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Alvina Anderson MA ’22

What brought you to occupational therapy?
After eleven years as a stay home Mom, I was on the verge of becoming an empty nester and was looking for a new career but had no idea what direction I was headed. A friend suggested I make a list of all the job characteristics I was looking for in my next career and OT checked most of my boxes. The only problem was I had no idea what OT was! After some research I discovered OT and I were destined to find each other.

What area of practice are you interested in?
I am most interested in healthy aging for older adults but I’m curious to learn more about OT in mental health.

Describe your background before coming to occupational therapy.
Before grad school I was a full time parent for the past 11 years. Before being a full time parent I spent 11 years in network television. Looks like every 11 years I make a major life change!

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
Before Covid I loved trying new restaurants with friends. I also enjoy watching basketball and football and online shopping.

Tell us about your favorite memory from the program so far.
Favorite memory was Dr. Persson and the TAs neuro themed Zoom performance of “Like a Prayer” during the summer session.

How do you plan to use Occupational Therapy in the future?
After learning about occupational justice, my ultimate goal is to start a nonprofit to bring OT services to an underserved population.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
St. Tropez.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“Life is a balance of holding on and letting go” — Rumi.

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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.