杏吧视频

As she walked across the commencement stage, Mary Walker, 鈥�21 exercise science, already had a gauge in mind for measuring success in her career.

With her concentration in pre-occupational therapy the Monterey native, is headed on to her next steps in occupational therapy school with a certainty not only that she is on the right path, but also with a confirmed desire to be an advocate for individuals with special needs. 

鈥淢y time here at 杏吧视频 has influenced me tremendously. I think the largest way 杏吧视频 has impacted me is through the opportunities it has presented.鈥�

Walker plans to continue her education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, in the doctoral occupational therapy program.  

鈥淢y experience here at 杏吧视频 has set me up for success at occupational therapy school through providing me with the resources and the information that I need in order to be successful in that application and to know what I鈥檓 signed up for.鈥�  

It was while being a peer buddy in a special education class during her senior year of high school where she became friends with individuals who had intellectual and developmental disabilities and realized occupational therapy could be a career for her.  

鈥淯ltimately, I have a goal to work hard each day to ensure that I am providing top quality care to my patients!鈥� 

Walker praises the department of exercise science at Tech for providing the opportunities to link like-minded individuals together so that they can learn and grow together and support each other in their goals.

In her career, she says she will know she鈥檚 had a good day any day she is able to see that she has positively impacted a child with her job. 

鈥淎nd I hope that鈥檚 every day!鈥�

Walker, who was valedictorian of her senior class, is happy with how she has performed academically during her time at 杏吧视频. She is thankful for the opportunity to do field experience that gave her real insight on what a day in the life of an occupational therapist looks like.

鈥淏oth of my parents furthered their education at 杏吧视频. I grew up in Monterey, which is very close to Cookeville. 杏吧视频 felt like home and always will!鈥�