Faculty / Staff Resources Student Resources
University of Southern California
University of Southern California
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
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Nicole Batoy MA ’23

Nicole Batoy MA ’23

Hometown: San Diego, CA
Program: Entry-Level Master’s, Class of 2023

What brought you to occupational therapy?
I was an Undeclared first-year undergraduate student when I first learned about occupational therapy while researching different healthcare professions. I immediately became interested because the field is so unique in the way that it addresses patients’ individual needs and lifestyles. I love occupational therapy because it is rooted in acceptance, understanding, and compassion and empowers others to live life healthily according to their own values and interests.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
I love reading manga, fiction, and fashion magazines, buying and arranging flowers, thrift shopping, drawing, listening to Korean R&B, and taking pictures!

Describe your background before coming to occupational therapy.
I graduated from UC Irvine in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Behavior and a minor in Asian American Studies. At UCI, I did field study as a peer life coach for the university’s Counseling Center, where I developed individualized goal-setting programs for first and second-year students with various social and academic needs. After graduation, I briefly worked for the Women’s Health department of a genetics company before coming to USC for my dream program!

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
I’d love to visit Tokyo for the Olympics and afterwards visit museums, try local restaurants, and spend an entire day just biking around any nearby city!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“There is no right or wrong way of doing things, just your way, so go at your own pace.”