Why It Is Important to Create an Alternative Career

For a long time I have been thinking "I have more to offer the OT world and tiny corner of the world around me."  I just don't know what it is I have to offer.  I haven't come across a true passion that motivates me in a long time.  The way I see it, this is what a career should be.  Don't get me wrong, I love my students and the people I work with.  I still wake up satisfied with the idea of going to work and seeing these kids that I care for and the coworkers who I have developed relationships with.  Sometimes I feel like I am even making a difference, which is great!

 However, I do experience the feeling that I am stuck in a rut, that I am expensing my energy in areas that are not useful.  As a person with a physical disability, there is no energy to expense and no time to waste.  Carrying extra bags or spending extra time on paper work cannot be a part of the mix.  Discussing my expertise and knowledge as an OT in meetings and to parents and other professionals is only about 25% of my job, another 25% of my job is being with kids, 20% is used traveling and unloading/loading, setting up materials, organizing papers and trying to figure out procedures that change bimonthly; 20% is necessary paperwork that needs to be done for students to succeed and our public schools to be reimbursed.  And yes, I will admit the other 10% is used socializing and being incredibly flexible for building schedules and procedures that occur within the special education system.  If you can manage this type of multitasking, organizing and the level of people skills it takes to be a part of several different special education teams, this is a good job for you.  I will admit, I am decent at my job.  Many nights I come home exhausted and wanting something more.  I currently do not have a career.  I am smart and knowledgeable and I used to love Occupational Therapy as a profession.  For a long time I kept thinking there is room for growth within the bureaucracy of special education.  If I just try harder, I'll be more organized and there will be more time when I am less exhausted for professional growth.  If I try any harder with what I already know, I will collapse.  Then, briefly I have thought about what it would be like to switch jobs to a different bureaucracy.  A bureaucracy where there are no 3 year olds smiling at me (or hiding or running).  A bureaucracy where there are no summers or 2 weeks off at Christmas break.  A bureaucracy where billing is more challenging than it is in a school setting.  And I think, OT's mainly work in bureaucracy's when they need their bills paid. 

I am young, healthy and still motivated enough to keep on learning.  I have 2 degrees that are going to give me the skills I need to research and plan ahead with what I need to do to be a successful individual with a disability in the work force.  I think step one for me is devising a plan where I always work smarter, not harder.  Organization 101 will also be the key.