When I grow up… | Connor Swanson, Occupational Therapy
In honor of NAU’s College of Health and Human Services’ third annual Health Careers Week, we invited our alumni to think back to their childhood to answer the question: What did you want to be when you grew up? Today, they serve patients, communities, and the broader health system in impactful ways. Read on to learn about what led Connor to Occupational Therapy .
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why did that career interest you at the time?
When I was little, I wanted to be an architect. I was a big LEGO fan and enjoyed creating instructed and novel designs.
What led you to your current career?
My current career, occupational therapy, was a result of seeing current practicing OTs and seeing how they integrate “doing” into health – yes even legos can be an intervention for the appropriate patient!
What do you love most about what you do now?
What I love the most about being and OT is being able to meet patients where they are at the moment, and working on realistic, tangible skills that myself and the patient can see the results of.
What advice would you give your younger self about choosing a career?
If I could speak now, with my former self, I would advise him to stay present, as much as he could. All of the experiences I had were valuable in making me me. Regarding a career, I believe that using all of my eclectic interests and skills only benefitted me in the end.
What part of your job would younger you think is cool?
Younger me would think that the creativity I put into my treatments and interventions is very cool – but I would remind him that I couldn’t do it without him!
Interested in exploring what you want to be when you grow up? Join us for our third annual What Should I Be When I Grow Up? event on March 25.