I was talking with an occupational therapy student last night about MDI Medical's occupational therapy careers.

Like many ambitious new grads with high expectations for their occupational therapy careers, she had a plan: graduate in August, pass the NBCOT in September, wow everyone with her performance on her OT jobs at a prestigious outpatient clinic, make tons of money, climb the career ladder to management, and retire early. 

If you're a new grad, you're thinking, .Exactly. That's what everyone wants, right?' If you're like me & have been around the block a few times, you're probably chuckling right now. Gosh, I remember saying those same words myself (without the reference to occupational therapy careers; I was going to be a Meg Whitman instead).

Here's my advice to new grads: Be flexible. Make a list (like a shopping list) of the things you want in your occupational therapy jobs. Think about things like setting, money, location, benefits, manager's style, team work vs. working alone, contract positions vs. travel therapy jobs vs. part time PRN. Now rank them. Be honest; not everything is going to be a "must have." Use this list when you're interviewing for occupational therapy jobs. If you're flexible about your requirements and your expectations, you might just land a job you love as much as I love mine. (Even though I turned out to be no Meg Whitman.)

OK, Occupational Therapists, the student I spoke with last night will be reading this blog. What one piece of advice would you give her in her job search?