Dumontet credits her FKRM education for setting her up for success in occupational therapy studies. "Kinesiology laid the foundation necessary for an understanding of human movement, a key component to any rehab field." // rachwalphotography
KinRec Connect: Jacquelyn Dumontet, 2011
Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management graduates often obtain employment in their field of expertise straight out of the graduation gate. Our alumni also leverage their education to gain entry into graduate and doctorate level programs, such as those offered in medicine and rehabilitation sciences.
October is Occupational Therapy month. Jacquelyn Dumontet [B.Kin/11, M.O.T./14] is a mental health professional with the Winnipeg Regional Heath Authority who earned a master of occupational therapy degree at the U of M after obtaining a bachelor of kinesiology parchment from the university a couple years prior.
In the October edition of KinRec Connect, Dumontet shares more about her time as a FKRM student, how it prepared her for the jump into occupational therapy studies, and how it’s all helped forge her into the professional she is today.
What year did you graduate from U of M and what was your degree/major?
I earned my bachelor of kinesiology degree in 2011 and then my master’s in occupational therapy in 2014.
How did your time as a student in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management help in your career and personal goals?
Well, interestingly, in my first year we had to research a future career that interested us. I chose occupational therapy (OT), and as part of the assignment had to make contact with persons employed as same. Unbeknownst to me, several years later the two people I contacted would be part of my OT world; one as my first fieldwork educator and the second as a professor. Beyond that, Kinesiology laid the foundation necessary for an understanding of human movement, a key component to any rehab field, as well as the confidence to interact with a variety of clients. Fieldwork was fantastic as it allows you to “trial” a career you may be interested in without the commitment.
What were some of your greatest challenges as a student, and what were some of your best experiences?
Time management is struggle for most students, personally I struggled with it as I maintained full-time employment throughout my schooling (and am also a full-time procrastinator ;). Best experiences I would have say were labs; the hands-on learning was invaluable. The energy within the faculty, both professors and students, was unique and served to re-energize me during times I was perhaps reconsidering my chosen field.
What made you decide to pursue your master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, and how did your B.Kin prepare you for that next step in your educational journey?
One of my professors ran an exercise research lab that I was fortunate to be hired by. It was my employment within there, and realization that many individuals weren’t able to reach physical health goals as a direct result of other, but often, socioeconomic barriers. I was drawn to OT for its holistic treatment approach. Again, Kinesiology was helpful as it laid the groundwork for understanding some vital parts of rehab, namely the human body, as well as the importance of being able to engage a wide audience.
Could you tell us a little about your career since you graduated? What’s your current position, and what do you like best about your current position.
I’m employed in the mental health field at the Crisis Response Centre as a Mental Health Clinician. My role is largely mental health assessments completed on individuals presenting amidst a mental health crisis. I also work casual with PACT, where clients are followed on long-term basis. Presently, I enjoy the variability in my days. Though at times chaotic, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to get to know a wide variety of people, and usually their intensely personal stories, in a short amount of time and hopefully have the opportunity to affect positive change.
What advice do you have for current FKRM students interested in pursuing OT or another related field?
Do it! Shadow anyone you can and ask a lot of questions. Connect with your faculty of interest beforehand and get you name out there! Also, take the fieldwork option. It’s invaluable and you get extra time to hang with Colleen Plumton.