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

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?

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

In this episode, I am joined by Justine - a certified occupational therapy assistant . We dive deep into Justine's clinical rotations, balancing full-time & per diem jobs, memorable stories as a COTA and much much more! ~insta~ https://www.instagram.com/just_tee_cota/ [https://www.instagram.com/just_tee_cota/] https://www.instagram.com/just_tee_cota/ [https://www.instagram.com/just_tee_cota/] https://www.instagram.com/just_tee_cota/ [https://www.instagram.com/just_tee_cota/] Timestamps:  (3:38) What was your occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program like?  (7:36) Exploring OTA Fieldwork experiences : SNF & School Settings (15:59) What is something you might share with an OT/OTA student currently having a difficult time during their fieldwork 2 clinical rotations? (17:16) Initial mindset as a new grad COTA — the job search? (21:25) Managing & balancing a full-time position with a per diem position (27:12) Tips for new grads applying for their 1st occupational therapy job (29:25) Current Life as Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant “COTA” : school-based OTA + business non-traditional OT focused on Handwriting (40:33)  Diving deeper into OT/OTA dynamic (45:27) What are some challenging aspects of your current role? (47:29) Memorable stories as a COTA (49:47) WHY COTA & not occupational therapist? (53:47) Long-term goals as a COTA