Heather Wilson

Education:

Doisy School of Allied Health, Masters of Occupational Therapy, May 2005

Work Experience:

Ranken Jordan Pediatric Specialty Hospital – Occupational Therapist, Provide therapy services to inpatients, outpatients, and day treatment patients between the ages of 2 weeks and 18 years old.

Why did you choose SLU for your graduate degree?

I was attending SLU for my undergraduate degree and I learned about the field of Occupational Therapy. Through my research, I knew that it was the career for me and I was lucky to be attending SLU currently and be able to enter the Occupational Therapy masters program the first year it transitioned from a bachelor to a master’s degree. I had also heard positive remarks from therapists in the field on how prepared SLU students are for fieldwork and jobs at the completion of the program.

What factors contributed to your experience at SLU?

The faculty was passionate about the field of Occupational Therapy and they were eager to engage me in my learning and share their knowledge in their particular area of interest. There were many opportunities for hands on experience which proved to be very helpful during fieldwork. Class material was paired with fieldwork and case studies to assist with my ability to apply what I was learning to what I would see in the clinical setting.

How does your SLU education help you on your career path?

My education equipped me to be knowledgeable and prepared for my fieldwork experiences in which I was able to put that knowledge into practice in a clinical setting. After graduation, I was able to confidently interview for a job knowing that I was prepared to be an entry level therapist. The faculty of the OT department has continued to be available following graduation to assist with answer questions and offering advice concerning career decisions and continuing education. I have also had the opportunity to work with SLU OT students during classroom observations and fieldwork supervision, which continues to increase my knowledge of new practice areas and techniques.

Why would you recommend a student attend SLU?

For me, SLU was an environment that made my eager to learn and excited about my career path. SLU OT students are well prepared for their fieldwork experiences and are competitive in the job market. While SLU emphasizes and supports the importance of research in the field of OT, I believe they take that one step further and teach students to apply research actively in their future career through evidence based practice, to ensure that research is being effectively applied during treatment planning and implementation. Overall, OT students graduating from SLU’s graduate program are well prepared, confident, positive, and hardworking therapists upon completion of their program.