Expanded Horizons, Open Ambitions

February 27, 2025
by Mason

Beginnings and Endings Fieldwork

In occupational therapy school, students have the opportunity to take part in a plethora of fieldwork experiences, and students engage in both level 1 and level 2 fieldwork. Uniquely here at USC Chan, level 1 fieldwork is integrated within the 4 practice immersions in which students learn: Adult Physical Rehabilitation, Mental Health, Pediatrics, and Geriatrics. In level 1 experiences, students have the opportunity to shadow clinicians and interprofessional teams out in their practice settings and gain valuable experience in interacting with the select patient population in which their current immersion is focusing. Level 2 fieldwork, on the other hand, takes students a step further. Rather than simply observing clinicians in practice, students begin the transition of becoming entry-level practitioners through hands-on clinical application and mentorship. By the end of a student’s level 2 fieldwork, they will have the skills and experience to enter the vast clinical landscape as a new practitioner.

This summer, I will take on the challenge of my first level 2 fieldwork experience. I was fortunate enough to be placed at an outpatient pediatric clinic where I will work full time 5 days a week for the entirety of the semester to gain the skills of an occupational therapy practitioner. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, but I am also beyond excited to begin this new chapter in my education. One unique component of my story is that I will be completing both of my level 2 fieldwork experiences Out-of-Area (OOA).

But what exactly is Out-of-Area (OOA) fieldwork? To answer that question, let me first give you a little background on how our standard system works. Students within the USC Chan’s occupational therapy program are all guaranteed to be placed in a fieldwork setting for both of their level 2 experiences. However, not all fieldwork sites are the same, and not all students take the standard path towards finding their fieldwork placements. Each year, USC Chan’s designated fieldwork coordinators work hard to curate a comprehensive fieldwork “wishlist” of clinical sites in Los Angeles and the surrounding area. Students have the opportunity to rank their preferences through an online portal and are eventually matched with a fieldwork site, where they then may have to interview to secure a placement.

However, if you are an avid out-of-state student like me, you may plan to return after you get your degree and also may want to conduct fieldwork a little closer to home or the area where you plan to lay your roots. That is exactly where Out-of-Area (OOA) fieldwork comes into play. In OOA fieldwork, students work closely with the fieldwork coordinators to locate, research, and connect with clinical sites in different states and even potentially internationally in different countries. Students have complete freedom to engage in fieldwork outside of LA, and when the time comes, USC Chan specifically offers virtual class options so that students may finish the entire last year of their degree remotely. OOA fieldwork does come with its own unique challenges. Rather than have a curated list of fieldwork sites already ready to accept a student, in OOA, students take on the burden themselves of researching & locating potential clinical sites where they would like to study. Moreover, even after a site is located and contacted, there is no guarantee that the site is interested or has the availability to take on a student.

Engaging in the search to find OOA opportunities for my level 2 fieldwork has certainly been time-consuming and stressful; however, for me, the benefits of these opportunities outweigh the additional work. What I love most about the OOA process is that it allows students like me to find fieldwork in the area they plan to practice after graduation. Fieldwork is not only a fantastic learning opportunity but also a strategic opportunity for networking and future employment. Many occupational therapy students get offered their first job post-grad from one of their fieldwork sites. Therefore, by conducting fieldwork where you call home, you are keeping yourself open to those possibilities and setting yourself up for a successful career post-graduation. Additionally, if you know me, you know I like saving money. Almost every decision I have made so far academically, professionally, and personally has been to set myself up for a successful financial future that aligns with my ambitions. The OOA process will enable me to move back home with my family for my entire last year and half of the graduate program. Of course, I am excited to be back with them, but in addition, this will save me all of the money I would have to spend on rent, and hopefully a little on food too. In graduate school, every penny counts, so when you are looking at your opportunities across any program, I would also recommend creating a plan for your ambitions and then working hard to make them a reality. You will certainly not regret it!

That’s all for now, and Fight On!

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