The teaching staff on my MSc in occupational therapy at University of Cumbria were engaging and supportive and the assignments allow flexibility for you to really research and write about the things that you care about in the way that works for you.
Based on my undergraduate dissertation, I was dreading this part of the course from the start, however this ended up being my favourite part of the 2 years. I discovered a love for research I didn’t know I had, ended up presenting that research at the RCOT research conference, submitting that paper of publication, winning the RCOT early career research award and then continued to work with the university on further research projects (but with a salary this time) in the years following graduation.
Placements were another thing that I was very anxious about prior to starting, and it’s fair to say that not every placement was for me, however this gave me the opportunity to both rule out some of the areas I didn’t want to work in and find my passion in Paediatrics. This then became my first role as a qualified Occupational Therapist. Since then, I have progressed through band 6 and am now a band 7 Clinical Lead for an NHS Children’s Therapy service, specialising in complex neurological and long-term conditions (with the odd bit of research on the side when those opportunities arise!). It wasn’t necessarily a conventional path that led me to where I am now but I’m incredibly grateful that I ended up where I did. I honestly love being an Occupational Therapist, despite every moment of doubt along the way, I know it was the right move for me!