30 Days of Occupation

April 30, 2026
by Trinity

What are OS/OT?

Hey everyone! We are in the process of switching ambassador teams. While some of us will remain the same, others are going on to the next big adventure. As a goodbye, some of us wanted to share are favorite occupations that we participated in for the month of April. Access to occupation (or meaningful activity) is a right, and here are some of the ways we exercise that right!

Trinity Mecham

My most favorite occupation is going to Disneyland. After attending the AOTA conference in Anaheim, I got to go to Disneyland with a few friends and professors. Disneyland has become my happy place!

As a student, attending classes and having brief opportunities for clinical introduction are important occupations. This month, a group I am in for the Motor Control elective got to tour Rancho Los Amigos Rehab.

Another occupation I love is spending time outside. Even just taking a brief walk is an occupation I love but definitely take for granted. This month I spotted an adorable snail while on my walk!

Makayla Lui
In honor of OT Month, I will be sharing 3 occupations that I tried for the first time!

Attending AOTA Inspire and Trojan Family Reception
The next occupation that I tried for the first time was attending the AOTA Inspire 2026 Annual Conference & Expo. I volunteered in the morning with the People Power booth and in the afternoon, I was able to explore the Expo Hall with some friends. Here, I got the opportunity to connect with OT researchers, practitioners, and educators from across the nation. I got to participate in some cool experiences, such as doing a paraffin bath, designing my own pen charms, and even experiencing some OT technologies and interventions. Afterwards, I grabbed lunch and attended some sessions with friends before heading to Downtown Disney. Afterwards, I attended the Trojan Family Reception, where I was able to help present an OT button to University President Beong-Soo Kim, along with my fellow student ambassadors. I got to watch USC Chan present awards and speeches over dinner, and it was so nice to see my fellow professors and classmates for an amazing night!

Presenting my Research Poster at the 27th Annual Undergraduate Symposium for Scholarly and Creative Work
An occupation that I tried for the first time was presenting my research poster, “Locomotor Exploratory Behaviors in Pre-Walking Infants Born Full-Term,” at the 27th Annual Undergraduate Symposium for Scholarly and Creative Work presented by the USC Office of Academic Programs. Since last summer, I have participated in the USC Undergraduate Research Associates Program under the USC Development of Infant Motor Performance Lab (DIMPL), where I have been aided in the research project studying the immediate impact of dynamic weight support on the locomotor exploratory behaviors of pre-walking infants born full-term and preterm. I compiled my work on video coding and assisted in data collection to create my first research poster to present the lab’s findings. While at the symposium, I was very nervous and anxious at first, especially since this was my first time here, and I knew that I would have to present to multiple judges. However, I found that when I got there, I was amazed to be around so many remarkable people advancing research at USC and the world at large. I had the privilege to experience poster presentations, art exhibitions, and electronic media spanning across arts, humanities, social sciences, life sciences, physical sciences, math, and engineering. I had many judges come visit and ask questions, and even one judge told me I had the most organized graphs of my entire section, so that was really reassuring to know.

LA Kings Hockey Game

Another occupation that I tried for the first time this month is attending a hockey game! One of the greatest perks of being a USC student is all of the fun and enriching experiences within the greater Los Angeles area.

When I heard that the Late Nite ‘SC program was offering free tickets to an LA Kings game, I had to sign up because even as a Los Angeles native, I had never gone to a hockey game before, and having the game so close by at the Crypto.com Arena was an added perk. This night was especially special because the LA Kings gave us the chance to go on the ice after the game. Additionally, it was Anže Kopitar’s Legacy Night, celebrating a legendary hockey player who has played for the Kings for 20 years and who will retire at the end of the 2025–26 season, so we were given free sunglasses at the door that emulate his trademark visor look from his helmet.

I actually attended this event alone; however, I quickly made friends with someone who sat with me on the free, chartered bus, and we instantly clicked. When we got there, we quickly grabbed some dinner, and we both bought Hello Kitty drink cups as souvenirs to remember the game.

We watched the game go into overtime; however, the LA Kings sadly lost in a 7-round penalty shootout in the end. After, we got a free Anže Kopitar poster and headed on the ice for some quick pictures and looking up at the arena, I got to take it all in.

Avery Lord

Attended the annual southern California Best Buddies Friendship Walk
This month I attended the annual southern California Best Buddies friendship walk with USC Best Buddies club! We took our club to Long beach where we met with other best buddies chapters across southern california to walk to support friendship and inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, all while raising money for Best Buddies of California. We enjoyed a good breakfast, decorated sashes and T-shirts, walked all the way around shoreline aquatic park, and had a celebratory dance party at the end! I loved getting to deepen my connections with both my buddies and fellow club members outside of our usual meetings, as well as make connections with people from other schools.

Cooking new meals at home

As I get closer to graduating college I am attempting to master a necessary adult occupation: cooking! I have been aiming to try new recipes this month instead of just relying on dining halls and takeout. The better I get, the more I realize how much fun cooking can be, especially when I turn it into a social activity and cook with people I love. This month alone I have made steak salad, homemade prosciutto and arugula pizza, beef and sweet potato bowls, and chicken tacos to name a few. I am looking forward to trying even more new recipes and techniques

New fitness habits: Yoga
Recently I have been engaging in a new favorite occupation, hot yoga sculpt classes! This has quickly become a meaningful part of my routine because it challenges me both physically and mentally. The combination of strength, cardio, and mindfulness helps me manage stress while also building endurance and flexibility. As a college student, it gives me a structured time to disconnect from academics and focus intentionally on my well-being. I’ve also found that pushing myself in this environment has helped me build confidence and stay consistent with my fitness goals. This occupation has become an important outlet for both self-care and personal growth - plus I love going to classes with friends!

Cara Ishisaka
Ambassador Bonding at the Getty
A few of the ambassadors and I attended Getty’s annual “College Night,” where the museum is reserved just for college students across LA. We enjoyed free food and interactive activities like origami, mindful coloring, and screen printing our own tote bags through screen printing. We also explored the exhibits through a self-guided scent tour using scent strips that represented different historical eras, ranging from earthy and floral to musky and sweet like ice cream. We had fun imitating some of the artwork as well. While I wish the entire team could have joined, I appreciated the time I spent with my fellow ambassadors. We don’t often see each other outside of work due to our different schedules, so it was nice to have the chance to get to know each other better and strengthen our bond.

Attending My First AOTA Conference
I also had the opportunity to attend the AOTA Inspire 2026 Annual Conference, where I volunteered all three days as a room monitor for educational sessions on topics such as wound care, heart failure, patient-centered research, and population health. After, I explored the expo hall, where I picked up several tote bags, a back scratcher, and created my own fidget pen. I also heard from practitioners, companies, and interprofessional teams about the latest technologies and resources to support practice. To celebrate the end of the conference, I attended the Trojan Family Reception, where the ambassadors and I met University President Beong-Soo Kim and gave him an “I love OT” button. He was so kind, and I appreciated his support and recognition of the profession. I especially enjoyed celebrating the USC Chan Award recipients, including Dr. Florence Clark, whose research I’ve read and discussed in Theoretical Foundations, and Michael Sugar, one of my favorite guest speakers from Crafts. It was also great to reconnect with former ambassadors and professors. Overall, my first conference was one to remember, and I look forward to hopefully attending next year as an attendee.

Ciara Greenaway
Attending USC Yard Show
This week, I attended USC’s Yard Show with a few of my friends for the first time. The Yard show is a cultural celebration and tradition that highlights performances from the “Divine Night” organizations. Sitting on the lawn in front of Doheny, we were able to watch this spectacular celebration that blended a series of steps, strolls, and dance moves to share the unique identities, histories, and achievements of their respective historically Black sororities and fraternities. Through the night we cheered on friends we spotted and were amazed with the show. While this was my first time watching the Yard show, it definitely won’t be my last!

Teaching Yoga and Yoga Therapy
Since the start of my college journey, I’ve been looking for some physical activity that I feel most connected to. With doing Allstar and Competitive Cheerleading all throughout high school, sports became interlinked with my day-to-day functioning; however, going into college, I knew my cheerleading chapter was closed, so I’ve been on a search for something new. Last spring semester I took Pilates (and loved!) and this spring semester I decided to try Yoga and Yoga Therapy. I wanted to learn how Yoga can be incorporated into my life as an activity that supports my health and well being while also learning more about its therapeutic practices. In my classes, we were tasked with instructing the class through a pose in Yoga and through a catered therapeutic routine in Yoga Therapy. I was a little nervous to do this because I’ve never really taught in a more formal sphere before, but it turned out to be so much fun!  I taught Trikonasana or Triangle pose in Yoga and taught a Yoga routine for those tackling back pain with my fellow group members. Yoga has become a place where I get to relax and shake off the stress from other classes and matter’s, and teaching yoga was also seemingly relaxing. Trying new physical activities has been such a rewarding experience and I’m to incorporate Yoga into my routine and who know maybe even teach Yoga or Yoga Therapy in the future!

Angel Illaya

Taking Care of My 3-Year-Old Nephew
One of the most meaningful occupations in my recent years has been taking care of my 3-year-old nephew, Calvin. When I first moved to the U.S., I spent a lot of time with him, and those moments quickly became very special to me. During that transition, I was not yet working as an occupational therapist, which made me feel like I had lost an important part of my professional identity. Spending time with Calvin, whether we were playing, laughing, or simply going through his daily routines, gave me a sense of purpose and fulfillment during that time. Some of my favorite moments were listening to his imaginative stories and watching him engage in pretend play, where his creativity would really come out. His curiosity and energy made even the simplest moments feel meaningful. I loved watching him explore the world, use his imagination, and express himself so freely. At the same time, this experience reminded me of the importance of patience and being fully present. Looking back, caring for him not only strengthened our bond but also helped me reconnect with my passion for working with children and reminded me why I chose this profession in the first place.

Writing Blogs as a Student Ambassador
Another meaningful occupation I participated in was writing blogs for my role as a student ambassador. Through this experience, I was able to reflect on my journey, share insights about my program, and provide guidance to prospective students who may be considering a similar path. Writing became more than just a responsibility, as it gave me a space to slow down and process my experiences in a more intentional way. It allowed me to look back on moments of challenge, growth, and adjustment, and put them into words that felt honest and meaningful. At the same time, writing helped me express myself creatively while continuing to develop my communication skills in a more professional context. I began to appreciate how powerful storytelling can be, especially in connecting with others and making experiences feel more relatable. This occupation was meaningful because it gave me a platform to advocate for my field and represent my program, while also encouraging deeper self-reflection on how far I have come and who I am becoming throughout this journey.

Attending the AOTA Inspire Conference for the First Time
Attending the AOTA Inspire Conference for the first time was an experience I will always remember. I was able to attend through the Chan Leadership Award, which allowed me to go for free, something I am truly grateful for as it made this experience possible for me as a student. As an international student, this was especially meaningful because it was my first time attending a large professional conference in the United States. Coming from the Philippines, where there are fewer occupational therapists, seeing how many passionate occupational therapists are part of this profession and how strong the community is made the experience feel incredibly meaningful. Walking into the conference, I felt both excited and inspired. As someone who is still new and currently a student, I found myself simply taking everything in, listening, learning, and absorbing as much as I could, holding onto the ideas and experiences that resonated with me. I enjoyed learning new ideas and perspectives in a space where everyone shared the same goal of helping others. This experience made me feel more connected to the profession and more confident in my path as an international OT student.

The Joy of Pottery Painting
Last month, one of my close friends decided to celebrate her birthday by trying a new occupation: pottery painting. As occupational therapy students, we often talk about the importance of engaging in meaningful and enjoyable activities, so I loved the idea of celebrating through a creative experience rather than the usual dinner outing.A few years ago, before starting OT school, I took a beginner pottery class and really enjoyed it. Since then, I had not revisited pottery or ceramic painting, so having the opportunity to return to it felt both exciting and nostalgic. Our friend group visited Color Me Mine, a paint-your-own pottery studio where you can choose different ceramic pieces and customize them with your own designs and colors.

What I appreciated most about this experience was how calming and immersive it felt. Pottery painting encouraged me to slow down, focus on the present moment, and engage creatively without worrying about productivity or perfection. It was also a reminder that occupations do not always have to be complex to be meaningful. Sometimes, simply sitting with friends, painting, laughing, and expressing creativity can have a huge impact on emotional well-being and social connection. From an OT perspective, pottery painting also incorporates many skills we often discuss in class, including fine motor coordination, visual-motor integration, sustained attention, creativity, and sensory engagement. Beyond the physical components, it also fostered social participation and stress relief, which are equally important aspects of health and wellness. Check out some of our artwork below!

 

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