5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Applying to USC Chan OTD Residencies

August 31, 2020
by Daniel

Admissions Life Hacks

This is a time when many of you may be wondering what to do in regards to OTD Residencies. Should I apply to the USC Chan Residencies, should I wait, perhaps it’s best to go into the work field right after graduation, so many things to think about. Regardless of where you find yourself, the deadlines will come and you will have to make a decision. And I understand that feeling of having to make life decisions in a matter of months/weeks, as I was in your shoes exactly a year ago. There is a lot to consider when applying to the OTD, whether it’s finances, time commitment, residency options, etc. Everyone’s experience is very different, and hopefully the following tips can help you or someone you know that is applying to USC Chan OTD Residencies.

1. Start Your Resume Early
If you have not updated your resume in a while, then now it’s the time! I would recommend you start putting together your resume and updating it early in the semester before it gets busier. Get other people to review your resume! This will be very helpful to catch things you may have missed and get a different perspective on the information presented on your resume.

Below are some helpful tips:

Resume Checklist

• No spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors
• 1-2 pages
• Make it organized, concise, and easy to read
• Use standard fonts (i.e., Times New Roman, Arial, Century, Helvetica, or Verdana
• Font size 10, 11, or 12
• Quantify accomplishments, if possible (i.e., funds raised, timespans, percentages, etc.)
• Utilize accomplishment statements (i.e., action verbs, how you did it, results)

Resume Format Guidelines

• Contact Information
• Education
• Experience
• Leadership and Activities
• Professional Associations
• Additional Information
• For additional information and tips, I highly recommend you check the USC Career Center resume resources.

2. Interview Preparation
Research your OTD Residency & site:

• Know the site’s mission and the goals of the residency (if available)
• Read their website
• Read any published materials and/or presentations
• Follow their social media (if available)
• Reach out to faculty/staff associated with a particular OTD Residency
• Talk to current and/or former OTD Residents
• Talk to classmates that had fieldwork at a particular site

Prepare questions for the interviewer:

As you learn more about each residency, write down questions you may have and ask them prior to applying or during the interview. This is a great way to show that you are informed and genuinely interested about the work they are doing! This will also help inform you if this would be a good fit and something you want to pursue!

Practice interview skills:

• Practice with someone who can give you feedback (i.e., friend, classmate, mentor, etc.)
• Practice articulating your thoughts
• Practice via Zoom! Get comfortable doing virtual interviews
• The USC Career Center offers additional resources to prepare for in-person and video interviews! They have an online mock interview platform to record yourself responding to pre-recorded prompts and questions to get an idea of how you appear on camera in an interview setting.

There are many questions they can ask you, so focus on big picture ideas that highlight your level of interest/commitment and your ability to handle the demands of the residency position:

• Why do you want to pursue the OTD?
• Why did you decide to pursue a career in OT? (I know this question may feel repetitive, but it’s always good to highlight your passion for wanting to be an OT).
• Do you have a story or personal connection to the residency that has led you to be so passionate about this type of work.
• What skills have you obtained as a Master’s student that will help you excel as an OTD Resident?
• What do you hope to gain from the OTD? What are your goals?

3. Your OTD Residency Does Not Define Your Career Path
Choosing to pursue the OTD is already a tough decision, and choosing a particular residency can be even more difficult! As you are looking through the different options available, I just want to remind you that choosing to do a residency in a particular field does not define where you will end up working after graduation! Sure, your focus will be within that particular field during residency, and it if it leads to a job than even better! But don’t feel like you are unable to pursue other practice areas, remember that every job provides training! There have been OTD residents that graduated and found jobs in a different practice area than their residency. The OTD offers an opportunity to further develop your clinical expertise and leadership skills, to help drive changes across various health and human services organizations.

4. Utilize Your Resources

• Look back at resume and interview resources from other classes such as OT 523 Communication Skills for Effective Practice
• Utilize available USC Career Center Resources via connectSC!
• Contact the OTD Student Ambassador (me) for any questions regarding the OTD.
• Feel free to reach out via email, text, social media, etc. (Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Phone: (818) 571-8222)
• Lastly, Dr. Amber Bennett and Dr. Sarah Bream are also available to answer any OTD questions

5. Be Excited!
You have made it this far and looking into OTD residencies is stressful but also exciting! There are so many great opportunities you can pursue and places where you can help make an impact. Prepare, be curious, ask questions, and trust yourself! The only thing you can do is try your best and give it your best shot. And no matter what you decide to do or the outcome, every semester you are one step closer to becoming an amazing OT!

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