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Jannelle Alino MA ’22

What brought you to occupational therapy?
I honestly went on Google one day when I was a senior in high school and searched for “happiest jobs”. Occupational therapist was one of the top 10 job suggestions and I was instantly drawn to how the field beautifully mixed science and arts in this career. As I learned more about the field during undergrad and volunteered in various settings, I continued to fall in love with the profession more because occupational therapy allows me to have a positive impact on others’ lives and follow my passion for science and arts.

Describe your background before coming to occupational therapy.
Before being enrolled in the program, I was an assistant teacher at a preschool and daycare! I would sometimes lead the lessons and prepare sensory bins and bottles for the different age groups. I worked with children between the ages of 3 months and 13 years old.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
Some of my favorite occupations are journaling, drawing, and listening to music!

If you were famous, what would you be famous for?
Knowing all the lyrics to every single Taylor Swift song and being able to snag concert tickets to sold-out shows.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
I don’t remember where I read this, but it said: “If it costs you your peace, it’s too expensive.” And I feel like it has made a huge, positive difference in my mindset ever since.

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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.