Attending Conference: Students’ Perspective

Attending Conference: Students’ Perspective

Hello readers! My name is Ciara Brabant and, I am a 1st year OTD student at Midwestern University. I am taking Samantha Tupas position as ILOTA blog coordinator for In the Now. This month I am posting the 1st of a 2 part article series about students’ perspectives on attending conference. I had the opportunity to speak with two students, Talya Flores and Samantha Dooley, from Midwestern University OTD program, about their recent experience attending the ILOTA conference.

Talya Flores attends the OTD program at Midwestern University as a 1st-year student.

Ciara Brabant: What did you expect your experience to be before attending the conference?

Talya Flores: It was my first time attending. I didn't know what to expect. All I know is that I was nervous and excited to attend.

Ciara Brabant: What was your experience at the conference?

Talya Flores: My experience at the conference was wonderful! The structure of the conference was well thought-out and everything appeared to have run smoothly. I learned about many assistive devices I didn't know existed and intervention strategies. I also realized how small the OT community is. I saw many professors and peers from undergraduate.

Ciara Brabant: What were the positive and negative aspects of attending breakout sessions?

Talya Flores: A negative part of attending breakout sessions is missing out on the other sessions simultaneously. They were all interesting topics and I believe they were all beneficial to learn from.

Ciara Brabant: How did you approach networking with peers, professional OTs, and organizations?

Talya Flores: Everyone was friendly and easy to approach. I met a student from Chicago State, we chatted about the similarities and differences between our OT programs. During lunch, I sat with an occupational therapist who has been in the field for many years. She spoke about her experience in the field and gave wonderful advice.

Ciara Brabant: Would you recommend other students attend, and why?

Talya Flores: Absolutely! It is such a great way to gain knowledge, network, and expose yourself to the OT community.

Samantha Dooley attends Midwestern University in the OTD program as a 1st-year student.

Ciara Brabant: What did you expect your experience to be before attending the conference?

Samantha Dooley: Before attending the conference, I was expecting to meet a lot of new faces within the OT world and hear some very powerful presentations on compelling, pressing issues for this profession. As a student, I was expecting to learn a lot and get a glimpse into what my career as an OT will look like after graduation.

Ciara Brabant: What was your experience at the conference?

Samantha Dooley: While attending the conference, I was able to meet with several different employers from every realm within OT. I particularly enjoyed the keynote presentation this year and I saw clear connections between what I am learning as a current OT student and the development of a professional mindset.

Ciara Brabant: What were the positive and negative aspects of attending breakout sessions?

Samantha Dooley: I thought the various breakout sessions covered a wide range of topics/issues that were very prevalent in occupational therapy practice today. I enjoyed that all the breakout sessions I attended covered topics that were still suitable for current students to learn from and not too in-depth.

Ciara Brabant: How did you approach networking with peers, professional OTs, and organizations?

Samantha Dooley: During the breaks in between sessions, I was mainly able to network with the various OT organizations that were present at the conference and learn more about their services. I thought all the booths set up for these organizations were very suitable for current students as we begin our job search soon.

Ciara Brabant: Would you recommend other students attend, and why?

Samantha Dooley: Overall, I would highly recommend attending conference to other OT students no matter if they are in their first or final year of schooling. I left the conference with an immense amount of new knowledge regarding occupational therapy practice, and I also left with an abundance of information from OT employers and organizations that were present.

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