Running head: EXPERIENCE AT HEALTH PROFESSIONS FAIR

My Experience at the Heath Professions Fair

Assignment 12
Anna Kreger
Spring 2016
HDFS 3110

EXPERIENCE AT HEALTH PROFESSIONS FAIR

When considering my possibilities for the Wild Card Assignment, I originally thought it
would be interesting and beneficial to shadow an occupational therapist. Following my time
spent with the therapist, I would then use the experience as a subject for this assignment;
however, I feel writing about actual patient contact might be a HIPAA violation by revealing
confidential information about the patients. HIPAA is a collection of federal laws put in place to
protect patients rights and confidentiality.
In an effort to avoid violating HIPAA statues, I then decided to instead reflect on my
experience of attending the Health Professions Fair that the University of Georgia hosted on
March 3, 2016. I found this to be a valuable experience, in that it allowed me to interact with
representatives from multiple occupational therapy graduate programs, in which I might be
interested.
As I prepare to finish my third year at the University of Georgia, the process of applying
to graduate school is fast approaching. Unfortunately, the University of Georgia does not have
an occupational therapy undergraduate or graduate program, forcing me to venture outside of
Athens to complete my graduate studies. A complicating factor is that the prerequisites required
for entrance vary from program to program. In addition to having different prerequisites, each
program varies in the number of shadowing hours required from applicants. While this
information is listed on each schools website, it is helpful to ask admission representatives
specific questions that are not answered online. Despite the wealth of information available
through the Internet, there is no substitute to a person-to-person conversation between an
applicant and a schools admission representative.
When I discovered that the University of Georgia would be hosting a health professions
fair, I knew attending the event would be a great professional development opportunity, and the

EXPERIENCE AT HEALTH PROFESSIONS FAIR

perfect chance for me to converse one-on-one with representatives from great occupational
therapy programs. In order to prepare for the fair, I researched the schools that would be
attending and took notes on each school with an occupational therapy program.
Advance preparation would help minimize that chance that I would ask questions that
were already answered online. I was concerned that if I asked questions that were answered
online, I would come across as unprofessional. In addition to crafting questions, I edited my
resume and printed out a dozen copies on professional paper to give to school representatives.
The webpage announcing the fair left the dress code ambiguous; I decided I would wear nice
pants, a blouse, and a blazer in an attempt to look professional and demonstrate appropriate
respect to the school officers present.
Upon arriving at the graduate school fair, I walked around Tate Grand Hall and looked
for the occupational therapy programs. I spoke with representatives from four programs and
made sure pertinent contact information was exchanged. The first person with whom I spoke
was Jonathan Nugent, the Director of Marketing for Health Professions at the University of
Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). I asked Mr. Nugent if the applicant review board views
students who have completed all of their prerequisites prior to applying more favorably than
students who are still in the process of completing the prerequisites when they submit their
application. He responded by stating that as along as a student completes all of the prerequisites
prior to beginning the occupational therapy program, it does not affect how they are viewed by
the admissions board. Mr. Nugents response was reassuring. I know that I will have not
completed physics when I submit my application.
Next, I spoke with Jamie Cushway, an Admissions Specialist from Brenau University. In
the fall of 2015, Brenau changed its list of prerequisites for its occupational therapy program,

EXPERIENCE AT HEALTH PROFESSIONS FAIR

now requiring applicants to complete chemistry. Because I have not taken chemistry, nor am I
planning on taking the course prior to graduation next May, Ms. Cushway and I discussed
Brenaus post-baccalaureate program. The post-baccalaureate program allows students to
complete their remaining prerequisites prior to beginning the occupational therapy program.
While this seemed like a viable option, Ms. Cushway encouraged me to complete chemistry at a
public university during the summer of 2017 and proceed on track, entering Brenaus
occupational therapy program in August of 2017. It was helpful to discover that I would be able
to complete chemistry in the summer prior to matriculation and still be a candidate for the
entering fall class of 2017. I definitely feel as though I developed a relationship with Ms.
Cushway that would allow me to email her with further questions.
In addition to speaking with representatives from UAB and Brenau, I also spoke with Dr.
Lester Pretlow, a professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs within the College of
Allied Health Sciences at Augusta University. I greatly enjoyed speaking with Dr. Pretlow,
amplifying my excitement about the occupational therapy program at Augusta University. He
reassured me that I would be a competitive candidate for the occupational therapy program,
which was great news. I offered Dr. Pretlow my resume; however, he explained that he was not
collecting resumes at that time. That did not surprise me because none of the other
representatives were accepting resumes either. Dr. Pretlow told me that he was impressed
because I was prepared and on top of it. Even though I was slightly disappointed that
representatives were not collecting resumes, I thought it would be best to be prepared if a resume
was requested.
Lastly, I spoke with a representative named Lauren Smith from the College of Health
Professions at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). I told her that I toured MUSC

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in July of 2015, and it seemed likely that this program would be my first choice. Because I had
already toured the campus and attended an information session on the occupational therapy
program, I did not have any questions for Ms. Smith; however, I still felt that it was important to
introduce myself to her and fill out an information card. Speaking with Ms. Smith further added
to my enthusiasm about MUSCs occupational therapy program.
My attendance at the fair exceeded my expectations, and I am happy that I went. Not
only were my questions answered by representatives, but I also had the opportunity to practice
what I was learning in my Professional Development class, such as how to give a proper
handshake. While attending the fair, I noticed a difference in how people interacted with me
based on the quality of my handshake. I felt as though the representatives took me seriously due
to my professional outfit and demeanor. Attending the graduate school fair allowed me to
network with people who will be valuable resources as I begin the application process. While
shadowing an occupational therapist in Athens would be a great opportunity, and one I should
pursue, reflecting on my experience at the Health Professions Fair better transformed into an
essay. Overall, I would qualify the fair as a growth and learning experience, having the potential
to make a significant impact on the success of my application to graduate school.