Becca tells us how a conversation in the pub 15 years ago led to her starting a successful career in Occupational Therapy

15 years ago, I went through clearing and just a couple of weeks later was an undergraduate student at University College Northampton training to become an Occupational Therapist (OT).  I am now Head of Occupational Therapy, have an MSc in Occupational Therapy and lead a workforce of 90 OTs across the Mental Health and Learning Disabilities service in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

A chance conversation in the pub with my brother’s friend  who had completed her first year as an OT student, sent me into a career I had never even heard about. I had just returned from travelling, had applied to do optometry and didn’t get the grades. I knew I wanted to do a job that made a difference to people’s lives but to be honest, applying to university a year before you go, and making a choice of ‘what I wanted to be when I grew up’ at 17 was a challenge. I think that not achieving my grades was a blessing in disguise.

Over the years I have learnt that there is no shame in starting a career the less conventional way. What matters is helping people to know what Occupational Therapy encompasses, and the difference we make to people’s quality of life.

Find out more information about Occupational Therapy and course availability through clearing.