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Introduction
I look at my college career as
being one that has blossomed and grown throughout my four years of college. The theme of this academic portfolio
is a blooming flower because I not only believe that my experience has been much like a growing flower, but I also believe
that occupational therapy provides the first steps in a persons life of independence, much like the blooming flower. As I
complete this portfolio, I look at the different sections and see how much more I have going for me than I had four years
ago. I have an education, which has provided me with the seeds to a blossoming career. I have a wonderful family and friends
who have taught me the compassion and understanding needed for a career in occupational therapy. I have given my time to others,
which shows me appreciation for what I have and what I have to offer. I have achieved more than I thought I was capable of
achieving, and best of all, I am coming out of it feeling confident and proud of myself, which is something else in me which
has blossomed over the past four years. The theme of a blossoming flower is all past experiences giving way to a learning
experience and to knowledge for the future. The past is needed to understand the beauty of the future. The past contributes
to the growth toward a positive, ever-growing, blossoming future.
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Professional Goals
Professionally,
I would like to continue on the path upward that I am currently on. I would like to gain the confidence and understanding
in my knowledge of Occupational Therapy so that I can become the best therapist I can be. I want to accomplish what no one
in my family has done before, and that is to graduate college. I feel that I have grown and blossomed so much since I began
school four years ago, my hope is that I can continue to achieve all that I have done in college.
I want to finish my Master's in Occupational Therapy.
I would like to complete my graduate year in this program with confience and success. I would like to work in Pediatrics with
children with both physical and mental disabilities between the ages of 2 and 12 years old. I feel that I will be able to
accomplish this goal because I have knowledge of the development of children; I have an understanding of some of the disabilities
and diseases that children of this age could encounter, as well as the ability to interact with children easily.
I expect that my job to be one that supports my personal
and academic goals, and does not stand in the way of achieving either of these goals. In the future, I plan to have a family,
and my professional goals for this would be that my job and my career reflect into my family the philosophies of Occupational
Therapy, and the mission and objectives of my college, Alvernia. It is important to me that my family is taken into consideration
in my professional life, therefore, I wish for my job to be one that integrates both the staff and their families into the
job description, as well as one which will understand the roles and importance of families in a successful career.
I will continue my education after school and beyond
into my career as an Occupational Therapist. I would like to expand my knowledge and not let it waste away. I think that it
will be important for me to continue my education not just because it is important to keep the mind active, but also to keep
myself, my co-workers, and my client's up to date on what is going on in education and in Occupational Therapy trends. I expect
to do my best in my future education and not let my active mind become sedentary. If time and ability permits, I would like
to possibly teach a few classes, not at the college level, but hold inservices and other meetings for my fellow Occupational
Therapists.
I would like to become an active member of AOTA and POTA
and attend the conferences each year. I feel that this will help me to learn more about what is going on in Occupational Therapy
around the country, and will also give me the opportunity to contribute my knowledge to other Occupational Therapists as well.
I would like to learn about new things going on in Occupational Therapy, as well as learn from other Occupational Therapists
about what they are practicing. I will do my best to take this knowledge and apply it as I feel fit to my interventions.
I want to work to promote
Occupational Therapy by educating the public and the community about OT services. I will advocate for Occupational Therapy
in my job setting and in my personal life. I will explain to everyone who will listen what Occupational Therapy is and how
we can contribute and change lives.
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Professional Philosophy
My professional
philosophy is in concurrence with the philosophy of Occupational Therapy according to the AOTA Occupational Therapy philosophy,
I believe that growth occurs throughout life and one never stops growing, whether it is intellectually, spiritually, physically,
emotionally, personally or all five, I believe that growth is imperative and necessary for life to continue to be worthwhile.
Growth and development is important to gain understanding of oneself and others. I believe that change is essential in order
for a person to remain active in their lives. As an Occupational Therapist, I will assist in the growth necessary for continuation
of my client's independent and meaningful lives.
I believe that individuals have the right and privilege to remain
active and independent in their lives. I believe that it is human nature to be productive and purposeful, and that, as Occupational
Therapists, it is our purpose to facilitate that purposefulness of life and in activity. I will use activity to regain the
strength and independence of my client's through integration of environment, biological, and psychological features. I will
guide my clients to their maximum potential levels, and work with them to achieve that level in everyday life. I will not
give up after a few tries, I will continue to work with and direct a functional life.
I believe that everyone deserves an equal opportunity and chance
to succeed in life, regards of race, age, gender, or culture. I will work to facilitate all of the roles of my client's into
their treatment and guide them with my own professional judgment. I will understand and acknowledge the different beliefs
of my client's and guide their treatment according to their personal faiths.
I believe that family is one of the most important things in
life. I believe that family is ones biggest supporter and most reliable forms of insight, ideas, and constructive criticisms.
I will work with my client's to incorporate their families into treatment. I will also work with the families to help them
to understand what their loved one is going through. This will help all parties to be at an understanding with one another,
and with myself as their therapist.
My most important philosophy with Occupational Therapy is the
understanding and the trust of the client. It is important for the client to understand what Occupational Therapy is and how
it is going to help them. I will guide my client's into understanding Occupational Therapy and explain to them everything
that I am going to work on with them so that they know what to expect and can prepare for how they will interact. I will be
a mentor and a counselor to my client's. I will be there for them in the times of sadness, as well in times of achievement
and success. It is important for me to have a relationship with my clients, one which I know that they trust me and they know
that I am there to help them, not to hurt them. I believe that this relationship between the therapist and the client is what
will make Occupational Therapy intervention successful.
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