The summer after her sophomore year, Meghan Moyer spent 50 hours as an intern in a local school, observing and assisting occupational therapists. What is it like to intern in occupational therapy?
About Meghan Moyer Major: Occupational Therapy Minor: Dance
Describe more about what you did?
I got to learn more about something I’m passionate about. On a daily basis, I interacted with two OTs and many students in kindergarten and first grade at Early Childhood School in Victor.
Each week, the students did an obstacle course with OT tasks, like laying on a swing on their stomach and using tweezers to pick up small plastic bugs and put them in a bin. They were working on fine motor skills and coordination.
I assisted one OT in all of her sessions, guiding the students through the different activities, and even created an activity of my own. They do a lot with handwriting and forming letters, so I gave them toy hands that stick to a whiteboard, where there were three horizontal lines. We’d call out a letter and they’d slap the hand at the horizontal line where they would start writing that letter. The letter “f” would start at the top line. It went really well. They had to use their wrist and look to the right line, so it required hand-eye coordination.
How were you prepared for your internship?
Naz has given me a strong knowledge of how to work with kids. Each OT class I have taken has improved my understanding. For example, intro classes during my first year showed me what to look for, plus getting to observe Naz seniors working with clients in the on-campus clinics. Then in Human Development we observed kids — newborn to about age 4 or 5 — and how they play. In occupational science, we went to Rochester Childfirst Network to lead activities for kids at their after-school program. All of these experiences have given me real world experience with OT in just the two years I have been at Naz.
So I was ready — but also there’s a lot I still need to learn to fully give services.
What was challenging about the experience?
The hardest part was being able to explain what they’re supposed to be doing in a way they would understand — without doing it for them.
Was anything particularly satisfying?
At one point, I got to work one-on-one with a kid who came in for movement breaks. Really getting to interact with her and make a connection with her was kind of cool. We did different activities, like pushing the scooter and doing yoga poses. The second time I worked with her, I got to design the schedule of what we were going to do.
Also, I saw the students’ confidence grow while I was there. They got more comfortable interacting with me. I felt more connections as the weeks went on. They were asking me questions and letting me guide them through.
The experience was supported by a Naz SPARK Grant?
Yes. The internship was unpaid. The support of the grant enabled me to gain OT experience and to also afford a study abroad experience in the coming year.
Do you have a dream job in your future life’s work?
For awhile, I was looking at EI — early intervention — meaning in-home care with preschool-age kids. I’ve now shifted my focus, maybe to doing feeding therapy or being a travel OT. I probably will end up in all three of those in my career, because OT allows for that. I want to get as much experience as I can. I definitely want to work with kids.
What attracted you to Naz and what stands out to you now?
It has everything I wanted: The OT program, and I also dance and Naz has a dance program, so I can do a dance minor. I also run all 3 sports seasons. So the coaching and team dynamic mattered.
I love it here. The community surrounding Naz is really strong. Everyone I talk to is super nice. The professors are super nice. There are so many opportunities here. Being in an on-campus clinic observing OT seniors my first semester here was really important. It makes you know you’re on the right path. It’s not something all colleges have.
Any tips for students for their first internship?
Pick something you’re passionate about. And trust the process from there. The Naz internship course includes forms to complete with your supervisor to get real practice asking for feedback. You’ll write a final reflection, and you’ll learn how to succeed in a work environment.
Meghan Moyer is going into her junior year majoring in occupational therapy with a minor in dance. She is on the women's cross country and indoor/outdoor track teams. Her favorite style of dance is breakdance because she enjoys doing tricks like spinning on her head.
