Assignment 26: Mentorship Reflection

This year I have spent time interning at Essential Therapy Services under the leadership of owner/therapist Tina Black. This experience has introduced me to many of the aspects of therapy that I had not been previously aware of. Initially I was prepared to pursue a career in pediatric occupational therapy, and this mentorship has confirmed that decision. When I began my internship, I was given a lot of freedom to choose which therapists I would like to shadow and I took advantage of this by shadowing several occupational therapists as well as two physical and speech therapists. This experience helped me get the most from my internship as I confirmed that my passion is occupational therapy. As I enter into college, this confirmation will encourage me to pursue a degree in exercise and sports science so that I can become an occupational therapist.

As I interned, I was extremely intentional about asking questions so that I would learn as much as possible in this short year. I learned a lot about how therapists set goals for their patients and how they create treatment plans to work to achieve these goals. For example, I learned that private occupational therapists can not repeat any goals set by school occupational therapists, in order for the services to be paid for by insurance. I also learned the proper way to write and record the various goals, as well as the importance of including the patient and their parents in the goal setting process. In addition to these conversations, I had many conversations revolving around how the therapists discovered they wanted to be an occupational therapist and how they made their dreams a reality. Because I am a senior, these conversations gave me a lot of great advice for how to proceed in my education so that I can be a successful therapist. Overall, the therapists were extremely willing to share what they have learned, and therefor by asking questions I learned so much more than I could've ever imagined through this internship.

When future students enter the HMP class, I would stress the importance of choosing an internship that they are passionate about and will be excited to focus on for an entire year. I loved going to work each week, and that was the driving force behind my excitement for the HMP class. In addition, I would stress intentionality and self-advocation to any new students. In my case, I learned that my mentors were more than happy to help me, but I had to ask for help or for deeper explanation when I didn't understand things. They would occasionally forget that I was a high school student instead of a college intern and assume that I knew things that I did not, but by self-advocating I was able to learn so much through these experiences. Overall, my HMP experience was amazing and I learned so much about my future career. I am so thankful that I took advantage of this opportunity.