Joelle Jobin, erg. entered the Occupational Therapy (OT) program via the qualifying year (QY) after completing a bachelor’s in arts at the University of Winnipeg. She received her Master of Science (Applied) in Occupational Therapy in 2023. During her studies she completed fieldwork in a private return to work clinic, a role emerging community placement in Chisasibi in The Cree Territory, an acute care placement at the Kateri Memorial Hospital in Kahnawake, and an outpatient mental health day program placement in the public sector. As part of our Question-and-Answer series to showcase the McGill Occupational Therapy program and illustrate the diversity of the profession, Joelle answered these questions for us.
Why did you decide on OT as a career?
I was initially drawn to Occupational therapy while working as a cultural worker at an Indigenous Child and Family services agency. I was impressed by the vastness of the profession and appreciated how it was holistic and client-centered while simultaneously being scientific and evidence-based. Given my previous work experience, I initially expected to work in pediatrics, but after exposure to various clinical settings in fieldwork, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed working with people in all stages of life. It aligned well with my worldview and excited me by how much the field continues to develop and evolve.
What are some of the skills you feel make a great OT?
I think one of my greatest strengths as an OT is my resourcefulness, and my ability to listen. Being resourceful as an OT is a huge skill because no two interventions will ever be the same. We are constantly adapting our work to resonate with our clients, and we must be creative to do so.
Second, I think listening is an important skill for OTs. It sounds simple, but actively listening to your client or colleagues will enable you, as the clinician, to understand where they are coming from to help them to get where they want to go. Something I learnt in OT school was the idea that the client is the expert of their own experience, and I reflect on this daily in my practice.
What do you find rewarding as an OT?
OT is an incredibly rewarding field of work! The foundation of our work is to enable individuals to engage in what is most important to them, and when you reach that goal with someone it is so special. Something that surprised me through my placements was how much knowledge I gained from the clients, and how reciprocal the client/therapist relationship is. Every day I am challenged by the work I do, but every day I am learning new ways to overcome these challenges. No two days are ever the same for me!
How did you choose McGill University, Montreal?
Coming from rural Manitoba I’ve always been drawn to large dynamic cities like Montreal. Moving to Montreal was the first time I left my community and family, I was worried about how that transition would go but I was able to find support and community within McGill’s First Peoples House, the Indigenous Health Professions Program, and other Indigenous centered groups and volunteer opportunities. Although the program (QY to MSC) is a 26 consecutive month program, there was still many opportunities to return home to visit my family. As a second language French speaker, I was also nervous about starting a bilingual program, but the faculty were very supportive, and I found there were lot of opportunities to work on my French language skills in encouraging settings.
