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Lindsey Taylor MA ’20

What brought you to USC?
The amazing, world-renowned OT program, of course!! And the extraordinary opportunity to finish both degrees in just 5 years, offered by the Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s program.

What brought you to Occupational Therapy?
I decided I wanted to become an occupational therapist my junior year in high school, after joining an interdisciplinary team of therapists called BRIGHT Children International, on a therapy-based medical service trip to Nicaragua. My mother is a pediatric physical therapist, so I was exposed to the world of Allied Health care from a very young age and always knew I wanted to do something within that field, but I didn’t know which discipline I wanted to pursue. On this trip to Nicaragua, I intended to shadow a therapist of every discipline to help me determine which discipline I most enjoyed. After spending the first day with an incredibly skilled, compassionate, and inspirational OT, I fell in love with the practice, shadowed the OT for the entire two weeks, and my path was set!

OT is the perfect blend of everything I’m passionate about in life. I love to connect with people — I’m passionate about people and their stories. I love to empower people to live their happiest, healthiest lives — I’m passionate about holistic health and wellness. I love mothers and families — I’m passionate about developmental science and the intricacies of culture. I’m fascinated by the incredible miracle that is the human body — I’m a total nerd when it comes to neuroscience, anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. I love art — I’m passionate about the process and especially the mess, the healing powers of creativity. Essentially, occupational therapy is my person in a profession and I could not be more thrilled to be on this journey of becoming an OT!

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
I love to travel — I’ve been to 30 different countries, all over the world. I love immersing myself in a new culture and language and learning a new way to see the world and celebrate life. I also love to swim — I swam competitively my whole life and it’s still my favorite way to challenge myself physically, and mentally release. And art!! I’m a ceramist and painter — I love working with my hands to make beautiful things.

If your childhood had a smell, what would it be?
My grandma — she’s my best friend since I was born and always smells like lavender and hand cream and home.

What are some small things that make your day better?
If I’m overheated or stressed or just need a moment, I like to do a cooling breath, where I slowly inspire through a taco tongue and then slowly expire through my nose. Also taking a power nap always refreshes me with a little boost of energy.

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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 fully 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) has applied for accreditation and has been granted Preaccreditation Status 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. The program must complete an on-site evaluation and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT®).

Professional program graduates are eligible to apply for certification by National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT®), nbcot.org. Program results from the NBCOT® can be found online at www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.