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Occupational Therapy - Msc (Pre registration) - Experience/shadowing - Derby Uni
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I am looking to apply to this course at Derby Uni starting September 2021.
I am a mature student (42) and looking for a career change (previously IT). I recently completed a Degree in Health and Social Care but have not yet worked in the field. I was planning to move near Derby in June of this year and to seek an opportunity to shadow or to apply for a support worker role working with people with Learning disabilities or Mental health. My move has now been delayed until December. I got a First on my degree while working and bringing up a family so I hope that this proves I have the ability to be self-motivated.
My Mum is disabled and I was her carer for a while and accompanied her on some OP appointments; this is the only exposure I have. I have read several books on the subject but I am concerned that during Covid-19 it is almost impossible to get the opportunity to shadow a therapist and I know several Universities expect this.
Will this go against me when applying for the course? What can I do to show that I am very serious about this course and that I have done all I can to learn more about the profession?
I feel like time is running out for me and if I don't get accepted in September, it may be difficult for me, financially, to pursue it further down the line. However, there is really nothing else that I want to do apart from getting on this course and getting qualified.
Any guidance, much appreciated.
I am a mature student (42) and looking for a career change (previously IT). I recently completed a Degree in Health and Social Care but have not yet worked in the field. I was planning to move near Derby in June of this year and to seek an opportunity to shadow or to apply for a support worker role working with people with Learning disabilities or Mental health. My move has now been delayed until December. I got a First on my degree while working and bringing up a family so I hope that this proves I have the ability to be self-motivated.
My Mum is disabled and I was her carer for a while and accompanied her on some OP appointments; this is the only exposure I have. I have read several books on the subject but I am concerned that during Covid-19 it is almost impossible to get the opportunity to shadow a therapist and I know several Universities expect this.
Will this go against me when applying for the course? What can I do to show that I am very serious about this course and that I have done all I can to learn more about the profession?
I feel like time is running out for me and if I don't get accepted in September, it may be difficult for me, financially, to pursue it further down the line. However, there is really nothing else that I want to do apart from getting on this course and getting qualified.
Any guidance, much appreciated.
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#2
Hello, sorry I cannot offer any advice but I feel the exact same and am very worried I don’t have enough work experience to apply. Do you have any update on your work experience situation
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#3
Hello,I can't speak specifically for Derby, but I have managed to secure a place for the same Msc course elsewhere without any shadowing experience. All universities are aware that the Covid 19 situation is going to complicate matters, and for me I found that getting in contact with Occupational therapists via email or zoom was sufficient. It's a good idea to try and speak to a couple OT's with different specialities if you can 
.A depth of knowledge and enthusiasm for the course goes a long way in the interview, and reading your post, I dont think you would have too much trouble . Just ensure you research not only Occupational therapy as a profession, but also the facilities and modules they have. This will allow them to recognise your enthusiasm for their course specifically.I hope this helped ease your stress a little .
.A depth of knowledge and enthusiasm for the course goes a long way in the interview, and reading your post, I dont think you would have too much trouble . Just ensure you research not only Occupational therapy as a profession, but also the facilities and modules they have. This will allow them to recognise your enthusiasm for their course specifically.I hope this helped ease your stress a little .
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#4
(Original post by Crabdemon)
Hello,I can't speak specifically for Derby, but I have managed to secure a place for the same Msc course elsewhere without any shadowing experience. All universities are aware that the Covid 19 situation is going to complicate matters, and for me I found that getting in contact with Occupational therapists via email or zoom was sufficient. It's a good idea to try and speak to a couple OT's with different specialities if you can.A depth of knowledge and enthusiasm for the course goes a long way in the interview, and reading your post, I dont think you would have too much trouble . Just ensure you research not only Occupational therapy as a profession, but also the facilities and modules they have. This will allow them to recognise your enthusiasm for their course specifically.I hope this helped ease your stress a little .
Hello,I can't speak specifically for Derby, but I have managed to secure a place for the same Msc course elsewhere without any shadowing experience. All universities are aware that the Covid 19 situation is going to complicate matters, and for me I found that getting in contact with Occupational therapists via email or zoom was sufficient. It's a good idea to try and speak to a couple OT's with different specialities if you can
.A depth of knowledge and enthusiasm for the course goes a long way in the interview, and reading your post, I dont think you would have too much trouble . Just ensure you research not only Occupational therapy as a profession, but also the facilities and modules they have. This will allow them to recognise your enthusiasm for their course specifically.I hope this helped ease your stress a little .
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#5
I had a very good chat with the one lady, and we mostly focussed on her role within her specialism, what an average day looked like, how it compared to other specialisms (she had worked in a few areas) etc. It really helped to gain a sense of how varied the job can be! What came across with every person I contacted was an immense enthusiasm for their job, regardless of how many years they had been doing it. You can definitely keep it informal, just use it as an opportunity to improve your own understanding .
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#6
Hi, this was really useful to read! I am also looking to apply to study OT, i'm currently a 3rd year psychology student. I just wanted to ask if you talked about your experience talking to OT's in your personal statement?I currently work within the mental health and healthcare field and have had some experiences working with OT and carry out similar tasks but I haven't got experience shadowing OT. However, my mother has had surgeries and lots of OT's used to come around our house and do modifications. I've also spoke with many OT's on linkedin. I'm just a bit worried that its not enough experience.
(Original post by Crabdemon)
I had a very good chat with the one lady, and we mostly focussed on her role within her specialism, what an average day looked like, how it compared to other specialisms (she had worked in a few areas) etc. It really helped to gain a sense of how varied the job can be! What came across with every person I contacted was an immense enthusiasm for their job, regardless of how many years they had been doing it. You can definitely keep it informal, just use it as an opportunity to improve your own understanding.
I had a very good chat with the one lady, and we mostly focussed on her role within her specialism, what an average day looked like, how it compared to other specialisms (she had worked in a few areas) etc. It really helped to gain a sense of how varied the job can be! What came across with every person I contacted was an immense enthusiasm for their job, regardless of how many years they had been doing it. You can definitely keep it informal, just use it as an opportunity to improve your own understanding
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#7
Hey From my experience of the application process, I would think that people with shadowing experience this year will be in the minority. I found that for me, while I wasnt able to so any shadowing, speaking to various OT's and giving them examples of how your personality would suit the job was enough given the Covid-19 situation.
I did briefly mention my chats with OTs alongside any relevant and similar experiences in my personal statement. I went into more detail during my interview Hope this helps
From my experience of the application process, I would think that people with shadowing experience this year will be in the minority. I found that for me, while I wasnt able to so any shadowing, speaking to various OT's and giving them examples of how your personality would suit the job was enough given the Covid-19 situation. I did briefly mention my chats with OTs alongside any relevant and similar experiences in my personal statement. I went into more detail during my interview
Hope this helps
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