ABSTRACT

Objective : The purpose of this study was to examine (1) the general characteristics and factors related to choosing occupational therapy as their academic major in a nationwide sample of college students and (2) ifferences in major selection factors, interested area of occupational therapy, and preferences in career field across main student characteristics such as gender and year in college, in addition to anxiety related to the national licensure examination and career confidence level. Methods : A survey was provided to 4,500 students from nine 4-year colleges and ten 3-year colleges. A total of 1,329 surveys were analyzed in the final analysis. Results : A total of 831(62.5%) students responded that they had considered other majors before choosing occupational therapy, 588(44.2%) contemplated changing their major after entering college. 675(50.8%) chose occupational therapy major secondary to recommendation from others, and 654(49.2%) self-selected the major. Most of the recommendations were found to be made by parents and teachers, and the primary reasons for such recommendations were related to the high employment potential and the prospect of working as a professional specialist. Among students who picked their major on their own, 419(64.0%) students obtained information through the internet. Respondents’current and 10-year post-graduation preferred area of employment to work in a medical setting as an occupational therapist. The students’current level of anxiety pertaining to the licensure examination was found to be 3.5 on a 5-point scale, with male students showing a higher anxiety level. It was also found that the current degree of confidence regarding their career had decreased since entering college. Freshmen undergraduates reported the lowest career confidence level, with their confidence increasing with year in college. Conclusions : The results of the present study indicate potential ways in which departments in occupational therapy may promote their academic majors, in addition to contributing to our knowledge regarding ways to provide better academic as well as career counseling and guidance to students in occupational therapy.