Home ⟩The People of USC Chan ⟩Meet Our Trojan Family ⟩Entry-Level Doctorate (OTD)

Earl Ace Sy MA ’22

What brought you to occupational therapy?
After a post-grad of uncertainty and soul-searching, one of my best friends introduced me to occupational therapy. Because I’m a dancer, she asked “why not help others use their bodies to the fullest?” I fell in love with OT’s holistic approach and the fact that I would be able to combine my passions for creativity, movement, little humans, and building community.

Describe your background before coming to occupational therapy.
Before pursuing occupational therapy, I was interested in Dentistry because I wanted to “help people with their smile.” Now, I can work with others to help them engage in the meaningful activities of life that bring joy and make them smile. Through my pursuit of occupational therapy school, I’ve not only continued my passion for dance as a parade performer at Disneyland, but I’ve been able to work with children with disabilities and help them participate in dance as well.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
Some of my favorite occupations include dancing, eating (anything with cheese), being weird with friends, dabbling in design, and pretending to be a vlogger.

Tell us about your favorite memory from the program so far.
All the moments Dr. Rafeedie breaks out in ’90s grooves. And the ricocheting diarrhea anecdote.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“Give yourself grace” — For many of us, we always know how to comfort our friends and show understanding and empathy when others are discouraged. There’s no rule that makes you less deserving of the compassion that you would give someone in your situation when life has its ups and downs.

If you were famous, what would you be famous for?
I would be famous for my very bad, but also very great, cheesy dad jokes and puns.

If you could be immortal, what age would you choose to stop aging at and why?
24. You’re old enough to have fun and still be responsible, but also young enough to not be too responsible. At this age, there’s beauty in the struggle of figuring out yourself and the world.

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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.