Tell us about yourself and the journey that led you to become an occupational therapist.
Hi, my name is Manpreet also known as Manni, my favourite food is sushi and I love exploring the outdoors.
My occupational therapy journey started in lockdown when I was not fulfilled in my previous career. I wanted to work with people to make a difference in their lives. Lockdown gave me a space of quietness, allowing me to truly reflect on my life goals. I applied to my university through clearing, I was offered a space on the course on the condition there was a space that became available. I would ring the university every day to check for spaces and my persistence paid off. I applied in August and started university one month later.
What was that one ‘aha’ moment that made you think, ‘I want to be an occupational therapist’?
I always knew I wanted to work with people within their own environments as I am a curious being, I wanted to enable people to live fulfilling lives and improve their wellbeing and utilise my creative skills – and these are occupational therapy core values, that’s when the ‘aha’ moment came and I decided I wanted to become an occupational therapist.
What have you enjoyed most within your studies?
It was difficult starting university at the height of COVID-19 as teaching had to be adapted and the
way we studied. I enjoyed the support the lecturers gave throughout the process and the understanding they had. Our lecturers adapted the teaching methods to give us more interactive learning and the way the cohort supported each other was immense.
I enjoyed how the placements offered me three areas of OT and these informed my decision on which direction I wanted to go in once I qualified.
If someone is considering a career in occupational therapy, what advice or insights would you offer them?
Never restrict your learning! Be innovative! Never doubt yourself, you will make mistakes, but they will make you a better occupational therapist and you learn from them, reflect and move forward! As a student your voice is valid, share your ideas and learning. We as student OTs and qualified OTs are forever evolving. Occupational therapy can also be applied to improving the population health of client groups and not just limited to individual clients, so explore these areas too.
University teaches you the core skills, my advice is to engage in the community of OTs and other professionals via X (previously known as Twitter) and RCOT membership, from this connection, I am a member of BAMEOTUK and OT Frontiers, two great supportive communities with great goals.
What's your ultimate dream job as an occupational therapist?
My ultimate dream as an occupational therapist is to use nature as a therapeutic tool to increase wellbeing and health in a holistic manner.
How's the transition from being a student to your first job in occupational therapy going for you? Can you share some of your experiences during this transition?
Transitioning from a student to my first OT job as a Community Occupational Therapist has been a learning curve, I have to pinch myself when I introduce myself as an occupational therapist to my clients. I have also had to learn with the support of my supervisor to take each day as it comes, and you don’t have to know everything! We are learning every day. Currently, I am soaking up all the knowledge around me and enjoying learning new experiences.
You chose to keep your RCOT membership now that you're working as an OT? What advantages do you see in staying a member?
I still use the resources I used as a student. For example the five-minute reflection tool, the free events and seminars that are provided through RCOT membership, and the monthly magazines have all informed my knowledge of new interventions and up-to-date studies. It’s all valuable to my continuing professional development (CPD) and growing as a person and as an occupational therapist.
If like Manni, you qualified as an OT this year, have you thought about joining RCOT?
This month we've launched a new member benefit – CPD portfolio. Record your CPD activities, reflections and evidence in one place, and on the go via an online platform and app – all included with your RCOT membership!