9th Annual ILOTA Student Conclave

Schedule

Saturday, March 21st 

Registration - Continental Breakfast Available

"NBCOT® National Certification Exam:  Information You Need to Know"

Catherine Killian, OTD, MEd, OTR/L, NBCOT Ambassador for Illinois

Connect with NBCOT and gain invaluable insights into the best approaches for achieving your certification goal in Occupational Therapy.

Unlock a wealth of knowledge as we delve into specific topics, including insider details about the exam, essential study tool resources, and crucial test day information. This presentation is your gateway to being well-informed about every facet of the national certification exam.

Don't miss out on this unique chance to connect, learn, and elevate your preparation to new heights. Your certification success story begins here.

Keynote Presentation: "Inspiring Students to Lead Today, Tomorrow, and Throughout Their Future"

Jennifer Summers, OTD, OT/L, FNAP

This keynote will challenge students’ definitions of leadership to encourage them to see themselves as potential leaders within the OT community. Through an exploration of student identified barriers to pursuing leadership roles, we will present a multitude of strategies, resources and opportunities to empower students to seek out and to accept the exciting challenge of leading within our profession. 

"How to Market your Experience on the Job Hunt"

Ryan Cleaveland, CEO, Spotter Staffing

Join us for an engaging workshop where the CEO of Spotter Staffing will unveil the secrets to effectively market yourself as a fresh OT/OTA graduate. Learn how to showcase your unique experiences and strengths, empowering you to stand out and thrive in the competitive job search landscape.

"Does Frank Get the Job?"

Presenters:

Interviewer: Ryan Cleaveland, CEO, Spotter Staffing

Step into the world of occupational therapy success with our exclusive session, where two seasoned experts will conduct a compelling mock interview tailored specifically for aspiring OT and OTA professionals. This immersive experience is designed to provide students with invaluable insights into the art of interviewing for coveted occupational therapy positions. Join us for a session that offers  practical skills that will empower you to shine in any interview scenario.

Visit sponsors, network with presenters and other attendees.

Lunch

“Balancing the Doing: Creating Sustainable Work–Life Balance as an OT/OTA Student and New Practitioner”

Frank Czuba, DrOT, OTR/L

Join your fellow OT and OTA students for this interactive session, where students will share their perspectives, experiences, and personal strategies for fostering a more effective balance in their lives.  Completing the journey to becoming an Occupational Therapy Practitioner is extremely challenging, and then students must successfully transition into professional practice.  Get to know your fellow OT and OTA student colleagues and learn new ways to cope, manage, self-regulate, and care for ourselves to become the most effective practitioners in the future.

Optional Breakout Sessions:

"Confidence, Competence, Certification: NBCOT Prep in Action — A Student Panel"

Presenters:

Panel of Students (TBA)

The purpose of this session is to foster a community in which we can share, reflect, and build our collective knowledge to better support you as you are preparing for the NBCOT exam. A panel of students who have recently taken the NBCOT exam will share their experiences and advice in preparing for the exam. The moderator, Dr. Sarah Austin, has conducted a national survey of student experiences, and she will draw upon the results of this study to frame questions for both panelists and audience members. Through our shared discussion and reflection, we will identify practical strategies and meaningful supports for exam preparation.

Participants in this session will:
• Identify 2-3 strategies for increasing their knowledge of content related to the NBCOT exam.
• Identify 2-3 strategies to support self care in the process of preparing for and taking the NBCOT exam.

Dr. Austin is an Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy at Chicago State University. Her PhD is in Educational Psychology with a focus on Measurement, Evaluation, Assessment, and Statistics. She remembers the stress of taking the NBCOT exam herself, and has recently worked with a group of Masters of OT students to study how recent graduates prepare for this exam.

"Finding Your Lane in Hand Therapy, Electives, Mentorship, and State Association Involvement"

Presenters: 

Kimberly Anderson, MS, OTR/L, CHT

This breakout session highlights hand and upper-extremity rehabilitation as an occupational therapy specialty and provides pathways into the field for students. The speakers will highlight why hand and upper-extremity rehab is a distinct part of occupational therapy. Students will explore practical pathways into hand therapy that can start now, including available elective learning options, student-led skill-building opportunities, conference participation, and structured mentorship.

We will also discuss how getting involved with your state association can accelerate your professional growth by expanding your network, increasing access to specialty education, and opening doors to meaningful volunteer, committee, and leadership roles.

Participants will leave with an outline of the  multiple entry points into the specialty, as well as a simple roadmap of effective networking in the field of hand and upper extremity rehabilitation.

Optional Breakout Sessions:

"Fieldwork Mastery: Insights and Advice from OT Practitioners and Students"

Presenters:
Beverly Menninger, MA, OTR/L

Phyllis Hughes, DrOT, OTR/L

Panel of Students (TBA)

Join us for a breakout session where a stellar lineup of occupational therapy practitioners and students spill the beans on the transformative fieldwork experience. Discover student expectations, untapped opportunities for personal and professional growth, and receive golden nuggets of advice to conquer your fieldwork rotation triumphantly. Don't miss this chance to unlock the keys to a thriving journey in occupational therapy!  

"Thriving in Occupational Therapy: OT Frameworks to Support Resilience and Prevent Professional Burnout"

Laura Mraz, OTD, OTR/L
Founder & CEO of Three Birds. One Mission.
President-Elect of ILOTA

Join us for an interactive breakout session designed to support occupational therapy students as they transition from the classroom into professional practice. Explore how burnout can affect new practitioners and discover how OT frameworks can foster resilience, strengthen professional identity, and promote long-term well-being. Learn how motivation, roles, routines, and therapeutic use of self can shape not only client outcomes, but also your own well-being as a future practitioner. Participants will leave with practical strategies, reflective tools, and empowering insights to thrive throughout their early career journey. 

Closing Remarks

All student registrants who attend the (brief) Closing Remarks will be included in a drawing for THREE free ILOTA memberships!

Additional Activities and Services

Resume Reviews (Free!): The deadline to sign up for the Resume Reviews is March 15th. We will have multiple industry recruiters, hiring managers, and experienced practitioners available to provide you with feedback and advice on your resume. Resume reviews are available between 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, by appointment only, and will run concurrently with other scheduled events. If you sign up for this option during the online registration process prior to the March 15th deadline, we will assign everyone a specific time slot and notify you beginning on Monday, March 16th.

Professional Headshot Photos (Free!): We will have a photographer available from 10:30 am until 1:00 pm during the Student Conclave to take professional headshot photos of student registrants. This opportunity is free, included in your registration fee, and a photo will be available to the student soon after the event to download and use for job applications and interviews, etc. No sign-up necessary.

Register Here!

Interested in sponsoring this event? See below! 

Important Dates

Now through March 21: Registration is Open

March 15: Deadline to sign up for the Resume Reviews. See the section below for additional information.

Register Here!

(Includes Continental Breakfast and Lunch.)

ILOTA Student Members and all ILOTA members: $35.00

(You must be logged in as a current ILOTA student or practitioner member in order to register at the $35 rate.)

Non-members: $60.00

(Student membership is only $25/year, so why not join first? Costs the same!)

Not a member?  Join today!

 Venue:

(Free parking!)

If you require any reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact us at [email protected] at least two weeks prior to the event. 

Interested in becoming a Sponsor for just $325? Read more here!

Sponsorship registration form is here!

2026 Sponsors:

Attention Students, Faculty, and Academic Administrators: If you are interested in a GROUP REGISTRATION, where your students can register now for free and your school or SOTA can pay later, please contact ILOTA Executive Director George Buckley at [email protected] to make arrangements!

ILOTA  *  PO Box 4520, Lisle, IL 60532  *  708-452-7640  *  [email protected]

Register Here!