DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/36967489

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7746-5752

Date of Award

5-10-2024

Degree Type

Capstone Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Carolyn Podolski, OTD, OTR/L

Second Advisor

Joshua Wludyga, DSc, CSCS, *D

Third Advisor

Todd Lindley, PhD

Fourth Advisor

Jason Edwards, PhD

Abstract

Advocating for the profession of Occupational Therapy (OT) is important to help grow the profession, solidify professional identity, and to make the public aware of the services provided by OT. Advocating is also important to help increase the diversity of the profession, especially as there is a growing need for OT practitioners. Minority and non-traditional students often require more education about careers, and benefit from hands-on experiences and resources in pursuit of graduate school. Georgia Gwinnett College has a primarily minority and non-traditional student base, with many students interested in pursuing graduate school. Currently, there are few resources available for students interested in pursuing OT, and there is generally a lack of knowledge about the profession as a career option. An educational program was developed and administered to increase awareness of and interest in OT, and a pre-OT club was created to continue this effort and provide students with resources and support in their pursuit of OT. A pre- and post-test were administered before and after the informational lecture to 246 students, and results revealed a significant impact of the lecture on increasing awareness and understanding of, and interest in OT as a profession. This interest translated into 50 students signing up for the pre-OT club, including four students selected as officers. This program has the potential to increase awareness of OT and diversity of the profession, and it can be implemented in other colleges to benefit the profession of OT, and assist students in their pursuit of this impactful career.

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