As a Girl With a Twist I'm a little off the schedule, that everyone else seems to be on. I was the tallest kid in class, until the boys finally caught up in 10th grade (apart from Mr. Robert Stonewall Mitchell, that is). I bought a Hyundai nine years ago. My first real, lip-on-lip kiss was from another six-year-old (the very cute and happenin' David Tokas) while we rode bikes. My bosom is just blossoming, now. At 46. At this rate my menopausal years will probably kick in just as I'm recovering from my retirement party.
So of course, it's a personal law that I go back to school a third time. At 46. In June, which is either 9 months behind or 3 months ahead of everyone else, depending on your mood. It's not really my choice. The graduate program I'm about to begin just happens to have a very Girl With a Twist-like schedule.
I'm not complaining one bit. I'm fortunate and thankful beyond belief, for this career-change chance. Especially since the new career is just about one of the most gratifying vocations I can imagine being a part of. It's occupational therapy, which isn't the workplace occupation it sounds like (I'm not certain who was in charge of naming, but I wouldn't be surprised if their dogs were named Fluffy and Meowy .) "Occupation" here, are the purposeful activities that are motivating to someone and in a therapy setting, "occupation" will help someone recover physical and cognitive function that's been impaired because of injury, or illness, or disability.
How really amazing, is that? I haven't quite begun yet but I already know that I would do this, for free.
I won't have to, which my Mom and others are happy to know. I could recite data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources about the job stability and growth outlook for occupational therapists (OTs). It's good (very). I could also repeat the colossally positive OT job satisfaction polls I've read, and later heard from the OTs I worked with last fall. And, OTs are well-paid regardless of where they practice. So, all of these things kind of could make someone think, that I was really really strategic about making this choice.
But in twist-like tradition, I wasn't. Not a bit. What I was, was (is), a sucker for a job that's as close to being a professional volunteer as there might be. And, to being a lifelong student. Which you don't have to pay tuition to be.
So, take a chance. Give your rational, externally-influenced mind a break and do what serves your soul. Then you'll really be onto something, even if it throws you off schedule.
Thanks, Mr.Tokas.
