OT Interviews

discodollie

Hi,

I've got an interview for OT - as a mature student - in Trinity, next week. Apparently, there's a presentation and then two interviews. Argh! Does anyone know what this involves, or/and if you've been through this before, I'd be grateful if you could please give me a few tips.

Thanks

snorlax

we im a 3rd year OT student, not a mature one though so i can't tell you exactly what's involved. but i can probably give you a general overview. you have to be interested in working with people, and have some kind of experience of the caring field (you probably already have this if your being called for interview). it might not be a bad idea to visit an OT department, the NRH in Dun Laoghaoire is pretty good for doing day visits and a good overview of what's involved. you need an aptitude for science especially, biology. an interest in psychology, or a knowledge of any of the basic theories (such as behaviourism, especially humanistic theory**(carl rogers, maslow's hierarchy of needs (look for the client centered approach by carl rogers as the canadian model of human occupation (Law et al, CAOT '97) and the model of human occupation(keilhofner***, look this up before the interview and they'll be well impressed!!) are two of the main models informing OT practice look up on google). the basic sciences form the bulk of the learning in first and second year, and you do more applied sciences in 2nd year, and then applying the whole lot of it to practice in 3rd/ 4th year, followed by placements.

also give examples of where you;ve seen OT in practice/ what attracted you to it?
the first question they'll probably ask is why do you want to be an OT (and don't say because i want to help people or because you feel sorry for them, as empathy not sympathy is emphazed). if you can prove you have a broad knowledge of some of the basic principles like client centered therapy (eg individual treatment) and like/ are willing to learn science/ and know alot of domains OTs work in it will show you are motivated enough to put the research into the subject (and prove to them you are motivated enough to complete the course and put the work in, which is what they want to see).

if you can tell me who's interviewing you i could tell you they're specialisms, what they like in person and what to expect from them. if you mention something they're interested they are more likely to question you about it.