Your next step in AOTA: Three perspectives on joining the Special Interest Sections
Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at AOTA? Or how you can start building your professional network before you even graduate? AOTA's Special Interest Sections (SISs) offer student internship opportunities that give you a front-row seat to the profession while you're still in school.
With nine different SIS options, from Children & Youth to Mental Health to Work & Industry, there's an area that aligns with your interests and career goals. Three student interns from the Rehabilitation & Disability SIS (RDSIS) were asked about what their experience is really like and why they think more occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students should apply for these valuable positions. Here's what Breanna, Ariella, and Mikayla had to say about their journeys as SIS interns.
Breanna Evans has a desire to be a great SIS intern and an even better future health care professional in the world of OT. This internship opportunity was something that has been a great experience. This has allowed her to learn from other perspectives and get information first hand from practitioners who are working in a variety of settings. Her goal is to continue to learn and grow with this experience where she will tackle new tasks like creating and collaborating with occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) to create research spotlight articles, create profiles for RDSIS members, and others all from a virtual space. Utilizing her skills will benefit her ability to reach other OTPs on a team to accomplish long- and short-term goals. Also, working with this group has provided a unique opportunity at a national level that can be part of the conversation when looking for future opportunities.
Ariella Levy has a similar, but different, perspective on her gains as an RDSIS intern, including:
- Gaining a network of OT professionals in your professional areas of interest. By joining RDSIS, she had the opportunity to interact with and learn from experts within the rehab and disability community. All the committee members are overwhelmingly kind and supportive, and she knows that she can reach out to any of them with questions about their areas of interest and experiences.
- Learning more about the behind the scenes of AOTA. The monthly RDSIS meetings have exposed her to the logistics and decision-making process of AOTA SISs. From discussing colorways for the website to what communities of practices should be created or combined, she has learned about all the details considered to make an SIS successful.
- Growing your knowledge of OT. As an intern, she completed a research summary and is going to interview an OT for Specialty Spotlights. Through these opportunities, she has learned more about OT’s role in diabetes care and collaboration with service dogs, and she is excited to explore more niches within OT as an RDSIS intern!
Mikayla Dunn desired to become an SIS intern to grow professionally as both a student and future occupational therapist. Networking with current OTPs and assisting with research needs have provided an invaluable experience. This opportunity allowed her to focus on advancing the profession, even as a student, and assisting current practitioners through evidence-based research, infographics, and article publications. This has allowed her to broaden her understanding and appreciation of OT in ways she was previously unaware of. Mikayla is looking forward to continuing serving as a student intern for RDSIS and highly recommends the SIS internship program for any interested students!
Whether you're passionate about rehabilitation and disability, or topics of the other SISs, including pediatrics, mental health, and productive aging, there's a SIS that matches your interests. As Breanna, Ariella, and Mikayla's experiences show, serving as an SIS intern offers far more than an extra line on your résumé. You'll network with practitioners in your areas of interest, learn about the inner workings of AOTA, gain hands-on experience with research and professional writing, and grow your understanding of OT in ways you never expected.
The best part? You don't have to wait until you're licensed to start making an impact. Internship applications are open from early March through May 15th, so now is the time to explore which of AOTA's SISs aligns with your goals. Check out the different SIS options and consider taking this next step in your professional journey. Your future professional self will thank you.
Breanna Evans is a second-year graduate student in the entry-level doctorate program for OT at the University of Missouri. She is passionate about evidence-based practice and making a positive change in occupational therapy with an interest in developing an ergonomics-based practice in the future.
Ariella Levy is a third-year OTD student from the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine’s Program in OT. She is passionate about providing OT services to un- and underinsured individuals, increasing awareness about OT’s scope of practice, and interprofessional collaboration. Her goal is to work with medically and socially complex patients in the inpatient rehabilitation setting while also finding opportunities to work in community settings.
Mikayla Dunn is a third-year OTD student at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is passionate about all of the opportunities OT offers and enjoys working in inpatient rehabilitation with both pediatric and adult populations. In addition to her clinical practice, Mikayla hopes to develop fitness-based programs to support adults and children post-discharge from inpatient stays, as well as wellness in community-based settings and group programs.