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Angela Kim MA ’20

What brought you to occupational therapy?
I volunteered for a Saturday School for disabled children in high school and absolutely loved my time teaching and helping students with activities such as writing, dancing, and playing sports. I became interested in pursuing a career that would give me more insight into how I can better assist people by guiding them through everyday tasks. One day, my volunteer coordinator told me that occupational therapy sounded like the perfect career for me, so I started volunteering at a pediatric therapy clinic where I got to see an OT at work. Seeing how playfully the occupational therapist interacted with children of various abilities showed me that OT was not just about providing physical support but about caring for the individual as a whole and forming trusting relationships along the way. It seemed that OT was the perfect blend of health science and social support, and I knew that this was the career for me.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
I enjoy singing, playing tennis, knitting/crocheting, snowboarding.

Tell us about your favorite memory from the program so far.
My favorite memory from the program so far definitely has to the biweekly cadaver lab in Anatomy. It took me a while to get used to the pungent smell of the embalming chemicals, but when I did, I began to really appreciate the bodies and their contribution to my learning. It was such a valuable experience to be able to see real human tissue firsthand after learning about them in lecture. I almost miss the smell of lab now. (Is that weird?)

If we opened your fridge, what would we see?
Lots and lots of avocados (the greatest fruit on the planet), hummus, and baby carrots!

What do you think is the greatest invention of mankind?
History textbooks say it’s the Gutenberg printing press. I say it’s the waffle maker.

If you could choose anyone (living or dead) to be your mentor, who would you pick?
Jesus Christ!

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USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
1540 Alcazar Street, CHP 133, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9003

ACOTE accreditation | NBCOT certification

The USC entry-level master’s degree program (cost of attendance) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE®) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The USC entry-level doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) degree program (cost of attendance) is accredited by ACOTE®. View our program’s ACOTE® standards public data. ACOTE® c/o the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.®, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 652-AOTA, www.acoteonline.org.

Professional program graduates are eligible to apply for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT®), nbcot.org. All states require licensure to practice; a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT® OTR certification examination or attain state licensure. Program results from the NBCOT® can be found online at www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.