Any occupational therapists or assistants willing to give a junior in high school advice?

Question

I ve never known exactly what I want to do after high school (other than going to college), and now that it s almost the second semester of junior year, I ve decided I have to start figuring stuff out.
So I ve been looking around on this website called Family Connections that my school showed us, and I was messing around and stumbled into Occupational Therapy.  It seems like a really interesting field and I was thinking if I went into it, I d like to work with nursing homes and places like that.  I really enjoy talking to older people, especially my friends  grandparents & elderly customers at work (and they love talking to me, thankfully!), so I think that d be something I d be interested in.

However, I have no idea what I should do to actually become an occupational therapist.  Which classes should I take senior year in high school to help me prepare? I ve already been planning on taking Psychology (not sure CP vs AP, though). What should I major in in college? The Family Connection website said it s a very customer-servicey type of job, and I work at Price Chopper right now as a cashier.  Do you think that d show enough customer service experience?  Should I intern now?

Anyway, sorry I m rambling so much. I have all of these thoughts and ideas running through my mind right now.  If you re an occupational therapist, do you enjoy your job? Would you recommend it? It seems like it d be a very competitive occupation.  I have a 90.63 GPA right now..

Thank you in advance!

Marlowe · Accepted Answer

-Find an OT to observe and talk to, if you don't know where to look (online.. call, walk-in, email, explain who you are and leave your contact information). I'm sure they would be more than willing to talk to you or let you observe (scheduled, be professional/responsible). Most OT schools require observation hours, it will also give you a feel if it is for you or not.
-It is an entry level masters degree, it doesn't matter what your undergraduate major is as long as you have completed the admission requirements  (best to choose a major where most of the OT pre-reqs are a requirement to graduate. i.e. psych, kinesiology, rehab science, etc.)
- This forum: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forums/occupational-therapy-o-t-d.513/
-List of OTA and OT schools in US http://www.aota.org/education-careers/find-school.aspx
-Most school have the same general pre-reqs and requirements and typically require a bachelors degree:
 To apply 3.0 cumulative and prereq GPA; Prereqs: Gen Psych, Abnormal Psych, Developmental Psych, Sociology or anthro, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Physics and/or Kinesiology, Medical Terminology, Statistics, english; observation hours; GRE; letters of recommendation from OT,  VARIES BY SCHOOL)
-Some schools have an OTA to OT program; some schools have a 3+2 program, most are entry level masters programs
-Talk to your community college or university counselor. If there is an OT school nearby they usually have an admissions counselor set-up an appointment. They can definitely help you succeed and plan for OT school.

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Any occupational therapists or assistants willing to give a junior in high school advice?

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