Allied Health
Kara Rickenberg '19
Employer
Occupational Therapy Student
LinkedIn Profile
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-r-811559168/
1. Tell us about your journey since graduation.
I graduated in December 2019 and was in the process of applying
to OT school, however, I decided to take a gap year once the COVID-19
pandemic hit. I worked in an Autism center for a year before applying
to OT school. I am now a third-year student at Washington University
in St. Louis, about to graduate with my doctorate in occupational
therapy. In school, my research areas have included supporting family
caregivers of stroke survivors, supporting adoptive parents in
parenthood, and supporting families and infants in the NICU and the
transition home. My career interests include early intervention and
NICU therapy.
2. Share a favorite Grand Valley memory.
I was lucky enough to have my Honors freshman sequence downtown.
I enjoyed exploring and learning about the city of Grand Rapids.
3. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Shift your thinking from "having to do" things to
"getting to do". This has helped me practice gratitude and
view everything as an opportunity.
4. List three words you would use to describe your Grand
Valley experience.
Exciting, Growth, and Connections
5. What difference would you like to make in the world?
Someday I hope to work in the NICU and instill resilience and
optimism for both the infants and their families.
May 2024
Interest Area(s)
Allied Health Sciences, Psychology
Categories
Honors College
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