A career in occupational therapy

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy helps individuals overcome barriers to health and wellbeing, focusing on the roles and routines that shape their daily lives. Rather than simply addressing a condition or limitation, occupational therapy takes a holistic approach to understanding the "whole person” and involves working closely with diverse individuals and communities.

Pathways to occupational therapy: real-life perspectives

Mandy McKee, a lecturer at Coventry University first came to occupational therapy to find meaningful work that aligned with her values. After completing an access course to gain the qualifications for a degree, Mandy began her career in adult mental health units, working with patients in psychiatric and acute care settings.

Her work included using meaningful activities—anything from cooking and budgeting to creative outlets like drumming and pottery—as both assessment tools and treatment.

For Sue Kenney, an assistant professor and admissions tutor, occupational therapy was a career change she pursued after years working in welfare rights. She felt a strong pull to find her own meaningful occupation, one that focused on a strengths-based, rights-driven approach to health. After getting her MSc as a mature student, Sue worked in a Macmillan Service supporting people with life-limiting conditions, and later in social services. The adaptability required in this field of work appealed to her problem-solving mindset: “Working out how to fit all the equipment you needed into a tiny, terraced house…really draws in your ability to problem solve,” she says.

Why choose occupational therapy as a career?

Occupational therapy is a versatile field that offers the chance to make a difference to people’s lives. Working across a wide range of settings,occupational therapists help individuals to overcome physical, social, and mental challenges.

Occupational therapy is also highly rewarding: both Mandy and Sue emphasize how occupational therapy practitioners contribute to meaningful improvements in the lives of their clients

Interested in occupational therapy?

Explore Coventry University’s undergraduate and postgraduate occupational therapy courses, designed to equip you with the skills to make an impact in a career that values both technical knowledge and a holistic understanding of individual needs.

Mandy encourages prospective occupational therapy students to explore resources, such as the Royal College of Occupational Therapists’ website, to gain a deeper understanding of the field. Sue adds that life experience and skills from previous work, even jobs in customer service or retail, can be incredibly valuable in occupational therapy. “Draw on this in your personal statement and interview,” she advises.

Find out more about Occupational Therapy courses at Coventry University.