In 2019, I interned at the Children's Therapy Center in Woodland, CA. Ultimately this experience confirmed my passion and desire to become an Occupational Therapist. 

While graduating during a global pandemic was unexpected, I made the most of it and cherished every moment with family and friends. I was proud of my accomplishment, however I was determined to achieve my ultimate goal of attending Occupational Therapy School. 

During the summer of 2020, I worked at Transcending Autism and Apraxia amongst a population of non-speaking autistic and apraxic teens. Despite having no previous experience or knowledge working with non-speaking or apraxic individuals, this experience is one that I will never forget. I now take with me an abundance of knowledge regarding how Occupational Therapy and Sensory Integration influence the non-speaking population in unique ways. 

I am beyond excited to begin my journey in the MSOT program at Dominican University. I feel safe and welcomed by the fall 2021 cohort as well as the faculty. I am energized to be surrounded by others who share my same passion. I also intend to establish an occupational balance between occupations that bring me joy and occupations that challenge me.

As I start my journey in the MSOT program, I have made a promise to myself to place value not only on my academic studies, but also on creating meaningful relationships. Knowing myself, I am aware that I am easily overwhelmed by school work. Because of this, I often do not prioritize creating meaningful relationships. However, during my journey at Dominican, I intend to prioritize homework and creating meaningful relationships equally. 

I enter the MSOT program with a desire to pursue pediatric Occupational Therapy. However, I have made a promise to myself to enter each class and fieldwork opportunity with an open mind to every realm and possibility of the profession. 

My previous experience working with children on the Autism spectrum has allowed me to see the power of Sensory Integration. I am most looking forward to gaining a deeper and more well rounded foundation of Sensory Integration. 

As a previous communication major, I have a base of communication knowledge. However, I am excited to expand my communication skills, specifically my psychosocial communication skills that will be essential in my growth as an Occupational Therapist. I intend to become an Occupational Therapist who practices empathic communication, active listening, and demonstrates a therapeutic use of self with my future clients and fieldwork opportunities.

I am looking forward to gaining a strong base of knowledge in my Occupational Foundations and Activity Analysis course. I am confident that this course will provide me the tools to effectively develop activity analysis's that will aid my future clients in achieving their goals. I am excited for the opportunity to put my "OT hat on" for the first time, and establish a strong foundation that will carry me throughout my OT career. 

My Human Movement Analysis course has thus far, reshaped how I view the human body and its mechanics. I am excited for the opportunity to gain hands on experience and apply my extensive knowledge of Movement Analysis and OT during future fieldwork opportunities. While this is a course that I for-see being my most challenging course of the semester, I am extremely excited to challenge myself. I intend to enter this challenge with a sense of confidence and passion.