Student education
Watching their joy as they presented their finished music videos , watching their confidence grow a little bit more every day , watching as they ticked off their SMART goals and knocked down every barrier in their way , and knowing that I had played a small part … reinforced the notion that I have made the right decision in re-training to become an occupational therapist .”
Student education
Feature
Investing in our young people
What support can occupational therapists offer young people who are not in education , employment or training ? Chris Prager shares his experience of a non-traditional project placement to tackle this issue .
T he delivery of healthcare is fast becoming a complex issue , as it shifts further from its medical and clinical beginnings and closer to a more integrated , community-centred and holistic practice ( Rigg , Engelman and Ramirez 2018 ).
In response to this , university-based occupational therapy programmes are quickly adapting and evolving their placement opportunities to prepare students for life after graduation , including an increasing number of non-traditional and role-emerging project placements as an option for their learners .
During these types of placements , students are placed in a setting where they can complete an occupational therapy related project ( Overton , Clark and Thomas 2009 ). This requires students to work more independently , albeit still under the supervision of a practice educator , in an environment where occupational therapy is not necessarily immediately obvious , nor the primary focus .
There are many reasons as to why nontraditional and role-emerging project placements are becoming more and more popular within both undergraduate and postgraduate occupational therapy degree programmes .
These include a shortage of clinical practice education opportunities and health reforms caused by ever-changing work practices within the allied health professions , as they strive to improve health outcomes in the face of mounting pressures and funding cuts ( Lloyd , Bassett and King 2002 ; Bradley et al 2016 ).
Whatever the reasons , non-traditional project placements offer students a unique opportunity to gain experience of occupational therapy , while allowing them to establish a professional role using the same practice and processes that they would apply in a more traditional or clinical setting ( Overton , Clark and Thomas 2009 ).
One such role emerging opportunity is provided by Iconic Steps , a media production agency that creates a space for young people who are not in education , employment or training ( NEET ), and ‘ allows them to be seen and become the future icons of a more equal and creative industry ’ ( Iconic Steps 2023 ).
My motivation
As a current student at the University of East London , my four weeks with Iconic Steps has given me an insight into what my life as an occupational therapist could be like after I graduate ; and I have to say that I have not been disappointed .
I already know that I made the right choice in going back to education to become an allied health professional and I am looking forward to what the rest of my course will bring .
I will admit that I was a little nervous before starting , as it was going to be my first ever experience of a non-traditional placement . I need
Watching their joy as they presented their finished music videos , watching their confidence grow a little bit more every day , watching as they ticked off their SMART goals and knocked down every barrier in their way , and knowing that I had played a small part … reinforced the notion that I have made the right decision in re-training to become an occupational therapist .”
48 OTnews January 2025