Student Spotlight

Student Spotlight: Nicholas Willis

Student Spotlight: Nicholas Willis

Occupational Therapy Assistant

| By: Anonym

Career Program: Occupational Therapy Assistant
Hometown: Campbelltown, Australia
Current Residence: Grand Chute
Age: 23
Attended FVTC: Fall 2018 - Spring 2020

Why did you choose the Occupational Therapy Assistant program?

I worked as a nutrition supervisor at a hospital in Australia and, prior to that, had been working in the healthcare field for 3 years. I saw first-hand the results the Occupational Therapy department achieved with patients and it always struck me as a very rewarding field, along with providing ample opportunities for interactions with diverse groups of people.

What are you learning about your career field that you find interesting or rewarding?

I'm learning that Occupational Therapy encompasses a much wider range of conditions than I had initially thought. Aiding those with such conditions to be able to cope and get back to doing the things that bring them joy seems very rewarding to me.

Why did you choose Fox Valley Technical College?

I chose FVTC because it not only offered the program I desired, but the Fox Valley region is very close to my heart. I attended Little Chute High School, where I developed a lot of close friendships before moving back to Australia. That being the case, it's great to be back in the area where I spent a good portion of my teen years.

How did Fox Valley Technical College help you change your life?

FVTC has helped change my life by providing me with the opportunity to study in America and providing me hands-on experiences in the field of Occupational Therapy. Along with that, all the staff have been wonderful and it's apparent that they want to see me succeed.

What type of job do you expect to find after graduation?

I initially had my eyes set on working with the geriatric population. As I learn more about the diverse range of clients that I'm able to interact with, though, I am keeping my options open and am excited to learn more about what being an OTA means for me.