There’s no greater calling than devoting your life to helping others.
In the vast landscape of healthcare career paths, choosing to become an occupational therapist (OT) is an impactful decision. Occupational therapists play a crucial role in assisting patients dealing with emotional, physical, or social disabilities to gain independence.
Unlike physical therapists, who primarily focus on improving bodily movement, OTs help patients perform the day-to-day activities that provide purpose and meaning to their lives.
A Community of Passionate OT Students
Keuka College’s OT program stands out not only because of its comprehensive education but also due to its incredible students.
Keuka College OT students are smart, passionate, and eager to learn, creating a tight-knit community on a small campus. Traditions such as holiday luncheons, field days, guest lectures, and a “100 Days to Commencement” ice cream social foster a supportive and engaging environment. Upper-class students play a vital role in guiding new students, helping them acclimate and thrive at Keuka College.
Hands-On Learning from Day One
One of the unique aspects of Keuka College’s OT program is the commitment to hands-on learning from the very beginning.
The College’s experiential learning program, known as Field Period®, provides students with real-world, résumé-boosting experiences every year. This approach ensures students start developing their skills immediately in actual OT settings, exploring different specializations and environments. This hands-on experience is crucial in helping students determine their preferred career path post-graduation.
Field Period: A Gateway to Real-World Experience
Field Period offers diverse opportunities for OT students to gain practical experience. Some of the locations Keuka College students have worked at include:
- Child Advocacy Center
- Falconer Central School
- Ira Davenport Hospital
- Keuka College D.R.I.V.E. Program
- King Fahad Medical City in Saudi Arabia
- Second Wind Cottages
- Robert Reid Children’s Hospital in the Dominican Republic
These placements allow students to immerse themselves in various aspects of occupational therapy, gaining insights and honing their skills in different contexts.
Comprehensive OT Placements
Beyond the Field Period program, OT placements at Keuka College expose students to a wide array of practice settings. This diversity is designed to prepare students for the national board exam and their future careers.
Placement settings include early intervention, school-based programs, inpatient and outpatient hospitals, skilled nursing homes, developmental disabilities facilities and many others.
Notable placement locations include:
- Children’s Home Society of Florida
- Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
- Veterans Affairs Medical Centers
- Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center
- Upstate Cerebral Palsy
- Finger Lakes Center for Living
- North West Essex Community Health Care Network
Graduate with Extensive Experience
Keuka College ensures that by the time students graduate, they will have accumulated more than 1,000 hours of OT experience. This extensive hands-on training prepares newly minted graduates to enter the workforce with confidence and competence, equipped to make a significant impact in the lives of those they serve.
Choosing Keuka College’s occupational therapy program means joining a community that values practical experience, supportive relationships, and comprehensive learning. Students graduate well-prepared to embark on a fulfilling career dedicated to helping others achieve independence and improve their quality of life.
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