Kendall Harvey '22

Name: Kendall Harvey

Graduation Year: 2022

Major: Psychology with a minor in Sociology and Anthropology

Your Story: When I started at Gustavus, I knew that I wanted to be an Occupational Therapist. This statement does not ring true for a lot of people, and that is perfectly okay! I knew that I wanted to help people in a healthcare setting and I did NOT want to take Organic Chemistry. I found out about occupational therapy and my mind was made up. Throughout my undergraduate years, I have worked in many capacities with the populations that are commonly served by occupational therapy. Some of the more prominent experiences are listed below. Throughout these experiences, I was able to meet new people, network, and learn about the field of occupational therapy. While it seems to have been smooth sailing for me to get to where I am, there have been many hurdles. Mid-way through my Junior year, I was diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma (a benign brain tumor that sits on my auditory and vestibular nerves and impacts my hearing and balance). Once I got this diagnosis, it was difficult to know what the next few years were going to look like. Fortunately, I was able to continue on with my studies and I will be graduating in May 2022 and starting my OTD at St Catherine University in June 2022. I am so grateful for the Gustavus community and all of their support and resources in getting me where I am today.`

Top Five Activities/Experiences: (in no particular order)

1. Parkinson’s Exercise Class at River’s Edge in St Peter (volunteer program partnership with Gustavus Office of Health Professions)

2. President of the Pre-PT/OT Club at Gustavus

3. Position as a Behavior Technician at Fraser 

4. Community Advocacy Intern at CADA in Mankato

5. Co-President of the American Cancer Society at Gustavus

Advice:

Start early! It is always good to get ahead and the earlier that you start, the more opportunities you will be able to get! One experience can change your life drastically, so it is important to try new things and get as much as you can out of each experience.

Talk to people in the field! Connect with former Gusties on LinkedIn and ask about their experiences. I interviewed a few occupational therapists and occupational therapy students to learn more about the profession and schooling and it was extremely beneficial in confirming that it was the right fit for me. Anyone is welcome to connect with me on LinkedIn and I would be happy to talk to you and answer any questions! 

Join the Pre-Physical and Occupational Therapy Club! It is a great way to learn more about the field, while also meeting lots of people with common interests. There are meetings once a month and they are very informative!

Future Plans:

I will be starting in the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy - Entry Level Program at St Catherine University in June 2022. I am eager to begin my journey and start learning more about Occupational Therapy. 

Update 5/24/22 HB