OT placement student spotlight: Candace Robertson

Candace Robertson didn’t always know she wanted to be an occupational therapist. However, while working as an occupational therapy assistant for the Calgary Catholic School District, she saw how an OT can significantly enhance a child’s daily performance and overall quality of life. A passionate team of OTs inspired her to continue her education and pursue a meaningful career in OT.

Tell us about your recent placement.
My first practicum placement was with The Mustard Seed (Calgary) in the transitional housing program — a very unique initiative that is offered to people who are on a recovery journey and have experienced chronic homelessness in the past. The program offers a fully furnished living space, three meals a day for a year, and incorporates a person-centred approach while empowering clients to achieve independent living by supporting and enhancing essential life skills. The program aims to 'bridge the gap' between a fully supported recovery program and independent living. 

While at The Mustard Seed, I interviewed clients on a one-to-one basis, administered standardized assessments, ran morning meetings with all clients on the floor, organized and participated in recreational outings like a hike at Griffith Woods Park and a trip to the Calgary Zoo, and planned and implemented 'Wellness Wednesday' group sessions that focused on relevant topics such as sleep hygiene, mindfulness, relaxation and many more. 

My preceptor provided a safe and supportive space to build my skill set by successfully working directly with clients in this marginalized population which increased my confidence and my desire to continue to explore the realm of mental health as an OT.

What did you learn and how will you apply that to your profession?
Something that stuck with me was how different and individualized everyone's experience was. Although all the clients met the same requirements to enter the program, the context of their challenges, life experiences and history, thought processes, etc. were all very nuanced. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health. Building a strong relationship and devoting oneself to meeting the client where they are is crucial for the therapeutic process. By understanding how novel each client’s challenges and experiences are, I will aim to look at each human being that I get to work with as an individual rather than a diagnosis, recognizing their unique strengths, preferences and circumstances to provide truly personalized care.

What do you see in your future as an occupational therapist?
A year ago I was asked if I could see myself working in a mental health setting and at that time my answer was a clear and definitive 'NO!' However, after developing some skills in this area and seeing the value and impact that an OT can have in the mental health sector, I can definitely see myself working in an acute mental health facility. 

I have always considered working with the geriatric population because I have a special appreciation for older adults so I would love to work in a home-care or long-term-living environment at some point during my career. 

Having worked with children for over 20 years, I have developed strong skills in this area, and I can also see myself applying them in a role in a pediatric or school setting. 

It seems that I am currently undecided about where exactly my next stop will be on my career journey, and this offers me some excitement. Over the next 14 months, I will have the opportunity to complete three more placements, which I’m sure will help me find a role that aligns with my strengths and passions.

Would you recommend that students take part in placements? What advice would you give?
Absolutely, yes!! In-class learning is valuable, but the learning that occurs in a placement setting cannot be taught in a classroom. Building connections, conducting an interview, completing an assessment, impacting real people who are experiencing real challenges, and working with members from interdisciplinary teams (just to name a few) are necessary for advancing our learning and establishing critical reasoning skills.

If you are enthusiastic about working closely with others and positively impacting people's lives in a dynamic and fascinating field: OT is for you! I remember feeling uncertain and overwhelmed at the thought of returning to school as a 'mature student' but my passion and the support from peers and faculty have driven me to flourish in this environment. If I can do it, so can you.