Changing Careers: Advice for the Non-Traditional Student

Jaclyn Mazza, University of Pittsburgh

Choosing to enroll in graduate school is a weighty decision for anyone. For students just completing their undergraduate programs, taking that leap into a graduate program means agreeing to at least 2 more years of classes, papers, exams, and long hours spent studying at the library. For nontraditional, second career students—those returning to school after working in a different profession—entering a graduate school program can result in a major life upheaval. It usually entails financial risk as well a multitude of other challenges associated with a career change.

I am a nontraditional student who decided to pursue occupational therapy after 10 years in another field. When I decided to go back to school, I left behind a stable salary and a cherished network of colleagues. I retained, however, all of the responsibilities I had accumulated in the years since I finished my undergraduate education. I still have significant local and long-distance family obligations, a 6-year-old boxer who still acts like a puppy, and a suburban house far from my school’s main campus. As occupational therapy students, we are all learning about occupations, roles, performance skills, and environments. We reflect on how these components intertwine to impact our quality of life. As I began to consider these foundations of our profession, I started to notice the diversity of my classmates’ meaningful occupations. Our responsibilities, role histories, and daily routines are all very different, and those differences have influenced the development of a wide range of skill sets and strengths. All of these factors contribute to a graduate school experience that is unique to each individual student.

Last August, when I sat down to start the first evidence-based paper of my graduate school career, I quickly realized that I had no idea what I was doing. A decade away from school had produced a substantial layer of academic rust. I discovered that researching a topic using online databases, and then writing a paper that follows proper citation protocols, is not anything like riding a bike. Completing that first assignment was a struggle, and it took me longer than most of my classmates to finish it. I was frustrated and began to question my ability to perform academically. Several weeks later, however, we took our first performance exam. We were tested on our ability to choose an appropriate therapeutic activity for a client, and then explain why we thought it would be a beneficial intervention. I aced it. My years of professional experience with clients, real-world problem solving, public speaking, and performing under pressure laid the foundation for my success on that performance exam.

As the semester progressed, the individual strengths of each of my classmates were gradually revealed. Through group projects, study sessions, and lunchtime conversations, we laid the groundwork for constructive teamwork. Students with more recent academic experience students helped me maneuver through the maze of professional journals, and I shared techniques to manage those stressful performance exams. We formed study groups composed of students of all ages and backgrounds, and with each other's enthusiastic support, successfully navigated our first full-term of OT school.

• Don't let dissimilarities in age or background intimidate you into silence. Talk to your classmates! Your roles, occupations, and responsibilities may not be nearly as different as you think.
• Recognize that your peers are an invaluable resource. If you are struggling with a skill or concept, ask for help. Chances are that another student is knowledgeable and willing to assist you. There is no reason to be embarrassed if you do not understand something—if we all knew everything already, we would not need to go to school to earn our degree.
• Embrace diversity! Take a break from neuroscience and biomechanics to learn about those classmate's occupations that are different from yours. You might discover a new meaningful activity for yourself.
• Support each other. While academic achievement can be gratifying, helping a friend succeed is by far the greater reward. 

Good luck, and happy studying!