A Decade of Connecting OT and PT Students with the Healthcare Workforce

A milestone year for a professional learning experience

For many students, the transition from classroom to clinic can feel daunting. What does a professional interview really look like? What are employers listening for? And how do you begin to see yourself as a clinician rather than a student?

Those questions were front and center as American International College’s Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy programs marked the 10th annual OT and PT Professional Day. Held in the College Center Auditorium, the event brought together students, alumni, and employers for a day focused on professional readiness, giving students a clearer sense of what today’s healthcare employers are looking for and how to step into the field with confidence.

Faculty leadership grounded in research

Courtney Taylor, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CSRS, associate professor of occupational therapy, and MaryAnn Kniska, PT, DPT, assistant professor of physical therapy are the co-leaders of Professional Day. Their faculty-led initiative has grown over time, shaped by years of research on student outcomes that the pair has shared at state and national conferences, including the AOTA Inspire 2025 Conference.

“Our data shows that OT and PT students perceived that this interprofessional job preparation module and culminating event successfully prepared them for high-stakes interviews,” said Dr. Taylor. “Students reported that participation decreased their anxiety associated with interviewing and increased their self-awareness and reflection around job readiness skills.”

Preparing students for what comes next

During the fall semester, twenty-six students – seventeen in the physical therapy program and nine in their final year of study in occupational therapy – participated in the program. As part of their coursework, students focused on practical job-search skills, including developing elevator pitches, strengthening interview techniques, learning strategies to prevent burnout, and thinking intentionally about professional identity.

AIC’s Saremi Center for Career Development partnered with the OT and PT programs to support this work, connecting students with community partners Suit Up Springfield and Dress for Success.

For some students, Professional Day was their first experience dressing for a formal interview. Matthew Bremmer, a fifth-year OT student and the first in his family to enter a health sciences field, said the event was his first career fair—and his first time wearing a suit.

“Having this opportunity to speak with companies means a lot to me,” Bremmer said. “I’m taking away a lot more confidence going into my job search from this experience. One company has already said they plan to reach out to me.”

Making connections that lead to opportunity

A key component of Professional Day is the job fair, which features employers actively hiring, including organizations with a strong history of employing AIC graduates. Alumni returned not only as recruiters, but as mentors, sharing insight into their own transitions from student to professional practice.

“Our therapy employers consistently share enthusiastic feedback about the opportunity to meet our outstanding soon-to-be therapists,” said Dr. Kniska. “They’re offering real-time feedback on resumes and interview skills, and in many cases, interviews and job offers grow directly out of connections made at this event.”

Alumni reflect—and give back

Yong Kim ’20, now a practicing physical therapist, said Professional Day played a significant role in his career path. “When I was a student, this event helped me make local connections for fieldwork experiences,” Kim said. “It gave us exposure to potential employers. A lot of the clinicians I work with now are from AIC.”

Occupational therapy graduate Chanon Vallas ’23 shared a similar perspective. “Coming here today helps me reflect on the uncertainty of being a student,” she said. “With OT, there are so many pathways. Experiences like this helped me figure out what felt right for me.” She added, “The professors made sure we were ready when we graduated. I feel confident these students will be ready when they leave AIC.”

Closing the loop between education and employment

Recent graduate Grace Simeon ’25, now working at MVPT in East Longmeadow, returned to Professional Day as an employer representative. She shared that her own experience at the event when she was a student helped launch her career.

“I showed interest to the recruiter and I was hired,” Simeon said. “This event played a big role in helping me get started in my career.” Her advice to students was straightforward: “Be professional, be genuine, show your interest, and know what you’re looking for.”

Ten years in—and still growing

Now in its tenth year, OT and PT Professional Day continues to help students build confidence, form professional connections, and move more smoothly from the classroom into clinical practice.

By bringing together students, alumni, employers, and campus and community partners, Professional Day remains a cornerstone of career-focused learning at AIC—one that continues to evolve alongside the students it serves.