Health and Exercise Science and Occupational Therapy Angelika Paluch Rowan students

What’s the point of this PowerPoint?! Show classmates how the HES Department at Rowan has prepared me to start a career as an Occupational Therapist one day. Show the correlation and importance of learning what I have learned so far at Rowan Explain what an OT does and how I will reach my goal

How did I know? Before I talk about the importance of Occupational Therapy and Rowan’s education, I wanted to give Rowan University students an idea of how you know you found the right career. I knew I liked helping people (especially kids), but I didn’t want to be a teacher. I got involved with Get Fit (will be discussed later) and found my dream career! Bottom line – get involved in things and try new things!

An Occupational Therapist’s Focus An OT’s main goal is to help individuals with disabilities and developmental delays become independent Fine motor skills Behavioral issues Processing from brain to muscles Help individuals be able to take care of themselves independently

Physical Therapy vs. Occupational Therapy Gross motor skills Post athletic injuries Post accident Walking / Running More physical aspect Fine motor skills Developmental disabilities Involves more behavioral issues Sensory seeking issues

With who and Where can OT’s work?? Schools Inpatient Hospitals Outpatients Rehab Centers Retirement homes Home care for needy Pediatrics Geriatrics Athletes My personal goal is to work at an outpatient facility. Here, patients would come to me for an hour and I would work with them one on one. My second option would be an inpatient hospital

Courses in HES that are preparing me for Occupational Therapy Anatomy Exercise Prescription Physiology Kinesiology Testing measures: Blood pressure Heart rate Skin folds Exercise for Special Populations Courses in HES that are preparing me for Occupational Therapy

How exactly do those classes help? The classes I have taken so far at Rowan University have set the pace for my future career as an Occupational Therapist… Exercise for Special Populations  the basis of OT. It was important to learn how to exercises for all kinds of populations. Kinesiology  Essential for knowing how the body moves as a whole Basic Anatomy  knowing what structures of the body do what function Skin Folds  It is crucial for OT’s to know different measurements of body fat and how to keep their clients healthy Those just a few examples of how my classes have helped prepare me for an OT career

Other involvements Office Work: Honors Provost Office – helped me work with professors and deans. Built commination skills Engineering Office – Mastered computer work, worked on people skills by administering tours National Honor Society – kept me motivated to do well in school / built time management skills

An important program that influenced me This is a program near and dear to my heart for many reasons: A quick look into an OT’s job Get to help people Make a difference Be a friend to my clients Personal coach My client Brian and I at Get fit Get Fit at Rowan University

Pictures of Get Fit

What has this program taught me? Would you like more information on this awesome program?! Visit Rowan.edu/getfit What has this program taught me? Humbleness Patience Devotion importance of giving someone your time and care value of giving back.

So, how will I reach my goal? There are many ways I am preparing myself to be an OT one day: Work at a children’s hospital full time Get involved in a CPR course Classes at Rowan Applying to Grad School Further my experience through Get Fit

Occupational Therapy Aide What do I do? As a rehab aide, Work hands on with patients Make sure all rooms are ready for therapy Make sure all toys are cleaned Input scripts from doctors Computer work Excel work All of my experience at Rowan University has given me the chance to work full time at a children’s hospital. My hands on experience at school, classes taken, and involvements helped me land a job that is a huge step In the right direction for my career! Although it is not my dream job, it is a great foot in the door. Bottom line = work your way to the top

Possible Future Schools With my education and everything I have done at Rowan University, I am ready to take the next step in my life and career. Some possible future schools where I will continue my education are: Towson University Temple University Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia University University of the Sciences

Advice for rowan students Get involved!!! As a senior at Rowan University, I would say the most important thing to do is get involved! College is a time to explore your options and learn about yourself so: Get involved Get out of your comfort zone Make new friends Learn about yourself Take chances Write your goals down

What it takes… To be a good (anything), you need certain qualities and characteristics. Through all of my experiences and involvements, I know that I will reach my goal one day I will never give up until I reach my goal of attending graduate school, and being a professional in this field.

Senior – Rowan University Health and Exercise Science Program The end! Thanks for Reading  Angelika Paluch Senior – Rowan University Health and Exercise Science Program