Lana's following a fascination with the human body into a new career

Lana was working in the geoscience space before leaving to focus on raising her family for the next decade. She felt that retraining in a different field was the way to get where she wanted to go professionally. Thanks to CDU's flexible study options, Lana's now on her way to becoming an occupational therapist.

“I had been fascinated by bodies and health since studying a Diploma of Health Science after leaving high school, so decided to look into what career paths I might be interested in,” she says.

“I was excited by the prospect of occupational therapy thinking the combination of wellbeing, activity and problem solving would suit my values and interests.”

Lana searched for study options and found that CDU had just started to offer the Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Occupational Therapy.

“I chose CDU because it’s close to my house for on-campus teaching, as well as the online option,” she says.

“As it turns out, online was such a flexible option to fit around my work and single parenting, and easier than I anticipated.”

“Exercise for your brain”

“It took a while to get my writing and thinking up to speed but I just thought of this as like going to the gym after a long time away,” Lana says. “I could feel my brain getting less flabby over the first semester!”

Her advice for mature age students returning to study runs along the same line of thought.

Treat it like exercise for your brain, and use the online tutor service to get your assignments checked when you’re first starting.

Lana admits that as a single parent with a full-time job, time management hasn’t always been easy.

“I was unable to manage four units per semester because there simply was not going to be enough time.”

She recommends taking advantage of the part-time study options available, especially if you’re at capacity with kids, work, and everything in between.

“Even doing one subject a semester will get you closer to your goal.”

Occupational therapy at CDU

Now well into her dual degree, Lana has particularly enjoyed the psychology and neuroscience units as part of her Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Occupational Therapy.

“The expertise of those lecturers was tremendous and the learning was fascinating and exhilarating,” she says.

“And then to this year, to finally get to the occupational therapy units and loving the philosophies and enthusiasm of the OT teaching team was beyond what I had expected."

I have been very, very impressed by the coordinating and execution of the OT component of the degree.

The Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Occupational Therapy program involves 1,000 hours of practice education, where students become well-versed in the OT space and gain valuable, real-world experience.

Lana is keeping her future as an OT open, hoping to fall in love with a particular area during her placements.

“I feel very well supported by the OT staff, both as a person and in how I’m developing professionally.”

“The occupational therapy faculty are exceptional,” she adds. “I’ve been so impressed.”

Considering a career in occupational therapy or another area of allied health? CDU offers hundreds of diplomas, certificates and degrees to get you there.