Throughout my education in the professional Occupational Therapy program at Dominican University of California, I hope to continue exploring the world of Occupational Therapy. Within this program, I plan to develop my practical skills, increase my understanding of diverse populations by becoming culturally competent, and improve my ability to think critically. Ultimately, the development of these skills will allow me to not only thrive in the healthcare field, but it will also help me to develop the techniques necessary for implementing client-centered care in my future practice. The courses that I will be taking within this program will undoubtedly support me and my effort to become a successful entry-level OT.
During my time at Dominican, I will be able to explore the following curricular themes:
Occupation-Based and Client-Centered Practice
Research and Evidence Based Interventions
Psychosocial Dimensions of Occupation
Cultural and Political Contexts of Occupation
Community-Focused Occupations
The application of each of these themes within the courses I will be taking at Dominican will certainly allow me to identify the appropriate therapy techniques in my future practice that will be most beneficial to my clients. By increasing my knowledge of these curricular themes through the professional OT program, I will be able to provide my future clients with evidence-based and adequate therapy sessions that engage them by incorporating occupations that are unique and meaningful to them.
Looking over Dominican’s curriculum design, it is extremely apparent that this program will prepare me for authentic situations as an OT following graduation. During year one, I will be able to focus on the exploration of this profession by learning about the history of OT and foundational concepts. My goal during year one is to challenge myself to apply the knowledge gained through course curriculum to my practice while working with clients. Already in my current coursework, I have been able to apply the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) to case studies which has allowed me to acquire the knowledge that each client needs individualized plans to achieve success. Furthermore, during year two I will be able to gain competence in diverse settings and practice areas through classes like “Occupations of Children and Adolescents” and “Occupations of Adults and Seniors”. I hope to incorporate my critical thinking and practical skills to allow me to provide my clients with opportunities to flourish in clinical and community settings. Lastly, in year three I will be able to reach achievement by applying what I have learned to my own research. Through Special Topics courses, I hope to further my understanding of different areas of OT that are most intriguing to me. With continued fieldwork, my goal is to improve skills like documentation, clinical reasoning, and adaptation so I can prosper in my future jobs.
As an OT student, I look forward to the next three years of the professional OT program at Dominican. I will stay motivated throughout this program as I am very dedicated and passionate about this career path. I look forward to taking courses like “OT Fundamentals” and “Culture and Ethics in Occupational Therapy”, as I believe that these two courses will help me to gain even more understanding of OT practice and will allow me to appreciate and acknowledge the different dimensions of an individual's life. In order to follow along this roadmap to becoming an OT, I plan to challenge myself, remain open to different opportunities, and actively engage in each of my courses and fieldwork. Upon graduating, my desire is to return home to Roseville, California to be close to my family and to dedicate myself to my practice working in a pediatric setting.