1. Health and Exercise Science and Occupational Therapy
Angelika Paluch
Rowan students

2. 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

3. 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!

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Pictures of Get Fit

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

18. 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

19. 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.

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