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Jo Whiting
We talk to Jo Whiting about retraining as an occupational therapist in her 40s and her work in a specialist short-term rehab unit .
Jo Whiting is an occupational therapist at Sue Ryder Neurological Care Centre The Chantry – a far cry from her earlier career in sales and marketing in the software industry .
It was in her 30s when Jo got a desire for change , spurred on by her ‘ can do ’ attitude . She says : ‘ I hit my 30s and got some niggles and doubts , I didn ’ t know if this was what I wanted , and I felt empty . But I also didn ’ t know where I wanted to go next .’
At this point , she came across occupational therapy , but she felt that it wasn ’ t the right time for her to retrain . However , Jo kept this dream alive throughout her 30s , while finding meaning in her career through working at a children ’ s charity .
She explains : ‘ I was having career counselling and we did a lot of work looking at many different elements of my personality and profile , my working life to date , and elements of the working environment , tasks and job roles that were preferences for me .
‘ Once we had built this picture I was asked to try and map those elements to potential job roles , looking very broadly . Some of these included working with people , making a difference and diversity in tasks .
‘ My search introduced me to occupational therapy , which I had not heard of previously . Once I investigated it felt like a very good match , but not achievable with regards to retraining at that particular time in my life .
‘ Making the change I did though , to working in the third sector and transferring my existing skills was hugely fulfilling throughout that period , so I didn ’ t feel the need to re-investigate the profession .
‘ However , once I had reached a second crossroads , 10 years later , I was very focused on what my working life would offer me into my 40s and beyond , when other family responsibilities were less intensive . That was the point occupational therapy came to the forefront of my mind again .’
Then in her early 40s , Jo was offered a place at Essex University and threw
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February 2023 OTnews 21