Justine Vidro COTA/L : Choosing to be a COTA | instead of an occupational therapist

Sarah Putt OTR/L : perspectives on fieldwork education, private practice & OT entrepreneurship

In this episode, I am joined by Sarah - an occupational therapist with her own private practice in early intervention. She answers my curious questions about her occupational therapy journey and discusses the array of experiences she has garnered over the years. ** whether you are an occupational therapy student or practitioner -- if you have the slightest bit of interest in private practice or OT entrepreneurship - then this episode is for you :) insta: @ot.4.lyfe https://www.instagram.com/ot.4.lyfe/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/ot.4.lyfe/?hl=en] insta: @once_upon_ot https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/ [https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/] TIMESTAMPS: (0:50) Sarah’s Occupational Therapy Story (3:22) Occupational Therapy School Experience  (9:02) Fieldwork 2 Experiences  (13:34) Perspectives as a fieldwork 2 student and as a Fieldwork Educator (22:52) Entering the field as a new graduate occupational therapist (31:23) Present day work as an OT — running a private practice specializing in early intervention (36:49) A “typical” day in the life in your current role (41:38) “OT-preneur” podcast (46:09) Any advice for a student or new grad OT interested in entrepreneurship? (55:51) Present-day Sarah, current headspace, thoughts about your occupational therapy future BONUS LIGHTNING ROUND.

Joshua Victor OTR/L: on test-taking strategies + travel occupational therapy

In this episode, I am joined by Joshua - a current travel occupational therapist who shares his occupational therapy journey. He shares his career pivot from working in medical imaging <> to finding purpose and passion for OT Additionally, Victor and I met during AOTA conference in 2026 when I volunteered as a room monitor for his session -- and he presented about test-taking strategies & managing anxiety to help students prepare & pass the NBCOT exam ~resources from Joshua~ https://stan.store/JoshuaVictorOTCoach?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLaYNBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp9UqUKbsn8STiNJlBgDIm7L69KJX8BKQ4hbFXKQAdFPAmV7Ea4TTyhuDJH3u_aem_LSN6hOowBiUpxPCMI6PCEQ [https://stan.store/JoshuaVictorOTCoach?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLaYNBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp9UqUKbsn8STiNJlBgDIm7L69KJX8BKQ4hbFXKQAdFPAmV7Ea4TTyhuDJH3u_aem_LSN6hOowBiUpxPCMI6PCEQ] TIMESTAMPS: (0:48) What is Joshua’s occupational therapy story? (10:02) Occupational Therapy Program experiences — what was your experience like? (14:45) Fieldwork 2 Experiences — inpatient vs outpatient  (21:09) If a current OT student is listening right now — and is having a challenging or difficult time during their fieldwork 2 clinical experience — what might you share with them? (23:41) Importance of “soft skills” as an occupational therapist (24:40) AOTA Presentation on Managing Test Anxiety | How did you personally prepare for the NBCOT exam? (35:39) Mindset as a new grad occupational therapist (40:05) Joshua’s Travel OT experience  (46:36) Joshua’s DIML as a SNF occupational therapist IG: https://www.instagram.com/joshuavictor_ot/ [https://www.instagram.com/joshuavictor_ot/]

Emily Blackwell OTR/L : fieldwork in Ecuador and travel pediatric occupational therapy

In this episode, I am joined by Emily Blackwell - who shares her occupational therapy journey : from the early discovery of occupational therapy to her exciting travels during fieldwork 2 and her present day adventures as a travel pediatric OT in Hawaii **if you are curious about what it's like to have a fieldwork 2 experience abroad or travel occupational therapy as a new grad OT - then this episode is for you ! :) TIMESTAMPS: (1:05) Emily’s occupational therapy story (5:01) Occupational Therapy Program Experience - why UNE, fav/least favorite classes (13:28) Level 2A Fieldwork  — Community Clinic in Ecuador (18:44) What might you suggest to someone interested in setting up an OT fieldwork 2 abroad (20:10) Level 2B Fieldwork — Acute Care in Cancer Center (23:35) If a current occupational therapy student is having a difficult or challenging time during their fieldwork 2 rotation —  what might be something you share with them? (24:48) How did you prepare for the NBCOT exam?  (27:34) Starting out in Travel Occupational Therapy as a new grad OT - what was that like? (39:03) Current life as an occupational therapist - what does a typical day look like? (45:12) Memorable moments or stories as an occupational therapist <3 (47:56) Future or long-term goals as an OT (50:02) Your WFOT experience  (53:44) ONE FINAL PIECE OF ADVICE — for someone starting their occupational therapy program follow along on insta :) https://www.instagram.com/eblackwell9/ [https://www.instagram.com/eblackwell9/] https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/ [https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/]

Justin Santiago OTR/L : diving deep into fieldwork 2 + life as a new grad occupational therapist

In this episode, I am joined by Justin - who shares his occupational therapy journey from past to present day. He shares his occupational therapy school experience as well as a deep dive into his fieldwork 2 clinical experiences, insights, and lessons learned along the way - leading to his present day work as a school-based occupational therapist TIMESTAMPS: (1:11) What is your occupational therapy story? (7:39) Occupational Therapy Program Experience - favorite classes, not-so-favorite classes, cohort size, etc.  (16:14) Memorable moments for you during OT school (21:30) Justin’s fieldwork 2 - clinical experiences :  * 2A)school based pediatrics  * 2B) outpatient hand therapy (38:15) If a current OT student is listening and having a difficult or challenging time during their fieldwork 2 clinical rotation — what might be something you share with them? (41:52) How did Justin prepare for the NBCOT exam? (48:51) Entering the field + applying for jobs as a new grad OT (54:40) Life as a school-based occupational therapist (1:05:31) Any long-term goals in your OT future? (1:08:42) BONUS LIGHTNING ROUND https://www.instagram.com/jstnsnt/ [https://www.instagram.com/jstnsnt/] https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/ [https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/] Thank you for listening :)

Stephanie Cecilia OTR/L : School-based OT Life + taking time off to solo travel

In this episode, I am joined by Stephanie who is currently practicing school-based OT. In this episode, she shares her occupational therapy journey, lessons learned along the way & future plans as an occupational therapist follow on insta ~ https://www.instagram.com/stephanie.ceciliab/ [https://www.instagram.com/stephanie.ceciliab/] (@stephanie.ceiliab) https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/ [https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/] (@once_upon_ot) TIMESTAMPS: (3:36) Occupational Therapy Program Experience (9:29) Fieldwork 2 Experiences - outpatient pediatrics + outpatient ortho/hands (17:45) Entering the field as a new grad occupational therapist (24:44) Any piece of advice you might share with a new grad OT applying for jobs? (27:29) Diving deeper into School-based OT experience (lifestyle, day-to-day) (34:08) How do you handle difficult/challenging moments as an OT (35:19) Memorable stories as an occupational therapist  (38:33) Recent travels in Asia (non-OT related) — taking time off from OT (46:10) Any long-term goals as an occupational therapy practitioner?