AIBU to want to become an Occupational Therapist at 42

[shamalangadingdong]

I'd also love to hear from other people that are working as OT's

Most of my working life, until I had children, was as an IT Account Manager. I decided that corporate life is not for me and seeing having a family I have worked part-time doing not particularly challenging jobs while studying an OU degree in Health and Social Care. I was so pleased to get a First.

I had no idea where I wanted the degree to take, me but it was just an area that I was very interested in. My Mum was diagnosed with a chronic illness in her early 30's, as a result we came into contact with lots of health professionals. I also understood from a young age how illness in families can impact the whole family. I believe I'm a good communicator, empathetic, caring and a great problem solver.

For the last year I have been topping up my other part-time job working a shift as a Support Worker with people with Learning Disabilities....and I love it. I get so much satisfaction from it and it makes me feel happy to know that I am making a difference to someone life. I have come into contact with Occupational Therapists while at work and this is a role I would really love to do. I have looked at MSc (Pre Registration) in Occupational Therapy at a nearby University. It is two years long with clinical placements. I feel really excited at the thought of doing this course and I believe I meet the criteria. I am really looking at a career that can take me through to retirement age, the thought of working in my old career leaves me feeling cold. I also know there is lots of scope for further study and to specialise once qualified. I've become stuck in a rut the last few years, doing a part-time job (not the support worker) that doesn't challenge me or make me happy but works around school hours.

I can't help but feel, however, that I am too old. I would be nearly 45 years old by the time I qualify. My husband and extended family have said that they will do everything they can do to support me to do this i.e family members helping out with childcare etc. The thing that is holding me back is confidence but I know that if I don't do this course, I will be stuck in a rut for the long term.

There’s a lot of talk about mature students on here. My daughter is considering an OT degree but I’m wondering whether she would be too young at 18 and not have enough life experience?

I was sent on one which was 200 miles away from my uni and it wasnt debatable. Another was 80 miles from uni. Both times I had to pay for accommodation on top of the rent I was already paying.
DD gets her rent and travel paid on placement. She is in Wales but not on the bursary so dont know if that makes any difference.
She is in Cardiff and placements have been Merthyr and Bridgend an both of which were a bit of a commute and also Ghent. She is fully expecting to have to move out for the next placement.

@Crazycrofter
DD started her degree at 21 and she does say the 18 years do seem a bit immature for the course sometimes
DD did a lot a lot of volunteering/working. She volunteered at a SEN integrated play scheme from the age of 12 who employed her p/t from 18 for weekends and holidays. She also did some occassional respite care and also did work experience at a SEN school. She went the btec route rather than a levels which also involved placements in an Elderly day centre and a school nursery

Fabulous job Op go for it if you can afford it