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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Ian Murray MA ’16

Ian Murray MA ’16

Hometown: Let’s just say New York, Atlanta, and Berkeley, CA
Program: Entry-Level Master’s, Class of 2016

What brought you to occupational therapy?
As a life long martial artist it was always my ambition to pursue a career inspiring others to take control of their health and well being. I was exposed to occupational therapy through my Judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu students who included a man with athetoid cerebral palsy, and children with developmental and learning disabilities. When I did the research into what occupational therapy was, it’s theory and practices really spoke to me.

Describe your background before coming to occupational therapy.
After undergrad I spent time traveling and competing as a sponsored mixed martial artist and worked as an instructor in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Tell us about your favorite memory from the program so far.
During my Level II fieldwork at a skilled nursing facility I watched a patient who was recovering from Guillain-Barré walk to his son’s car after 9 months of recovery.

What is your spirit animal and why would this animal represent you?
A two-toed sloth, because they have maximum efficiency with minimal effort. And two toed because they are cuter than three-toed sloths.

How do you want to be remembered?
I would like to be remembered as someone kind and strong, compassionate and daring, a seeker of truth who found peace in reality.