Why Students Choose Occupational Therapy as a Career

Abstract

To recruit students to occupational therapy, we need to know what prospective students seek in careers. A survey consisting of an attitude inventory was sent to 403 current occupational therapy students with a response rate of 54%. Earlier research identified that students had primarily altruistic goals in selecting occupational therapy as a profession, and this study continued to find that students wanted to help others; however, this was not a predictor of their favoring the profession. A factor analysis of the inventory revealed that students chose occupational therapy as a career because they liked the salaries, nationwide job availability, regular hours, and prestige that is associated with the profession. Students were more positive about the profession if they had experience working in occupational therapy departments, and 40% reported that no specific persons had influenced their career decision.

Why do students choose the medical radiation science profession?

“…Personal experience in the field influenced career choice and careers advisors had little impact. 8 The findings of recent studies on radiography and radiation therapy students are similar to earlier studies as there are many shared factors affecting career choice. These include the opportunity to help people, employment opportunities and technology.…”

“…Studies by Stewart, Pool and Winn (2002) and Rozier, Gilkeson and Hamilton (1992) on occupational therapy and physiotherapy students indicated that most students chose the career with the goal of helping others. 5,8 In addition, a study by Vosper, Price and Ashmore (2005) of radiography students found that the desire to help people was a highly motivating factor in career decisions. 2 Adams and Vann (2002) showed that female radiation therapy students chose the career to help patients.…”

“…However, male radiation therapy students in a study by Adams and Vann (2002) indicated that financial security was the main incentive to enter the profession. 4 Payne (1998), Rozier, Gilkeson and Hamilton (1992) found that the most important factor for choosing radiography was the availability of jobs. 6,7 In this study, the availability of jobs was not the most important factor when deciding to enter the profession.…”

“…In addition, the most important sources of students' career information were family members, a hospital visit or tour, and other health professionals. 7 A study by Rozier, Gilkeson and Hamilton (1992) in the USA assessed the reasons for choosing occupational therapy as a career. The results of the study indicated that most students chose occupational therapy as a career with the goal of helping others.…”

Junior occupational therapists' continuity of employment: what influences success?

“…Positive experiences were linked to retention in this study, while negative experiences were linked to attrition, echoing aspiring therapists' traditional desire to 'help people' (Rozier et al, 1992). The potential reasons for these findings vary.…”