In the latest instalment of our Alumni Spotlight series, we speak to Olwen Kennedy who studied Sports and Exercise Sciences at undergraduate level before returning to UL to complete a master’s in Occupational Therapy. Olwen is now working as an occupational therapist with the HSE Limerick Drug and Alcohol Service.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Olwen Kennedy and I’m originally from Dublin. I first visited University of Limerick at an open day in December 2011 and fell in love with the campus. Upon leaving school, sport was my biggest passion. I was a Sports Captain at Mount Sackville Secondary School in Chapelizod. I loved to run, I remember seeing the track and attending a talk given by the late Dr PJ Smyth and knowing the Physical Education and Sport Sciences building was where I wanted to be. I did a BSc in Sport and Exercise Sciences, graduating in 2016 and loved every minute of it. I returned to the University of Limerick in 2017 to pursue an MSc in Occupational Therapy.
Why did you choose the MSc in Occupational Therapy at UL?
I knew I wanted to pursue a career in health and social care. What drew me to occupational therapy above other options was the broad array of career opportunities and workplace settings. I loved my time at UL as an undergraduate, and I loved Limerick as a city and as a place to live, so that was also a huge motivator to return.
What did you enjoy most about the course?
The variety of educators, subject matters, teaching modalities and most of all people, every one of my classmates brought something different into the room. During the very first week of occupational therapy, we were brought for “A day in the woods” which involved woodcarving, jewellery making and printing; it certainly wasn’t what any of us were expecting and I think many days in the two years were like that, as no two days of learning were the same.
Can you tell us about your occupational therapy placements and your thesis?
The placements are a real highlight of the MSc in Occupational Therapy. I was so lucky to have had such a variety of placement opportunities with fantastic educators. I spent four weeks in St. Mary’s Hospital in the Phoenix Park, eight weeks in St. John of God’s Disability Services in Celbridge, Co Kildare, eight weeks in Ballyfermot and Lucan Community Adult Mental Health Team, and nine weeks in University Hospital Galway.
My thesis was on “The Factors Which Impact Non-Familial Intergenerational Interaction within Public Space: An Integrative Review” under the supervision of Dr Pauline Boland, and I had the opportunity to present at the Irish Gerontological Society Conference, which made all the hard work pay off.
What did you most enjoy about UL?
The best bit about UL is the people; I’m getting married this year (to a UL graduate, of course) and I’m so excited that I’ll have friends from my undergraduate, masters and from the UL Athletics Club there! Some of my best memories are from my time at UL.
Are there any campus locations that hold special significance for you?
The campus in UL is second to none. The riverbank for me is special, the river Shannon runs right through the campus and is an oasis amidst the hustle and bustle. The campus has changed a lot since I first arrived in Limerick in 2012 but the riverbank remains much the same. I still walk my dog there most weekends and it brings back fond memories of running with friends, learning to row and walking to exams with housemates from Thomond Village.
How did UL support you throughout your studies?
The MSc in Occupational Therapy is an accelerated learning environment. The volume of content and self-directed learning was a big step up for me from my undergraduate course, but the support was invaluable. All of the staff within the OT team were really approachable, and in week one we were introduced to our personal academic tutors. I probably didn’t use this support as much as I should have but having that safety net was really reassuring. Throughout both of my degrees, I spent a lot of time in the library and found the support of the staff there so helpful.
Were you a member of any clubs and societies?
The first thing I did when I came to UL was join UL Athletics Club (ULAC). The friends I made in my first year in college were through running and they’re the people I’m in touch with to this day. Being away from home ULAC became a support structure, older students were huge role models, both academically and in sport. There was a huge sense of community within ULAC and I always felt truly part of the pack! Having various committee roles with ULAC over the years provided me with experience that can’t be got in the classroom setting.
Tell us about your own career journey so far?
Since graduation, I have gained experience working in community adult mental health, university, and hospital settings and currently, I’m finding my feet in Drug and Alcohol services. I spent three years in St. Camillus’ Hospital in Limerick, gaining what I consider really “core OT skills”. There I had the opportunity to work in the stroke unit, rehabilitation ward, long-term care and outpatient functional cognitive assessment. I worked with a big team of occupational therapists and a fantastic occupational therapy assistant and really found my identity as an occupational therapist. Working with older people is a privilege and I’ve so many fond memories from my time there.
A mere 12 months ago I commenced my current post in the Mid-West Drug and Alcohol Service, a service which had never before had an occupational therapist. I work alongside another occupational therapist in the Mid-West Homeless Action Team, with both posts coming under HSE Social Inclusion. At present all of my referrals come from within the Opioid Substitution Treatment programme – whereby a controlled drug is prescribed (e.g. methadone) in place of the drug the person has become addicted to. Unlike the hospital environment which has a very clear structure, no two days in social inclusion are the same, I am learning to be more flexible in my approach and continuing to learn every day.
What advice would you give to students considering a career in Occupational Therapy?
My advice would be to reach out – I don’t believe you’ll truly understand the work of an occupational therapist by reading about it. The great thing about occupational therapists is that most love talking about their work. You can now find lots of occupational therapists on LinkedIn or through the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland. I had seen an occupational therapist at work with older people, and that was my understanding – they installed chair lifts and grab rails in showers, but there’s a bit more to it than that!
What are your hopes and plans for the future?
Right now I’m really happy where I am. I’d love to see more occupational therapists join me in the area of addiction, we are a small crew! I’ve big dreams for this service. I’d love to offer my clients a range of opportunities in-house and establish stronger links with other community agencies.