such a drastic life change, changing to a career you are passionate about can be incredibly rewarding.
Choosing to return to school to pursue an occupational therapy assistant career can be both rewarding and fulfilling for many. Consider these points if you are looking for a new career.
There’s a difference between dissatisfaction in your career and finding a different job.
Before you commit to a second career as an occupational therapy assistant, make sure you are in need of a new career and not just a new job. You don’t want to go back to school, train and start a whole new life only to find yourself missing your past field. You may just find that you are unsatisfied in your current position and simply need a new company to work for.
Look for these signs to determine if you are ready for a change in careers:
- You’ve worked for a couple of different companies and still aren’t satisfiedYou find yourself going through the motions at your jobYou feel no pride in your workYou actively dream about working in a completely different fieldYou wonder how your current skills would translate to other positions
Research any new careers you are contemplating. Many of the skills you currently use can translate to a new position, and you may find that you enjoy a general field, such as marketing, but don’t enjoy the position you hold.
Look for the traits you are seeking in a new career.
The last thing you want is to start a second career that you end up unhappy at. Make a list of the traits you wish to have in a career. Do you prefer working in a more creative field, or something more analytical? Are you seeking a place where you work individually or with a team? Do you want to work with clients or be behind the scenes?
Working in the occupational therapy field as a second career allows you to employ many skills and work in a fulfilling setting. Those who work as occupational therapy assistants are able to:
- Work with a variety of different clients on a daily basisWork with occupational therapists to execute plansHelp clients adapt to injuries, disabilities and developmental problems to live functional livesWork in one of the best jobs of 2014, according to CareerCast
Get the best education for your new career.
Once you have decided on which career path to follow, you will have to look at the education required to start that career.
Some career switches are easier and don’t require returning to school. You may find that your experience and previous education allows for more movement from one field to the other. For example, you may be able to go from a career in public relations to a career in writing. However, if you are looking at a completely different field, you may have to go back to school. After all, you can’t exactly learn how to work in a medical setting while writing press releases.
If you choose to seek a career as an occupational therapy assistant, you can attend St. Catherine University to earn your OTA degree online. You will complete your classes in an engaging online platform, practice your skills in labs and work with real patients during your fieldwork. St. Catherine will leave you completely prepared for your new career as an occupational therapy assistant.
Why should you choose a career as an occupational therapy assistant?
Those who have already worked in another field understand how much work goes into developing a career, including building a strong professional network. You will hold an advantage over newer students who aren’t familiar with building networks to improve their chances of landing a job.
Those who work in occupational therapy get a unique opportunity to work closely with patients of all ages and help them adapt to illnesses and overcome new hardships. Many college-aged students choose a major based on future financial growth instead of following their passion. As a second-career student, you have already experienced how a career can be unsatisfying, and you can now follow your dreams and help people.
Pursuing an education in occupational therapy means you will work in one of the top jobs of 2014. Occupational therapy is a flexible career that allows you to work in plenty of different work environments and experience one of the least-stressful careers after only 16 months of study.
If an occupational therapy assistant career sounds like a good fit for you, take our "Should I Be an Occupational Therapy Assistant?" quiz.
Are you ready to pursue your new dream? Talk to an advisor today about enrolling in St. Catherine’s online OTA program.
