Student Blog

My Guide for Finding Volunteering and Shadowing Opportunities ⟩
October 5, 2025, by Makayla

Getting Involved Life Hacks

When considering a career in occupational therapy as a high school or undergraduate student, it can be daunting to figure out where to start. As students, we may have a limited scope of practice in what career fields will best suit us in the long run. Therefore, volunteering and shadowing are the best ways to experience what it’s like to be in the shoes of an occupational therapist or any other healthcare practitioner of interest.

While engaging in these experiences can validate your own personal passions or align your own career goals, they may also serve as crucial experiences to help narrow down aspects of a potential career that you dislike. It is beneficial to keep the purpose of your experience to be to explore and discover areas of healthcare that may appeal to you, even if only by observation. A set number of volunteering and observational hours is not required for USC Chan’s Entry-Level Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program Admissions; however, they are highly recommended, as they can help you see the breadth of the field of occupational therapy and the different pathways it can take you on your academic and career journey. Especially being a college student, gaining these experiences can not only help visualize your future in this profession but also provide unique insight and personal contexts that can help inform a great personal statement for applying to occupational therapy school.

Lucky for you, I want to share a few helpful resources to find prospective volunteering and shadowing opportunities that can be a touchpoint to finding new and rewarding learning experiences!

Helpful Resources I Have Found Volunteering/Shadowing

1. USC Chan Website: OS/OT Volunteer Opportunities:

The USC Chan Website has an amazing database of opportunities that highlight opportunities for experiential learning (Volunteer, Internship, Aide, and Observation) for current and prospective students of occupational science and occupational therapy. Unique to this database are organizations and sites that span across Southern California, the East and West coasts of the United States, and even internationally! Opportunities are organized by physical area, and within each physical area by Zip/postal code. Within each of the site’s descriptions, you will find valuable information about the site, whether it be the particular practice area of occupational therapy, who to contact, volunteer expectations, and further requirements. 

Additionally, you will find that many of these sites are owned or led by USC Chan alumni, which I believe enables an added layer of relatedness and connection when reaching out to them in the first place. Above all, this truly attests to the connections within the Trojan Family and supportive networks that can give you greater confidence in the pursuit of your academic and professional career in the future. Don’t believe me? Take it from me, and read my next blog coming up! This leads me to my next piece of advice:

2. Cold-Emailing:

Cold emailing can feel really intimidating, and sending a message to a healthcare professional or alumni can take great courage and initiative. However, in the long term, this one step can open the doors to so many meaningful connections, invaluable insight, and potential mentorship! What are the most effective ways of reaching out and networking with professionals whom I have never met before? Check out this blog guide by Kimberly Rochin, a 2024-2025 Chan Student Ambassador, who clearly outlines how to build connections with occupational therapy practitioners that can help you score volunteering or observation experiences.

Once you do your proper research and find a potential coordinator or liaison for a potential site, craft a thoughtful email to them. Have a clear subject heading and use the body of your email as an introduction. Include your name, major, and specify your interests in occupational therapy. Think clearly about what ways your personal or academic endeavors empower you to support a particular site that you are interested in or the populations you would like exposure working with. By researching beforehand, you can really drive home how a site’s goals or mission align with your desire to take part in an enriching learning experience. If you are reaching out to multiple sites, it is okay to have a template that you use; however, tailor your emails with site-specific personalization while keeping professionalism at the forefront. This goes for crafting CVs, cover letters, and resumes as well! Before you click send, do not forget to proofread!

Once you (potentially) get a response, be open to opportunities a professional can provide, or, in some cases, if they are unable to help, look into their recommendations for helpful opportunities that can be provided elsewhere. An effective thank-you email can make all the difference in continuing a relationship with a site for the future. Let’s say you don’t hear back? Follow up politely, and a quick nudge doesn’t hurt. If you do not receive a response, just know that rejection is redirection; plenty of other volunteer sites would love to have you.

3. Utilizing LinkedIn and USC’s Trojan Network platform

LinkedIn and USC’s Trojan Network are platforms with the same capabilities of cold emailing, if not more. Using USC’s LinkedIn, you can keyword search for specific titles, such as “Occupational Therapist,” to find alumni to reach out to.

Similarly, USC’s Trojan Network allows you to do the same thing, in addition to advanced search features, such as filtering by location or education.

Additionally, one of the best features that USC’s Trojan Network allows for is to connect with alumni with options for crafting a message with them based on different templates, and you can schedule a meeting with them right on the platform. This can help take the stress off of initial communication with prospective professionals or occupational therapy practitioners.

Also, be sure to be clear with your ask! Are you asking for advice, a volunteer position, or mentorship? Whatever it is, say so very clearly, and do not forget to touch on why you are interested in a position, given your personal experiences or academic goals.

 

 

 

3. Trojan Health Volunteers (THV) - USC Joint Educational Project (JEP)
I am personally involved in Trojan Health Volunteers  an organization under USC’s Joint Educational Project (JEP), which pairs undergraduate students with opportunities to gain valuable volunteering experiences in diverse healthcare contexts. Through THV, I have volunteered at USC Keck Hospital’s medical/surgical orthopedic unit floor. Fun fact: Dr. Rafeedie, fellow USC Chan Director of the Entry-Level Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program and Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy, had worked on this floor, and I met her here! Check out Student Ambassador Cara’s recent blog about Dr. Rafeedie and her role as the president of Occupational Therapy Association of California

What makes this organization unique is that they have agreements with volunteer partner sites such as USC Keck Hospital, the Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, amongst many others. In doing so, you essentially can bypass traditional volunteer applications associated with different clinical sites. As a THV student, you are not only required to volunteer at your site, but also required to complete service-learning requirements. This includes weekly site journals, participating in required discussions on contemporary healthcare topics, attending speaker events with established healthcare professionals, and participating in a journal club focusing on literature within healthcare.

THV comes with its perks, too! In my experience, by being a volunteer at Keck, you are allotted money to spend at the cafeteria every time you come in for a shift. Yay, free food! Also, THV has a Big/Little Program as a resource for all THV students to help one another navigate through different pre-health tracks. THV is definitely a hidden gem, and I cannot encourage participating in this organization enough!

5. USC PreHealth Office

The USC Dornsife Department of Pre-Health Advising is an office that serves students interested in pursuing a career in healthcare by providing services, programming, and support tailored to meet the needs of every student on campus. The USC PreHealth Office is located on campus at HNB 120 (Hedco Neurosciences Building, Suite 120). Their advising support not only empower students to be competitive applicants in their chosen health professional schools, but also connects students with a wealth of knowledge and resources including, but not limited to:

• Weekly newsletter
• Drop ins with Peer Advisors and Mentorship
• Wellness Initiatives: The Den (an in-office, multi-use lounge and study space)
• Pre-Health Job Board
• Dornsife/Keck Shadowing Program
• Pre-Health Leadership, Services, and Learning Involvement Opportunities
• Events, Panels, Discussions posted on their social media
• Learn more here!

6. Reach out to the USC Chan Ambassadors
Feel free to email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). All of us come from diverse perspectives and experiences, so please use us as a resource to find what you are looking for! Check out our student blogs for a wealth of great information and resources that may pique your interest!

If you have read this far, congratulations! I hope these tips were helpful to you or at least can give you some direction on where to start looking to find volunteering and shadowing opportunities. The opportunities are out there and waiting for you; you just have to seek them out!

If you would like to add to USC Chan’s OS/OT Volunteer Opportunities page, please let us know by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), and it may help future students as well!

⋯

Bridging Cultures, Building Futures: Our PP-MA Journey ⟩
October 2, 2025, by Global Initiatives Team

Beginnings and Endings Classes Community Diversity Getting Involved Housing and Transportation International Living in LA School/Life Balance What are OS/OT?

Hi everyone! We’re Angel and Haemin, international students in the 2025-2026 Post-Professional Master’s (PP-MA) program at USC. Coming from the Philippines and South Korea, we are starting this new chapter in Los Angeles! We’re excited to meet new people, explore new places, and grow together as OTs.

Angel’s Journey

My name is Angel, a pure-blooded Filipina and current PP-MA student for 2025–2026. I earned my OT degree in the Philippines and worked as a pediatric occupational therapist for three years—a role that brought me so much joy working with children and their families. In 2023, I got married, and by 2024 I had moved to the U.S. to be with my husband, first living in Chicago before deciding to continue my OT journey here in LA.

When I began exploring further studies, USC stood out immediately. Its Post-Professional MA is one of the few programs in the U.S. that can be completed in just one year, allowing internationally trained OTs like me to deepen our skills, discover new ideas, and connect with people from around the world—all while returning to practice sooner. I also heard wonderful feedback from colleagues who studied here, describing supportive faculty, a vibrant community, and an environment that pushes you to grow. Most of all, I was inspired by USC Chan’s mission to optimize people’s engagement in the ordinary and extraordinary activities of life—a statement that perfectly reflects why I chose OT in the first place.

Life in Los Angeles has been a big adjustment after Chicago and the Philippines—new city, new culture, and no familiar faces. At first, it was daunting, but having my husband’s support made the transition easier. Together, we’re slowly building our rhythm, exploring neighborhoods, and enjoying small routines that make LA feel like home. Lately, we’ve started visiting local cafés for matcha and coffee, and Little Tokyo has quickly become a go-to spot for food and culture.

So far, the PP-MA program has been both exciting and humbling. One of my favorite courses is Foundations in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, where we explore and challenge diverse perspectives on both OS and OT. Because our cohort includes students from many different countries, I have gained a deeper understanding of how culture and society influence a person’s occupations. I have also come to appreciate the importance of language in our work as occupational therapists when connecting with patients.

What I value most about this program is how it encourages us to think critically about OT while equipping us with practical tools to grow as clinicians and leaders. It’s not just about earning a degree—it’s about shaping how we want to contribute to the future of the profession.

Looking ahead, I see this year at USC as a stepping stone. My immediate goal is to gain licensure in the U.S. so I can continue serving people in healthcare. Beyond that, I hope to bridge what I learn here with my roots in the Philippines, finding ways to give back and strengthen OT globally.

Haemin’s Journey

My name is Haemin, and, like Angel, I’m a PP-MA student, class of 2026. I graduated from my home university in South Korea this year and moved to LA to attend USC Chan’s Master’s program. Being a PP-MA OT student at USC has been one of the most exciting chapters in my life. When I arrived in LA to start my journey, I had mixed feelings of both excitement and being overwhelmed. I moved into a new apartment, met new people and classmates, and tried to make a new daily routine. Even though there were a lot of things to take in on my own, I found myself becoming more independent and confident.

Back in 2022, I joined the Summer Occupational Therapy Immersion (SOTI) program as an exchange student. It was such a memorable time to interact with people from all over the world with warm and supportive instructors. I loved exploring various OT fields through guest lectures and field trips, and it made me want to reflect more on the kind of OT I’d like to become. These experiences inspired me to deepen and broaden my own view of occupational therapy and to find the areas of practice that truly align with my interests and passions. Finding that USC provides strong support and resources to help international students achieve these goals gave me the confidence to come here for my master’s program.

Even though I have experience of living in the US before, moving to LA for graduate school was still a new adventure. I set up a new apartment and established daily routines like meal prep, errands, and transportation to balance my work and studies. It took time to adapt to a new environment, but I was able to figure it out thanks to so much support from my family, friends, and professors at USC Chan. As I figure out step by step, I find myself having done so many things, which makes me feel confident and mature 😊

One of the best parts of the PP-MA program is having classmates from all over the world. We share our OT experiences and cultures from our home countries, which makes every discussion richer and exciting. The atmosphere is so friendly and supportive, and the Global Initiatives team always makes me and other international students feel welcomed and connected. Working as a GI team member, I’m supporting students who want to celebrate their meaningful holidays, which is especially valuable in that I can learn about important cultural meanings from my classmates.

As for classes, Foundations of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy has been my favorite! At first, OS felt a bit philosophical and abstract, but it helped me see what occupation truly means and what the OT’s role is from a global perspective. Having discussions with international classmates adds so much fun and depth 😊

Even though we may have grown up in different countries and started OT in different ways, the PP-MA program at USC has brought us together. We’re learning, growing, and cheering each other on as we chase our own unique dreams as future OTs.

Outside the classroom, I love spending time at Hoose Library, which has a Harry Potter vibe. It’s so aesthetic and makes me focus on studying better.

Preparing for what’s next, one of my biggest goals during this program is earning the Sensory Integration (SI) certificate, which will be valuable for working with children. After graduation, I hope to continue working in pediatrics, especially with children and adults with ASD, and to expand into community-based practice. I’m excited to face my future clients with a richer perspective on occupation by everything I learned and grew from my time at USC.

⋯

The Secret to Balance: Nature ⟩
September 24, 2025, by Ciara

School/Life Balance

Between deadlines, projects, internships, and the never-ending temptation to doom-scroll on TikTok, I know first hand how hard it is to maintain balance and to not feel overwhelmed by stress. But let me let you in on a secret that helped me become the most balanced I’ve been: the best way to clear your head isn’t coffee, energy drinks, or back-to-back all-nighters at the library, but rather a relaxing day spent exploring nature.

Coming from out-of-state, I was concerned that I would become stressed with school and not have access to the usual methods I had to calm me down at home (which were usually playing with my two dogs–Star and Sky– and my mischievous cat–Luna). Fortunately, one of my first classes at USC was OT-250, where I quickly realized that occupations–meaningful activities that hold value in one’s life– have a direct correlation with one’s overall well being. So I set on a path to find an occupation that both filled my life with joy and allowed me to get away from the busy life of undergrad and relax; eventually this path led me straight to my new favorite occupation: exploring nature! I realized that while academics fed my mind, nature fed my soul. So here’s how and why you should make room for both!

Visit local beaches:
During my freshman year, my friend group helped support my quest to make balance a priority in my life, and they were all also in love with the idea of doing so through nature. Visiting local beaches with a friend group is a fun way to immerse yourself in nature. Not only does going to beaches with friends make transportation easier, but it’s also nice to have someone there with you to share the experience. So far, I’ve been to Venice Beach, Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica, and Malibu, and Catalina Island! Malibu was my most recent adventure and the first time I went on a hike in California. It was nice to get out of my comfort zone by adding the physical challenge of a hike to the usual relaxation I find within nature. If you are an out-of-state student like myself or do not have a car on campus, I highly recommend using the metro with your U-Pass or renting a car with a group of friends (I recently used ZipCar and it is beginner friendly!).

You can explore nature anywhere:
Exploring nature also allows you to explore the world! I was concerned that I would lose touch with my new love for nature when I went back home this summer, but nature is truly all around us. I found that outdoor walks and gardening allowed me to still engage in nature-based occupations at home. When I went on a cruise this summer, I even convinced my dad to do a nature-based excursion, where we went on a hike and slid down waterfalls in the Dominican Republic. It was the perfect duality of tranquility and thrill. Moral of the story, don’t let your mind limit you on how you can engage with nature, nature is everywhere!

Easy to add into your routine:
Exploring nature is rather easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Not every interaction has to be to along a hiking trail or at a beach; you can get your daily dose of nature by taking an outdoor walk, studying on the lawns on campus, or starting to care for a small plant (tip: start with a succulent if you’re a beginner like me). I also found that you can incorporate nature into other occupations. Before finals season, my friends and I went to The Getty and found ourselves drawn to the Garden Exhibit. It was so calming that we didn’t even notice we spent all our time there! If you’re a music lover, try taking a walk outside while listening to your favorite playlist! Or if you love journaling, try writing your next entry under a tree!

Why Nature?
You may be wondering: why? Well, nature-based occupations have several health benefits:

• Depression and Anxiety: Nature’s calming effect reduces cortisol, which reduces stress and anxiety.
• ADD and ADHD: Spending time in nature improves attention and cognitive function, which can help with focus and clarity.
• Human health: being outdoors and engaging in physical activity also encourages sunlight exposure, which can help regulate circadian rhythms, boost Vitamin D levels, and improve sleep quality.

Exploring nature has allowed me to explore myself: Who is Ciara? What works for me? What doesn’t? How am I genuinely feeling right now? Nature has seemingly become my safe haven and has brought me closer to my community, my friends, and most importantly, myself. The balance involved with nature-based occupations is only the tip of the iceberg of benefits it has in one’s life. If you’re interested in starting your nature journey and don’t know where to start, consider the USC Peace Garden; you can check out the updated hours HERE. So, the next time you find yourself overly stressed, don’t panic: take a break outside, let your mind reset, and come back to your task ready to to take on the day.

 

⋯

Protect the OT Voice: An Interview with Dr. Samia Rafeedie ⟩
September 22, 2025, by Cara

Community Getting Involved

Some people you meet leave a positive, lasting impression. Dr. Samia Rafeedie is one of those people for me. Ask anyone at Chan and they’ll tell you that her superpower is empowering others. Not only is she a beloved professor and the director of our E-OTD program, but she also serves as the President of the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC). Recently, she delivered an inspiring speech to the new E-OTD class about joining OTAC and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Afterward, I had the privilege of speaking with her 1-on-1, where she shared insights about OTAC’s work, why advocacy matters, and how to maximize the profession’s future both as students and practitioners.

Path to Leadership
Dr. Rafeedie has always carried a strong sense of responsibility and values giving back. In 2009, a colleague encouraged her to chair OTAC’s Education Committee. From there, she co-led the OTAC Conference Committee, revised the submission process for conference abstracts, served as the Political Action Committee Chair, and eventually was encouraged to run for President. Now, she oversees board meetings and committees, participates in California Board of Occupational Therapy (CBOT) meetings, and travels, often to Sacramento, to discuss with policymakers about bills affecting the profession. And, she does this all voluntarily.

About OTAC
In describing OTAC, Dr. Rafeedie said, “OTAC is the only entity that protects our profession in California.” Of OTAC’s 2,500 members, 1,500 are students. But OTAC provides opportunities to support both students and practitioners. First, the OTAC Education Alliance invites all 40 OT and OTA programs in California to join as institutional members, providing resources such as advocacy and leadership lectures and opportunities to meet ACOTE standards. “Our goal is to groom them [students] into becoming leaders,” Dr. Rafeedie said. Since Spring 2025, 7 programs have joined (4 have already paid, and 3 more have checks on the way!). Secondly, the OTAC Education Passport helps members earn continuing education for license renewal, providing a free monthly professional development unit (PDU) that can be applied toward their renewal credits. The success of these initiatives, Dr. Rafeedie said, is testament to the fact that her job cannot be done single-handedly, but is a team effort. A Board of Directors, five regional directors, committee chairs, and lobbyists all play an integral role in making OTAC’s work possible.

Advocacy = Career Insurance
Oftentimes, we assume that if we choose a career not directly related to politics, we avoid it. But politics is everywhere. And as Dr. Rafeedie noted, our profession is inherently political by virtue of being part of healthcare, whether we like it or not. Then, when asked why people should advocate for the profession by joining our national and state associations, her answer was straightforward: it’s like career insurance. Without it, Dr. Rafeedie said, decisions will be made for the profession, often not in our favor. Yet fewer than 4% of practitioners are members of OTAC, leaving much of the profession at risk of being undervalued with fewer opportunities to be effective agents of change.

Advocacy in Practice
Amidst her busy schedule, Dr. Rafeedie still clinically practices, drawing confidence from her involvement with OTAC to ensure OT’s worth is recognized and respected among other healthcare professions. “If you don’t get in there, no one will ever hear your perspective - the OT voice. And if we don’t speak, we lose an opportunity,” she said. She advocates for patients as she does for the profession, ensuring OT is inserted where it belongs and pushing back when necessary. Her voice extends to Chan, from teaching to leading the first annual OTAC ResearchSymposium. “I don’t just do my job, I am the job — I do feel like the President when I am advocating for my patients or for my profession.”

Advice for Students & Practitioners
Whether you’re a new student or practitioner, becoming a member and renewing your membership is the first step. But, Dr. Rafeedie encourages being as proactive as possible. Here are her suggestions:

• Attend OTAC conferences, symposiums, or special topic forums
• Join student organizations like OTSC, PTE, or COTAD
• Talk to professors
• Take the lead on group projects
• Present at conferences
• Volunteer on committees
• Stay informed about efforts by the state and national associations
• Encourage colleagues to join OTAC and AOTA

Going forward, Dr. Rafeedie envisions OTAC will “move away from focusing on the trees so that we can get into the forest.” In other words, she hopes to expand partnerships with larger organizations that can help increase subscriptions to OTAC’s programs from OT and OTA schools throughout the state. She also seeks to enrich the Education Passport by offering continuing education courses that practitioners need for license renewal, and collaborate with healthcare entities, including Cedar-Sinai, Rancho Los Amigos and Kaiser.

The last thing Dr. Rafeedie wanted to share was a quote from Maya Angelou: “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” She stressed the importance of advocating for yourself rather than complaining, reminding us that being uninvolved only leaves problems unresolved and, as she put it, gets us “chewed up and spit out.” To put it simply, her advice is to be bold and courageous. “Challenge the status quo, take chances, and don’t be so apathetic about the profession.”

While it may seem counterintuitive to advocate for ourselves in a profession centered on compassion for others, it is equally important. Without having compassion (and advocacy) for ourselves, the less we have to give to our patients.

⋯

Grad School in LA… WITHOUT A CAR?!?! ⟩
September 19, 2025, by Trinity

Fieldwork Living in LA

Hello all!

New fieldwork assignments are about to begin, and with that in mind, I wanted to write about navigating the program without a car.

One thing about me is that I HATE driving, especially in Los Angeles. Beyond the actual driving part, paying for parking, finding an affordable gas station, and dealing with car insurance are extra stressors that I have chosen not to take on for the four years I have lived here.

Being able to make this choice is an incredible privilege! While the public transit in Los Angeles does have a bit of a negative reputation, I know I am lucky that this is even an option for me since a car is essential in most American cities. That being said, it does take flexibility, time management, and willingness to make things work to rely on this option for everything.

Here in Los Angeles, most of the public transit does connect to major attractions. For example, I can take the light rail right to famous museums, restaurants, and Union Station. The light rail as well as the Metro buses are covered by USC’s UPASS program, so students can ride for free. Students also get a discount on Metrolink tickets, which connects all of southern California.

Because I have been here for four years, I have gotten fairly used to public transportation and USC shuttles as my main means of getting around. Since most of my life exists on a college campus, this has not been too bad.

However, the fieldwork component of the occupational therapy program has made relying on public transit a bit more challenging (but not impossible). Fieldwork placements can be anywhere within the vicinity of USC, which can mean up to a 2 hour commute away depending on where you stay. Most people get placements that are near their homes, which makes it a better commute.

Still, most people have cars in the program because of the commute and the potential distance to the fieldwork sites. I have gotten really lucky, and I still have not had to bring a car for fieldwork or any other obligations I have here. This is because of my willingness to put location of site as my number one priority as I make my fieldwork wishlists, as well as the generosity of my friends in the program.

My first fieldwork location was a mental health site in Long Beach, California. I was going to take the train, but my lovely fieldwork partner, Angela, picked me up every week. I will be forever grateful that she helped me get to fieldwork, and I definitely owe her one for life! Carpooling is one option that has saved me from getting a car in the program.

Next, I had my pediatric fieldwork in a children’s mental and behavioral health clinic. This location was within walking distance, and I was able to get there with ease every week. It was a huge blessing. Of course, this is not very common. I am not sure anyone else ever had a site as close as mine was to me.

This semester I am doing my geriatrics fieldwork at an assisted living facility in Sierra Madre. I will be taking a combination of public transportation options to get there. I was paired with one of my good friends, Joseph, in the program for this rotation, and we are going to take public transit together.

I still know several other people in the program who do not have cars, so it is definitely possible! There, of course, are elements of compromise. Sometimes, you won’t get your first choice of a site or it may take a while to get there. For me though, it is worth it financially and emotionally to not have a car. This might change with my next rotation, but I am so grateful this has been an option for me thus far. My biggest piece of advice is to make the most out of every fieldwork experience, even if it was not your first choice or if the commute is long. There is always something to learn at every place. Truly, I have been so incredibly lucky in this program!

TLDR: While it can present challenges, it is absolutely possible not to have a car in the program, especially if you are willing to be flexible and lean on others for support.

 

⋯