My journey into occupational therapy started in high school while taking my medical careers course. I took this course for three years and got valuable insights into the healthcare sector, including skills that would be of use to me while working in the therapy field. I already knew I wanted to go into occupational therapy based on all the research I had done on the profession, but the only therapy program at my school was for physical therapy. By the time I graduated, I had passed certification exams to be both a medical assistant and a physical therapy technician. I worked as an MA for approximately six months to gain some experience before I realized that that type of job was not for me. For the past three years now, I have been working as a physical therapy technician, which has given me a lot of experience in outpatient therapy settings and helped me form close connections with both my PT and OT coworkers. At my place of employment, I had the opportunity to shadow a certified hand therapist, and that is when I realized that this may be the specialty for me to go into. Occupational therapists help individuals gain independence in the activities that are most meaningful to them while providing a holistic approach to treatment. By seeing firsthand the impact OTs made on the lives of many, it further solidified my decision to one day work in this profession.
I attended Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I was in the accelerated 3+2 occupational therapy program, in which my undergraduate degree in sociology was done in three years and afterwards I completed two years of graduate studies. The occupational therapy graduate program consisted of four academic semesters and two clinical semesters. In my first semester, I took foundational courses like Functional Anatomy, Human Conditions Across the Lifespan, and An Introduction to Occupational Therapy. My second semester was focused on mental health, where I explored the role of occupational therapy within this context. During the third semester, I concentrated on adult and geriatric studies, engaging in practical sessions, simulations, and diverse hands-on activities. Then, in the fourth semester, I transitioned to pediatric and adolescent coursework, which involved immersive experiences such as utilizing the sensory integration lab to gain expertise in pediatric occupational therapy techniques.
Following the completion of my academic coursework, I embarked on my clinical rotations, each spanning 12 weeks and encompassing two distinct OT settings. My initial clinical rotation took place at Building Blocks Pediatric Occupational Therapy in Westport, CT. As I wrap up my final week there, I am deeply appreciative of the invaluable experience I have gained over the past few months. Under the guidance of my exceptional supervisor, Justine Bedocs, I have acquired a wealth of knowledge in pediatric occupational therapy. Throughout this period, I witnessed both my patients and myself evolve, particularly in terms of my confidence in note-writing, conducting assessments, writing reports, and creating treatment plans. With Justine’s mentorship, I have transitioned from a state of initial nervousness to complete independence in executing these tasks, significantly boosting my self-confidence as a therapist.
I am grateful for all the children and their amazing families that I had the pleasure of working with, as well as my guidance from Justine. The last three months significantly increased my confidence in my own abilities, and I owe it to all of the individuals I met along the way. I will take this experience with me in my next clinical rotation in a general outpatient setting in Bridgeport, CT. I am excited to expand my knowledge and learn even more about OT practice to soon become the best OTR/L I can be.
