Career Change to Occupational Therapy: Everything You Need to Know to Change Careers
Do you dream of giving meaning to your professional life? Occupational therapy welcomes many adults in career transition. Here is the complete guide to successfully making this transition.
Every year, many adults leave their jobs to turn to occupational therapy. The search for meaning, the desire to help others, interest in the health field: motivations are varied but converge towards this fulfilling profession. While the transition requires significant investment, excellent job prospects and professional satisfaction make it a wise choice.
💡 Why choose occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy attracts more and more people in transition for multiple reasons. This profession combines human dimension, technicality, and creativity, offering a varied and stimulating practice on a daily basis.
Meaning and usefulness
Helping people regain their autonomy in daily life
Excellent job prospects
96% employment rate, high demand in all sectors
Diversity
Multiple practice locations, varied public, possible evolutions
👥 Profiles in transition
People transitioning to occupational therapy come from very diverse backgrounds. This wealth of experience is an asset for training and future practice of the profession.
Common original sectors
- Health and paramedical: nursing assistants, nurses, physiotherapists seeking a different approach
- Social and educational: educators, facilitators, caregivers
- Tertiary and commerce: seeking meaning and human contact
- Craft and technical: attracted by the manual and creative aspect
- Teaching: interest in individualized support
💡 Any background is valuable
Whatever your previous experience, it will be an asset in your future practice. The relational, organizational, and technical skills acquired in other professions enrich occupational therapy practice. Selection committees appreciate this diversity of profiles.
🚪 Access to training in transition
Several pathways allow adults in transition to access occupational therapy training. The choice depends on your situation, your previous background, and your region.
Access pathways
Parcoursup - Initial training
Application like any high school graduate on Parcoursup. Access possible regardless of age. Selection based on file and sometimes interview depending on the IFE.
Continuing education
Some IFEs offer specific places for continuing education. Same program as initial training, sometimes with adjustments.
Professional bridges
For qualified health professionals (nurses, physiotherapists, psychomotor therapists...), exemption possible from certain teaching units depending on the background.
⚠️ No age limit!
Contrary to popular belief, there is no age limit to enter occupational therapy training. People aged 40, 45, or even 50 successfully transition. Motivation and maturity are valuable assets that greatly compensate for any difficulties related to returning to studies.
💰 Financing your transition
The cost of training (€4,000 to €9,500/year depending on the IFEs) and the loss of income during 3 years are the main barriers to transition. Fortunately, many schemes allow financing this project.
🎓 CPF - Personal Training Account
Your acquired rights can finance all or part of the training. Cumulative with other aids.
📋 Transitions Pro (formerly Fongecif)
For employees: financing of training + salary maintenance during studies.
💼 Pôle Emploi - AIF/AREF
For job seekers: financial aid + allowance during training.
🏛️ Regional Council
Some regions finance training places for job seekers.
- Professionalization contract: Paid alternation (rare but possible)
- CROUS scholarships: Subject to income conditions
- Student loan: Favorable rates to finance training
- Current employer: Skills development plan
💡 Anticipate financing
Start your financing procedures 6 to 12 months before entering training. Transitions Pro files in particular take a long time to prepare and response times can take several months. The more you anticipate, the more likely you are to obtain optimal financing.
📅 Organizing during training
Returning to studies as an adult, often with family and financial responsibilities, requires rigorous organization. Here are the key points to anticipate.
Family life
Involve your loved ones in the project, anticipate childcare
Budget
Plan for a decrease in income, build a precautionary savings
Time
Classes, internships, personal work: prepare for a busy schedule
Organization tips
- Inform your family and gain their support before you start
- Calculate your budget precisely over 3 years (income, expenses, training costs)
- Identify childcare or support solutions if you have children
- Plan time for personal work outside of classes
- Keep time for yourself to recharge and avoid burnout
⭐ Valuing your previous experience
Your previous professional background is a wealth for your future practice as an occupational therapist. Learn to identify and value these transferable skills.
- Relational skills: listening, communication, conflict management
- Organizational skills: project management, planning, prioritization
- Technical skills: IT, DIY, creativity
- Knowledge of sectors: business, social, education...
- Maturity and perspective: stress management, adaptability
💬 Testimonial
"My experience as a sales representative helps me enormously in my practice. I know how to adapt my speech, convince a reluctant patient, negotiate with families. These skills are not learned in class, and recruiters appreciate them."
— Sophie, 38 years old, former sales representative, occupational therapist for 2 years
🎤 Testimonials from those who transitioned
💬 From construction to occupational therapy
"I was a site manager, a physical and stressful job. At 42, after an accident, I discovered occupational therapy during my rehabilitation. Three years later, I graduated and work in a rehabilitation center. My technical skills in layout are a real plus for my recommendations."
— Marc, 45 years old, former site manager
💬 From teaching to pediatric occupational therapy
"After 15 years as a teacher, I was exhausted. I loved helping struggling students but felt helpless. Occupational therapy allowed me to continue supporting children with concrete tools. Today I work in SESSAD and I am fully thriving."
— Nathalie, 41 years old, former teacher
🎯 Prepare your future practice
DYNSEO applications are used by many occupational therapists. Discover now the tools you will use in your future career.
Discover our tools →💡 Practical advice for success
🎯 Keys to success
- Research in advance: Meet occupational therapists, do observation internships
- Strengthen your motivation: The training is demanding, conviction must be strong
- Anticipate financing: 6 to 12 months in advance to prepare the files
- Involve your loved ones: Their support will be valuable for 3 years
- Accept the student role: Even with experience, remain humble and curious
- Build connections: With other students, including younger ones
- Stay the course: Difficult moments pass, the diploma remains
🎯 Conclusion
The transition to occupational therapy is a demanding but deeply rewarding project. Thousands of people have successfully made this transition and now practice a profession they love, with excellent employment conditions.
Your previous experience, far from being a handicap, is a wealth that will nourish your future practice. Patients benefit from professionals with varied backgrounds, capable of understanding different life realities.
A new professional life awaits you:
Dare to transition to occupational therapy!
