SUNY Oswego students participate in a variety of internship programs to gain experience within their intended career fields as well as earn credits towards their degree progression. With the wide range of B.A. programs offered at our university, it is interesting to analyze the internships that students gravitate towards and to develop new perspectives on the knowledge that they are able to attain through these experiences.
Senior Jenny Carr will be receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in human development this May 2020. She is currently an occupational therapy intern at Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center in Oswego, New York. Jenny decided to take us along with her on a typical day of interning to share some valuable information about her ventures working alongside local occupational therapists.
Carr typically arrives at her workplace at 10 a.m. with a hot coffee in hand. She walks in the double door entrance of the facility and is greeted by a therapy dog named Lincoln which she describes as “the perfect way to start a productive work day”. She reports to her designated area of the gym floor space where she assists occupational therapists caring for patients suffering from physical disabilities. These individuals struggle to complete basic tasks in their daily lives such as using the restroom, opening doors and getting dressed. “Some of my main tasks include assisting patients back to the therapists and setting them up by making them feel comfortable and preparing a hot pack for them until their therapist is ready to start treatment”.
Since beginning her internship at Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center, Jenny has felt more connected than ever to her career goals of becoming a certified occupational therapist. Witnessing the powerful results of occupational therapy is both inspiring and demonstrates just how beneficial this field of work is. This experience has provided both valuable practice and a positive introduction to this type of professional setting. She is more motivated than ever to continue her education and work towards receiving her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. “As an intern, It’s important to remember that everyone has to start somewhere and that nothing worthwhile comes easy!”