Iffers (Jennifer) Chan MA ’18
Hometown: La Cañada, CA
Program: Entry-Level Master’s, Class of 2018
What brought you to occupational therapy?
My family always encouraged me to go into occupational therapy as my aunt was an OT and felt like it would be a good “fit” for me. But of course, as a stubborn and independent teenager, I had dreams to do exactly the opposite of what my parents wanted: creative writing. Then freshman orientation came along and I needed to register for classes. Along with the writing and general education classes I signed up for, my academic advisor wouldn’t let me leave until I registered for one more class. His recommendation? Introduction to Occupational Therapy. The rest is history.
What area of practice are you interested in?
Good question. I ask myself that all the time and still don’t have a perfect answer. Today, I’m interested in physical disabilities in a hospital setting, but ask me tomorrow and I’ll likely have a different answer. But that’s also one thing I love about OT: there are so many areas to practice and almost too little time to explore them all!
What are some of the occupations you engage in?
You’ll be fortunate to spot me out in the wild because I have a hard time staying still, but if you do, you’ll most likely find me hiking, running, or exploring the world (from scouring LA for the best ice cream shop to international travel, I’m always in search of something new). On a rainy day, you’ll likely find me curled up with a cup of tea and a good book, scrapbooking, hand lettering, or composing music.
What do you think is the greatest invention of mankind?
Harnessed electricity. Or the toilet. Please don’t take either one of them away from me. (Please.)
If your childhood had a smell, what would it be?
Tomato plants and fireplaces. (Yes, those things have a smell.) They bring back fond memories of long summer days eating fresh tomatoes off of the vine and crisp winter evenings perched in front of the fireplace with a board game.
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