A day in the life of a Hybrid OT student: Meet Aleena and her journey to Occupational Therapy
Meet Aleena, a Hybrid Occupational Therapy Student. Read on to learn more about Aleena’s day-to-day as a Hybrid student, and why she chose to pursue Occupational Therapy.
1. What has been your favorite memory from your OT journey so far?
One of my favorite OT memories so far has been celebrating the end of the semesters at Blanco with my cohort. We have supported each other through challenges and cheered each other on through every success. I am so grateful that I am doing all of this alongside them.
2. How do you hope to make an impact as an occupational therapist?
I hope to make an impact as an Occupational Therapist by showing up for each person I work with, with joy, compassion, and understanding of where they might be in that current moment I see them. I think the heart of OT is in understanding what matters most to everyone you work with, and to view each person as uniquely themselves, and that is what I want to do and how I hope to make an impact.
3. When did you first discover Occupational Therapy, and what drew you to it?
I first discovered Occupational Therapy through my one-of-a-kind cousin, Noah, who was born with Lissencephaly, a rare brain condition. Growing up around Noah, I learned to find joy in the ways he could, despite his limitations, such as giggling so loud at hearing a plane pass by overhead. I always say that I thought like an OT before I knew what OT was, because of the perspective Noah gave me. When I was figuring out what I wanted to do, Noah’s mom (my aunt) suggested OT. I then fell in love with the profession and its holistic and unique approach.
4. Why did you choose to pursue occupational therapy?
I chose to pursue OT because it aligns perfectly with my heart and how I see others/ the world. I’ve always known I wanted to go into a career centered on helping people, and OT allows me to do that in the most meaningful and holistic way by supporting individuals through their everyday activities and using a wide range of interventions within our scope of practice.
5. What does a typical day look like for you as a Hybrid OT student?
A typical day for me as a Hybrid OT student starts with coffee, a walk with my dog, and checking in on my meetings, assignments, and to-dos for the day. Monday through Wednesday, I watch my two younger cousins (ages 4 and 10 months) and do homework in the evenings when they leave. Thursday through Friday, I spend my time doing more schoolwork and finding time to spend with friends and family. I love cooking, so I typically make dinner with my husband, and we end the night relaxing with a TV show.
6. Why is the Hybrid program the right fit for you?
The hybrid program is the perfect fit for me at this stage in my life. I recently got married and settled in Tucson, Arizona, with my husband, who is a business owner in Tucson, so moving was not in the cards for us. I love that I can access all the material and content I need from Tucson and work at my own pace while occasionally picking up some work shifts. Then, I get to expand and solidify my understanding of the course materials during in-person weekends with hands-on learning and thoughtful class discussions.
7. What advice would you give to future OT students?
This is going to sound cheesy… but I truly think that leading with your heart in the OT profession will give you the most amazing relationships and understanding of your clients and colleagues. Also, don’t forget to prioritize your favorite occupations while in the program; occupational balance matters for us, too.
8. Is there a particular setting or patient population you’re passionate about?
I’ve always had a heart for kids. I grew up with younger siblings who I loved to help take care of, and now I have a bunch of younger cousins who keep that joy alive. Being around kids all the time, I am constantly inspired by how they see the world with wonder and imagination, and how big their hearts are! I definitely see myself working with kids as an OT in the future.
9. What skills have you gained from the program that you are most proud of?
I will say I am very proud of my ability to understand anatomy and know which muscles are working with each movement I make, something I never thought I could do. I also feel like my ability to think on my feet and adapt to situations is a skill I have gained and continue to develop throughout my time in this program.