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Brittany Eng MA ’22

What brought you to occupational therapy?
Growing up alongside family members diagnosed with a variety of health issues, I have always been passionate about helping others and have always had a heart for healthcare. Throughout high school and college, I volunteered at various healthcare practices and when I discovered that occupational therapists utilize occupations in order to restore and promote engagement in meaningful activities, I absolutely fell in love. Being someone who values quality of life and living life to the fullest, I hope to help others overcome obstacles and achieve the ability to participate in the occupations they consider meaningful. Working as an aide at a hand therapy clinic and volunteering at several pediatric clinics allowed me to see patients on a weekly basis, build a connection, and be there for them during what they may consider the most difficult time of their lives. These experiences have all taught me that I can make a positive impact on not only the lives of others, but their families and the community as well.

What area of practice are you interested in?
Initially, I was introduced to pediatrics within occupational therapy and really took interest in working with children with special needs. However, I started working in a hand therapy clinic back in college and was exposed to that side of OT and also really enjoyed that area of interest as well! Though there are so many specialties and I am still figuring out what I want to specialize in, I am leaning towards physical rehabilitation.

Describe your background before coming to occupational therapy.
I attended UC Irvine for my Bachelor of Science in Public Health and worked as an aide in a hand therapy office for a year and a half. After graduating, I worked as a behavior interventionist in the San Gabriel Valley before starting my master’s degree at USC!

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
I enjoy outdoor activities such as boogieboarding at the beach as well as sports such as basketball, golf, and tennis. Playing the guitar is also one of my favorite occupations!

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
I would definitely travel to Iceland — I even created a specific Pinterest board consisting of places to go within the country! In particular, I really want to stay in a glass igloo hotel, where people can essentially view the Northern Lights from the comfort of their beds. The natural beauty of the country is stunning and seems so different than anything you would find anywhere else in the world.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“Know yourself. Know your worth.”

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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.