Journey Map
The journey map visually represents the progression of my experiences, challenges, and achievements throughout my academic and personal development. It highlights key moments that have shaped my identity, influenced my goals, and contributed to my growth over time. By mapping these experiences, I am able to better understand how different opportunities, transitions, and reflections connect to form a meaningful narrative of learning and self-discovery.
Old Journey map (HON200) Updated Journey Map
Comparing my original journey map to my updated one highlights how much clarity and direction I have gained throughout my time in the Honors College. When I first created my journey map at the start of my undergraduate career, my interests were broad and largely aspirational. I was deeply interested in public health and global health, with a strong desire to help underserved populations and improve healthcare systems at a large scale. While this passion guided my motivation, my goals at the time were more idealistic than concrete, and I had limited exposure to direct patient care or specific career pathways.
As my undergraduate experience progressed, hands-on involvement through volunteering, clinical exposure, and leadership roles reshaped my understanding of how meaningful change occurs. My updated journey map reflects a shift from system-level abstraction to patient-centered impact. Through direct patient interactions, I discovered occupational therapy as a profession that aligned with both my values and strengths—allowing me to support individuals in practical, human-centered ways while still addressing broader health inequities.
Another key difference between the two maps is the level of intentionality. My original map focused on exploration, whereas my updated map demonstrates purposeful decision-making, professional growth, and preparedness for the next stage of my journey. The acceptance into the IU Occupational Therapy Doctoral program represents not just an academic milestone, but the culmination of experiences that helped refine my goals and solidify my professional identity.
Ultimately, these two journey maps illustrate my growth from a student motivated by passion alone to a soon-to-be graduate with direction, confidence, and a clear path forward. My Honors experience played a critical role in this transformation, providing opportunities for reflection, exploration, and engagement that allowed me to evolve into the future occupational therapist I am becoming.