My Journey as a New Grad OT on TikTok

At the end of my second Level II Fieldwork, I felt inspired to create a relatable, supportive occupational therapy (OT) TikTok account with the intent of sharing my own raw, personal experience as a soon-to-be, then new OT graduate. Graduating from OT school was a mix of relief, pride, and overwhelming uncertainty. As a new grad stepping into a profession I deeply believe in, and one that still needs more visibility and advocacy, I felt inspired to document my journey and personal growth along the way. That’s when I turned to TikTok.

What started as a casual idea, just me sharing moments from my day, or relatable funny content, or hopeful wishes for my future in OT, quickly turned into a little OT TikTok community. Although currently I have just over 2,200 followers, I started this in March of 2025 with 0 followers, and it’s so great to see how far it’s come in just under 5 months! I didn't expect my videos to resonate with such a wide audience—new grads, students, parents, and even people outside the OT world—but they did. So often, people think of occupational therapy as just handwriting help or recovery after an injury, but it’s so much more! I wanted to show its full scope with a personal touch. TikTok allowed me to break down complex concepts into digestible, relatable clips, whether I was demonstrating how to measure a client for a wheelchair or just feeling proud of all the accomplishments it takes to get through OT school, graduate, and pass the NBCOT® exam. That’s what connected me with people in the OT TikTok community. It provided me with opportunities such as joining the TrueLearn influencer program helping other students obtain access to this platform at a discounted rate and has opened the door to many other outlets for me. The goal was not to show off, but to share what I was learning and the process it took to get me here. In the end, that honesty became my strength.

Four key tips helped me grow and can be a starting point for your OT social media account:

1. Embrace the Journey, Not Perfection. You don’t need to be an expert. I am still figuring out how to make videos, edit them, and find relatable content. People connect with your journey, not your perfection. Therefore, don’t be afraid to post about your journey. At the end of the day it is your journey, no one else’s. It may help someone else who is in your exact shoes.
2. Find your Niche, But Keep It Fun. Stick with a niche but also don’t be afraid to post what you want. In other words, focus on what you love most about OT and let your personality shine. For me, I love traveling and I love being able to integrate traveling with OT content. Therefore, I post how traveling can be a feasible option with my current position entering the OT world.
3. Build and Nurture Your Community. OT TikTok is a community. Be someone who other people feel comfortable reaching out to, respond to comments, collaborate with others, and treat it like a mentorship. Spread kindness when you can. Being able to give back knowledge to incoming OT students is rewarding.
4. Stay Authentic, Always. At first I was embarrassed posting on TikTok as I feel too old for it, but at the end of the day you miss 100% of the opportunities you don’t take. Additionally, if you stick to your own personal values and personality, it makes the whole content process so much easier. Less time editing, less time trying to “please the audience,” and more time being able to make more content!

When posting, focus on your own journey and do not include your clients, coworkers, etc. There are strict privacy laws and ethics principles that you don’t want to inadvertently violate. With a growing following and a supportive community, I’ve found a way to advocate for the profession and remind myself why I chose OT in the first place. Social media, once just a creative outlet, has become a tool for connection, empowerment, and growth!

Darian Licata is a recent occupational therapy graduate of the MSOT program at New York Institute Technology. She has career interests in both adult and pediatrics. Darian enjoys visiting National Parks, hiking, travel, and spending time with friends and family.