Student Blog
What are OS/OT?

The Occupations That Make Me Who I Am ⟩
April 23, 2026, by Makayla

Beginnings and Endings School/Life Balance What are OS/OT?

In honor of OT month, I would like to share a piece reflecting on how my engagement and participation have contributed to my daily routines, roles, and identity. As an undergraduate senior set to graduate next month, I am very much in an introspective and contemplative period as my time here at USC is numbered. I want to reflect on my occupations, the meaningful activities that occupy my time, and the collective experiences that have made me who I am today.

Shooting film photography is an occupation that has supported my identity since I was a child, and it involves using a point-and-shoot film camera to capture memorable moments, whether it be with friends, family, nature, or my life as it plays out. The nature of film photography is that it can be an intentional or spontaneous activity where I am able to express my creativity and capture candid shots. Something special about my own film camera is that it was passed down from my dad, who captured film of his own life as well. The element of surprise when I review my developed film is what makes film photography so enjoyable because it is not viewable in the moment, so you never know what to expect or how one moment of my life was captured. Over the years I have acquired countless photographs, from when I was little up until now, that have captured candid memories that can take me back to a brief moment in my life whenever I reflect upon them.

My practice of shooting film photography contributes to my own identity, as I am a very sentimental person. This extends into my collection of photos, shirts, and other trinkets that are reminiscent of enjoyable past experiences. As a result, this trait can manifest in how I interact with people or people I had known previously, acknowledging our prior experiences or history of knowing each other before. I always come back to photos and these memorabilia to reflect on how I lived out those experiences and how different a person I was.

Additionally, creativity is central to my identity, as I capture photographs stemming from my inner imagination to craft the best representation of the important events in my life. A photo never changes, even when the people in it do. With a few clicks of a button, I embrace the side of me that never wants to stop crafting and creating the perfect shots while having tangible items to be remembered by.

In this current day and age, while it is easier to use your phones in capturing photos of much higher quality, I see using film photography as preserving tradition, and I believe that there is power in raw memories when you cannot see them right away. I recognize how associations from the past are able to reinvoke new meanings through a present lens. I realize that longing for past memories is a mark of a life well-lived, and in the face of life’s ups and downs, these memories serve as a reminder that better days are to come with different people, places, and contexts.

Going to the beach is another occupation that has supported my identity, and this entails riding my bike on the strand, walking my dog, sharing a meal with a friend, tanning on the sand with a good book in hand, celebrating birthdays, or swimming in the ocean’s waves. Because I live close to the beach, it has become central to my identity, as it contributes to my sense of leisure through relaxation and rejuvenation, while other times it offers me physical health benefits through exercise and vitamin D. My participation at the beach contributes to my identity as a Southern California native because when I gaze upon the beach, I recognize what a privilege it is to savor these moments and be able to share the beauty of nature with so many close friends, relatives, and fellow beachgoers as well. Participating in different activities at the beach contributes to my identity as a nostalgic and introspective person, where I can prioritize my mental well-being while basking in nature’s solace, as well as recognize how many different versions of myself have been to the beach for different capacities.

Attending concerts is an occupation that has supported my identity, and this activity involves seeing a musical artist’s performance at a venue while I am accompanied by friends or family. The concert experience for me can include dressing up, buying merchandise, and singing along to the musical artist that performs. Seeing a musical artist in person is a surreal experience for me because I am able to reflect on the moments where I am listening to them in my own day-to-day life. Seeing them before my eyes, singing live, is exciting and a full-circle experience to me. My participation in concert-going is reflective of my musical expressions that are central to my identity, as I feel deeply compelled by the emotions and song lyrics that the musical artist sings.

Participating in the collective effervescence of the concert experience contributes to my sense of social closeness, and these experiences, alongside other music fans, contribute to my identity in belonging, community, and deep emotional connection through musical curation. Collective effervescence at a concert entails synchronized singing, dancing, clapping, or cheering that follows concert norms and social etiquette. Concert-going is not only an occupation for community gathering, belonging, and mutual appreciation for artistry and culture, but it also reflects life’s realities and experiences around us.

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Small Wins, Big Impact: Everyday Success Stories in Occupational Therapy ⟩
April 22, 2026, by Angel

Beginnings and Endings Patient Care School/Life Balance What are OS/OT?

Progress does not always look like big milestones. Sometimes, it looks like a child tying her hair for the first time.

During my pediatric OT work in the Philippines, I’ve learned that progress often shows up in the smallest, most meaningful ways.

I once worked with a young girl who wanted to tie her own hair at school. What seemed like a simple routine was actually a complex task that challenged her fine motor skills, executive functioning, motor planning, and visual perceptual abilities. Each attempt required coordination, sequencing, and persistence, but also patience, resilience, and courage to keep trying.

At school, this was not just about her appearance. It was about independence. There were times when she did not have a caregiver or teacher available to help her, and something as routine as tying her hair became a barrier to her participation and confidence.

So we practiced again and again. We broke the task down into manageable steps, used repetition, and built strategies that worked for her. Progress was not immediate, and there were moments of frustration. But then one day, she did it. She tied her hair on her own.

That moment may seem small to others, but it was everything to her. It meant she could take care of herself at school. It meant confidence, autonomy, and a sense of accomplishment she could carry into other parts of her day.

Experiences like this remind me that occupational therapy is not just about teaching skills. It is about creating access to everyday life. In my journey from practicing internationally to continuing my training in the United States, I have come to appreciate small wins in my own life. As a student, it may look like understanding a challenging concept, communicating with classmates despite language barriers, or building confidence in clinical reasoning. As a person, it can be as simple as adapting to a new environment, finding my voice, or continuing to grow through change.

This Occupational Therapy Month, I invite you to look closer at the small wins. Whether it is tying hair, buttoning a shirt, returning to work, or simply getting through a difficult day, these moments build toward something bigger.

Because in occupational therapy, small wins create lasting impact.

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DME, the Real MVPs of Daily Living ⟩
April 20, 2026, by Katelyn

What are OS/OT?

Durable medical equipment, or DME, can have a mixed general perception. On one hand, many individuals view it as equipment that increases the quality of life and even enhances independence. On the other hand, individuals may resist or find themselves unwilling to use durable medical equipment out of self-consciousness, emotional, or even social concerns.

As a result, I thought that it would be both beneficial and fruitful to shed light on the importance of DME and how they are the real MVPs.

Looking at DME through an occupational therapy (OT) lens, the use of DME enhances independence, participation in day-to-day activities, and can address a wide spectrum of needs. These needs can relate to someone recovering from an injury, managing chronic conditions, or simply aging into some physical challenges. The very core of the OT profession focuses on meaningful daily activities such as getting dressed, eating, bathing, and engaging in significant hobbies. However, when everyday tasks or empowering tasks become difficult, it affects more than just independence. It can lead to a loss of identity, purpose, confidence, and overall well-being. Adaptive equipment ultimately can bridge the gap between what a person wants to do and what their body allows them to.

One example would be dressing! Individuals who may be limited by mobility, varying levels of pain, or even decreased fine motor skills can find the act of putting on socks or fastening up clothes frustrating. Adaptive equipment such as sock aids, long-handled shoehorns, or even button hooks can all restore independence quickly. When looking through an OT lens, this equipment isn’t just about increasing convenience or efficiency; it’s about preserving dignity and improving independence.

When puttering around the kitchen, adaptive equipment can transform an exhausting activity into something more manageable and even enjoyable! Rocker knives, jar openers, or built-up handles can reduce the amount of strain or grip that an individual will need. Tools like these can mean the difference between feeling the need to skip a meal and feeling confident in prepping food. As OTs, we not only assess any individual’s physical abilities, but also take into consideration their roles, routines, and environment before recommending tools. This way, the tools we recommend align with their habits and goals.

When using the bathroom, adaptive equipment can play a major role in assistance. Shower chairs, raised toilet seats, or even grab bars are not simply “add-ons” for an individual’s home. In reality, they can be a preventative measure and reduce the risk of falling and can increase confidence in the bathroom.

Some individuals may resist the change or transition towards DME and adaptive equipment, associating them with being weak and frail. In reality, DME simply supports enabling independence by creating a safer environment. What makes OTs especially unique is our individualized approach to selecting adaptive equipment for each individual. Rather than handing out DME willy-nilly, OTs carefully consider the wants and needs of each individual. We carefully ensure proper fit, educate intentionally, and help with seamless integration of DME into daily routines. DME that is chosen incorrectly or DME being used improperly can cause frustration and even pose safety risks.

Something that is especially worth noting as I rave about DME’s versatility and the expansive types there are: Adaptive equipment isn’t always high-tech or expensive! Sometimes the most impactful are the simplest, like simply putting a non-slip sticker under a slippery rug. As OTs, we are trained to think creatively to find low-cost solutions to make significant differences.

So ultimately, adaptive equipment and DME aren’t about the limitation. It’s about possibility. We want individuals to continue engaging in activities they find the most meaningful on their own terms. That’s the goal: to help people function, but also to help them live safely, fully, and with autonomy.

Ta-ta for now!

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OT, ST, and PT: What’s the Difference? ⟩
April 13, 2026, by Ciara

Videos What are OS/OT?

What is Occupational Therapy? This is a question commonly thrown my way when I tell people my major. And, believe me, I have no problem answering this question as Occupational Therapy is a rather niche profession that is commonly confused with physical therapy and speech therapy. So, I thought it would be nice to thoroughly tackle this question by explaining how occupational therapy differs from speech therapy and physical therapy.

Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy is the holistic based health profession involving Occupational Therapist helping individuals gain independence in occupation regardless of an injury, disability, illness, or obstacle in their life. We refer to everyday activities that add value to one’s life as occupations; they are a key entity in OT’s goal to promote well-being and independence in the categories of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. 

What is involved?
Due to Occupational Therapy’s holistic nature and the various populations worked with, a day-in-the-life of an OT is extremely diverse. Some of the tasks OTs are involved in include redesigning the environment to be more inclusive to different conditions, treating children with autism or sensory processing disorders with self-care and social occupations, or helping adults to use adaptive equipment like dressing aids and eating aids.

A great source is to learn more about OTs work is USC Chan’s “Occupational Therapy in Action” page to see how OT’s are involved in various populations (pediatrics, adults, geriatrics, and mental health), while highlighting the Lifestyle Redesign® and Sensory Integration interventions provided at USC Chan:

Who do they treat?
Similar to ST and PT, OTs treat various populations; the graduate program at USC Chan allows students to gain experience with the pediatric, adult, geriatric, and mental health populations through practice immersions. For pediatric populations, it is quite common to find Physical Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Occupational Therapists working in the same facility. This past summer, I interned at a clinic where there were multiple PTs, SLPs, and OTs within the same facility to help children in a united manner.

What does the pathway look like?
Traditionally, the pathway includes a Bachelor’s degree (~4 years) and an Occupational Therapy Doctorate (~3 years). However, USC Chan offers a 6-year accelerated program where students can get both their BS and OTD degrees in 6 years, shaving off a year of schooling.

❗Personally, “Day in the lives” videos (on TikTok or YouTube) helps me observe and better comprehend what it’s like to follow suit in this career. Plus, finding creators who specialize in the career you’re pursuing can be a nice way to see what’s in store, what obstacles one may face, or any advice from their personal experiences.❗

If you’re interested in the BS-OTD program, watch USC Chan Undergraduate Ambassador Avery’s Day in the Life video:

Or if you’re interested in the OTD program, watch USC Chan Graduate Ambassador Cara’s Day in the Life video as a 1st year E-OTD student:

Speech Therapy
Speech therapy describes the treatment where a speech language pathologist helps one improve their speaking skills, communication skills, and use and understand other language skills. In fact, speech therapy may also be recommended for those who have a swallowing difficulty or hearing impairment that then impacts their speech.

What is involved?
Speech therapy activities can vary on the population, but usually speech therapy activities include word games, reading certain words out loud, helping using communication devices or sign language, exercises for using a hearing aid, and tongue and mouth exercises (this was an exercise I constantly did when I was younger!). The main areas of focus involve:

• Fluency
• Resonance
• Articulation
• Pronunciation
• Verbal and Written Language
• Swallowing

Who do they treat?
Personally, I took speech therapy for a few years in a school based setting in elementary school to help with the articulation of certain word sounds. However, speech language pathologists can treat both pediatrics and adults.

What does the school pathway look like?
Bachelor’s Degree (~4 years) → [Accredited] Master’s program (2-3 years)
Learn more about the Speech Language Pathology Master’s Program at USC:

Physical Therapy
The second question I get when I tell people my major is Occupational Therapy is “Is that like Physical Therapy?” Well, Physical Therapy involves treatment from a Physical therapist to help improve strength, mobility, and flexibility as well as relieve pain. It is common to see physical therapy incorporated into one’s life after surgeries or injuries, but a surgery or injury is not necessarily needed for physical therapy to be in one’s life.

What is involved?
Physical Therapy activities include exercises to improve strength, coordination, mobility, and flexibility, as well as more techniques and treatments such as massages and hydrotherapy. Treatment plans are various — some people may need PT for only a few weeks while others may need it for more chronic conditions. Some of the many conditions physical therapist treat include:

• Hip Injuries and pain: (e.g., post hip-replacement surgery)
• Sports injuries (e.g., ACL tears)
• Cerebral Palsy
• Back pain
• Muscular Dystrophy

Who do they treat?
Similarly, Physical Therapists work with various populations ranging from pediatrics to the older adult population.

What does the pathway look like?
Bachelor’s Degree (~4 years) + Doctor of Physical Therapy DPT (3 years)
Learn more about USC’s Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy:

All these professions are essential and hold special places in people’s lives. What set apart Occupational Therapy from Speech Therapy and Physical Therapy for me was its holistic nature. The saying “There is more to a person than meets the eye” stuck with me as I gravitated more and more towards OT, and I’m so excited to continue my journey on the BS-OTD track at USC Chan.

The takeaway from this is not to say how one profession is better than the other, but rather to show how imperative each profession is in our society and how they are not opposing professions but rather supporting professions that work together to help a person feel their best!

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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.

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