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Are you interested in becoming an occupational therapist? Have you ever wondered what your first year is like as a student in the University of Pittsburgh’s entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program, ranked #1 (tie) in the nation by U.S. News & World Report? As the past academic year came to an end, we surveyed first-year students about their experiences. See what some of Pitt Occupational Therapy’s first-year OTD students had to say about the program.
What do you love about occupational therapy and/or being a Pitt OTD student?
“I love that occupational therapy can be fun for the client even if they are working on something challenging. While other health care professions may have a set treatment for different deficits/disorders, occupational therapy has unlimited interventions possible, which allows the occupational therapist (OT) to be creative and really tailor the treatment to the client. This makes occupational therapy fun for us and the client.”
– Rebecca Graham (OTD’ 26)
“I love how holistic occupational therapy is. It really is a profession that is focused on the body as well as the mind and soul. I think that the Pitt Department of Occupational Therapy staff is super friendly and the faculty are always willing to chat with you if you are having a hard time which I really appreciated this year because this was definitely an adjustment. I also love the camaraderie within the cohort. Everyone has their own groups, but people are friendly to each other.”
– Molly Kenny (OTD’ 26)
What have been your favorite things you learned during the first year in the OTD program?
“I really enjoyed my neuroscience classes because I find the brain and spinal cord, and how they affect behavior and abilities, to be fascinating. I knew nothing about neuroscience coming into this program, so these classes really deepened my understanding of the body.”
– Rebecca Graham (OTD’ 26)
“I think my favorite class has been Health Policy. I love looking at the logistics and the laws and how we can interpret them.”
– Molly Kenny (OTD’ 26)
“I enjoyed learning about the how the body functions and how I apply occupations to support those functions to improve a deficit.”
– Matt Monte (OTD’ 26)
What are some of your goals for your second year in the OTD program?
“My biggest goal is to be as prepared as possible for Level II Fieldwork. I want to improve my pediatric and developmental knowledge in my Developmental Theory and Practice course I am taking in the fall. I also want to brush up on my acute care and medical knowledge before I go off for my other fieldwork at a Cleveland Clinic hospital.”
– Rebecca Graham (OTD’ 26)
“Learn more about ways I can improve my current knowledge while gaining new experiences from my time in fieldwork and trying to implement the knowledge I have learned in the classroom to the field.”
– Matt Monte (OTD’ 26)
What advice would you offer incoming OTD students?
“My advice would be to not assume what topics you will be good at or bad at, and what you will and will not enjoy. I had no idea how much I would enjoy neuroscience, and I am surprised at how fun the geriatric population has been. I am happy I did not limit myself to my current comfort zone because it has allowed me to grow my knowledge much more.”
– Rebecca Graham (OTD’ 26)
“Take advantage of the resources! I know it can be awkward to ask for help if you need it, but the teachers really are there to support you. Also take time for yourself. Assignments will get finished so don’t stress too hard about it. Lean on your support system, they will get you through the rough times.”
– Molly Kenny (OTD’ 26)
“Don’t overthink and trust your gut. You are smarter than you think you are.”
– Matt Monte (OTD’ 26)