Oisín Cahill
From business and economics to occupational therapy (OT), Oisín Cahill is making a significant change in direction as he prepares to begin Portobello Institute’s MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) this autumn.
For Oisín, who is from Kilkenny, occupational therapy was not always the career he imagined for himself. But personal experience, a desire to support others, and the discovery of a pathway that could make entering the profession possible brought his ambitions into sharper focus.
Connecting Personal Experience with Career Choice
Before applying to Portobello Institute, Oisín studied business and economics at Maynooth University. At the time, choosing a broad degree felt like the right decision.
“I was unsure of what I wanted to do, and this route allowed me to have a base for multiple options if I wanted to change direction down the line,” he reflects.
Initially, Oisín had teaching in mind, particularly business and economics, with the possibility of eventually moving into secondary school special education and working with children with special needs.
That interest was deeply personal. Growing up with a sister who is autistic shaped his understanding of the difference the right support can make and prompted him to think seriously about a career centred on making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
“I always felt I enjoyed helping people, so it felt right,” he says. “I’ve found that another profession, outside of teaching, can bring these values together.”
Realising Occupational Therapy Was Within Reach
Oisín had always been aware of occupational therapy, but because of his undergraduate background, he had assumed it was not a profession he could pursue.
“I didn’t think it was a possible route because of the course I had studied in Maynooth,” he explains.
A meeting with a career guidance counsellor gave him a different perspective. Once Oisín discovered that postgraduate study could provide an entry point into occupational therapy, he began researching his options and contacting Portobello Institute.
Oisín adds: “I sent emails enquiring and it all seemed to fit perfectly for me. For someone who was always unsure about what path I’d take in life, this was one of the first things that caught my attention and I knew it was for me.”
Choosing one subject at undergraduate level does not mean closing the door on other professions. Oisín’s story shows how a different route can lead into occupational therapy and work that better reflects your interests and ambitions.
Seeing the Impact of Occupational Therapy First-Hand
Oisín’s decision to study occupational therapy and work towards becoming a practising OT was also shaped by his experience supporting his sister through rehabilitation, where he saw the work of occupational therapists first-hand.
“My sister spent nearly a year in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, much of the time trying to regain her strength and mobility,” Oisín shares. “The OTs were brilliant with her and the energy they brought to their work was inspiring.”
He remembers watching his sister go from having very limited movement to independently using her wheelchair and later lifting herself into a stander.
“Seeing little bits of progress was emotional but heartwarming. Those moments were a joy to witness, and you could see the pride the OTs took in their work.”
Back then, Oisín still did not consider occupational therapy an option for his own career because he did not believe he had an academic route into the profession. Once he learned otherwise, his memories of his sister’s rehabilitation took on a new significance.
“When I found out the option was there and thought back to working with them briefly in the Mater Hospital and National Rehabilitation Hospital, I was convinced that was what I wanted,” says Oisín.
Why Portobello Institute Stood Out
As Oisín explored where to study occupational therapy, the learning environment at Portobello Institute was an important consideration.
“I’ve always preferred the thought of learning in a smaller group,” he points out. “I like the smaller campus and close-knit atmosphere Portobello offers.”
That more personal setting appealed to Oisín as he prepares to enter an entirely new field of study. He will continue living with friends and commute from Maynooth to complete the MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) in person, although the programme is also available through a blended delivery format for students seeking greater flexibility.
Oisín’s application and enrolment experience with Portobello Institute has also helped reinforce his decision.
“I found the whole process nearly perfect as every question or doubt I had was given complete clarity by anyone I emailed or spoke to on a call,” Oisín recalls. “All the members of staff I dealt with were so helpful and positive.”
Beginning His OT Studies
As the start of the MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) approaches, Oisín is ready to immerse himself in a new field, develop his understanding of the profession, and put his learning into practice through placement.
The MSc is a pre-registration programme, awarded by Health Sciences University, Portobello’s UK partner university, and is designed to prepare graduates for professional practice, including the next steps involved in applying for registration.
Because occupational therapist is a protected professional title, practitioners must meet the relevant registration requirements before using it, with CORU regulating the profession in Ireland and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the UK.
“I’m really looking forward to going into a course where I’m excited about what I’ll be studying,” he says. “I’m excited to learn and get into placement.”
“I hope to have a refreshing introduction to a whole new world that I haven’t necessarily been in before, make plenty of friends, and see their views and backgrounds as we go through the two years together.”
The demands of master’s-level study are something Oisín feels prepared for, and he is approaching the academic challenge positively and with determination.
“I’m mentally putting myself in a position to commit and make sure I give 100%,” he adds.
The Occupational Therapist He Hopes to Become
Oisín is already thinking beyond qualification to the kind of impact he hopes to make in practice.
“I want to be an occupational therapist who makes a difference – whether that’s creating something to support people, helping someone see the positives during difficult times, or assisting with their physical needs,” says Oisín.
“If someone is told they can’t do something, I’d like to help them believe they can and make the best of whatever situation they’re facing.”
Oisín’s Advice to Fellow Career Changers
Occupational therapy was not part of Oisín’s original career plan. For anyone who has recently discovered the profession and is questioning whether changing direction is too big a step, he believes that uncertainty should not automatically stop them from exploring it.
“Take me as an example. I studied business and economics, which are common subjects – but very different from OT and the health sciences,” he says.
“It might be daunting to move away from what you originally thought was the way for you, but sometimes change is what you need.”
Finding the OT career path gave Oisín a sense of certainty that had previously been missing.
“When you make a change like this, it will just feel right. There’s such a refreshing, positive feeling. That’s when you know it’s for you.”
Although his studies at Portobello Institute are only about to begin, Oisín’s experience so far has given him confidence about the decision he has made.
“Obviously, I haven’t started the course yet, but everything I’ve gone through so far – whether that’s admissions, researching the programme, or talking to staff – has been exactly what I was looking for.”
Move Closer to a Career in Occupational Therapy
If, like Oisín, you have discovered occupational therapy after following a different academic or professional path, Portobello Institute’s MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) could help you take the next step towards a meaningful new career.
Explore the MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) programme and apply directly to Portobello Institute.
Interested in becoming an OT but still early in your studies and planning ahead for postgraduate study? Our BSc (Hons) Applied Health Science offers an undergraduate route that can prepare you for master’s-level study in occupational therapy and provide the academic entry requirements needed for progression.
