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“During my studies, I acquired many practical skills that help me in my day-to-day work today.”
Johanna Kodolitsch completed her bachelor’s degree at FH JOANNEUM and teaches alongside her freelance work as an occupational therapist on the occupational therapy course in Bad Gleichenberg.
🎓What I studied:
- Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy, ERG14
- Master’s degree in Health Management
💻 My job: Student advisor and event coordinator at FH JOANNEUM in Graz, Austria
📭 How to get in touch: Employee portrait,
My friendship book entry
Me in three emojis: 🫶 🛠️ 🚀
In my free time: I like to be creative with my hands. Among other things, I make my own beaded earrings.
When I was little I wanted to be a superhero, now I’m an occupational therapist. Goal achieved!
If I hadn’t studied occupational therapy, I would probably be doing something with people, something with meaning, something with heart. So I ended up becoming an occupational therapist again – just with a different title.
This was the coolest internship: at Mosaik in Graz (pediatrics) and at the Asklepios Clinic in Hamburg (geriatrics) during my bachelor’s degree
This is where I spent the time after the lectures: studying with friends or upstairs at ÖJAB
The best food on campus: was at our monthly cooking groups, when my fellow student cooked for the whole year.
My favorite place on campus: our old workroom. I was able to express myself creatively here.
That’s how I celebrated my graduation: With a trip to Italy, lots of sightseeing, good food and Chianti.
My job in a nutshell: I help people to (re)discover their superpowers in everyday life.
About my studies
If my studies were an animal, it would be an octopus. Because they adapt extremely well to their environment, changing color or shape – just like occupational therapists adapt flexibly to the needs of their clients.
You’re guaranteed to learn this during your studies: Multitasking & mindreading: you learn to take a medical history, plan therapy and make small talk all at the same time – while responding to the unspoken needs of your clients. You gain an insight into what people really need in order to shape their lives in a self-determined way – and can start right there.
The best course was: It’s hard to say, but I’ve always loved geriatrics.
Fun fact from your studies? 📐 You learn that therapy chairs can cost more than a used small car. And yet everyone in the practice asks: “Why does that chair look so funny?”
My tip for students
Occupational therapy is more than a profession – it is the art of empowering people in their everyday lives. You need curiosity, compassion and sometimes the ability to see a potholder as a therapeutic tool.
Johanna at her graduation ceremony.
Vacation in Italy after graduation.
About my job
I help people to regain what is really important to them in life: independence, purpose and a sense of normality. I turn everyday life into therapy – and therapy into everyday life.
What I particularly love about my job is the incredible variety: no two people, no two days and no two therapies are the same. It is particularly fulfilling for me to experience how meaningful my work is and how it can actually bring about change. I can also give free rein to my creativity, tinker, improvise and be completely myself.
Of course, there are also challenges: The paperwork sometimes takes up more time than the actual therapy, there’s often not enough time for all the good ideas, and it frustrates me when systems don’t yet fully recognize the potential of occupational therapy.
In addition to specialist knowledge, my job requires empathy, a genuine interest in people, creativity, flexibility, patience, the ability to work in a team and a good dose of humor – for the client and for myself.
One of my best professional moments was baking together with a patient with dementia: while baking apple pie, she suddenly remembered her mother’s recipe exactly. We laughed, sliced and baked together – and created a moment full of dignity, memories and genuine participation.
I have big plans for the future: I want to pass on my knowledge, inspire others for this profession – be it through teaching, further training or my own projects – and play an active role in the further development of occupational therapy.
Our Graduates
Would you like to get to know other FH JOANNEUM graduates and find out more about their studies and career paths? You can find all the portraits here.