Free
Research Article
Issue Date: July 1992
Published Online: July 01, 1992
Updated: April 30, 2020
Why Students Choose Occupational Therapy as a Career
Carolyn K. Rozier; Grace E. Gilkeson; Basil L. Hamilton
Author Affiliations
  • Carolyn K. Rozier, PhD, is Dean, School of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman’s University, PO Box 22487, Denton, Texas 76204
  • Grace E. Gilkeson, EdD, OTR, FAOTA, is Dean, School of Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas
  • Basil L. Hamilton, PhD, is Chair, Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas
Article Information
Education of OTs and OTAs / Education
Research Article   |   July 01, 1992
Why Students Choose Occupational Therapy as a Career
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, July 1992, Vol. 46, 626-632. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.46.7.626
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, July 1992, Vol. 46, 626-632. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.46.7.626
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Abstract

To recruit students to occupational therapy, we need to know what prospective students seek in careers. A survey consisting of an attitude inventory was sent to 403 current occupational therapy students with a response rate of 54%. Earlier research identified that students had primarily altruistic goals in selecting occupational therapy as a profession, and this study continued to find that students wanted to help others; however, this was not a predictor of their favoring the profession. A factor analysis of the inventory revealed that students chose occupational therapy as a career because they liked the salaries, nationwide job availability, regular hours, and prestige that is associated with the profession. Students were more positive about the profession if they had experience working in occupational therapy departments, and 40% reported that no specific persons had influenced their career decision.