Alumni Career Q + A with Niki Gonzalez, Occupational Therapist
Name: Niki Gonzalez
Age: 27
Occupation: School-based occupational therapist
Graduation year: NAU OTD, Class of 2022
Why did you choose to go down the career path that you did?
My experience with my younger brother who was born with Down Syndrome made me certain that I wanted to go into healthcare. I had completed internships and shadowing hours under various health professionals up until my freshman year of undergrad. Occupational therapy was the profession that made me feel like I could truly be part of someone’s journey to becoming the best version of themselves.
How did NAU prepare you for your career?
NAU’s OT curriculum and faculty provided all of the foundational knowledge required to understand occupational therapy and how to think like a therapist. I believe what prepared me the most was NAU’s commitment to getting students out into the community to apply our new skills as practitioners.
Why should others consider pursuing a career in your field?
If you are looking to help others become more independent or a better version of themselves, this is the career for you! Occupational therapy’s scope of practice allows us to do that in so many different ways.
What do you hope to see in the future for your profession?
I hope that one day, occupational therapy will be as recognizable as physical or speech therapy.
What’s the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is getting to implement animal-assisted occupational therapy with my therapy dog, Oso. I’m pretty sure that’s my students’ favorite too!
What would you say to a student interested in pursuing your profession as a career?
Whether you are interested in occupational therapy or any other profession, make sure you shadow someone who works in that area so you can be certain that is the career you want to follow. Not only does that help you during the application process, but it helps you get a sneak peek into what your future will look like.
What are some ways you practice self-care to avoid burnout / what do you do for fun?
My self-care practices include spending time with loved ones, practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and doing leather work!