Tara O. Schoor

Growing up outside of Saratoga Springs, NY, I spent the majority of my childhood giving back to others. This is a strong value of mine that has been reflected and strengthened through my volunteer efforts. From a young age I was certain I wanted to work in healthcare and ultimately made the decision to pursue occupational therapy knowing I could help individuals regain the skills needed to live life to the fullest. I chose Ithaca College because it was evident to me that the professors in the Department of Occupational Therapy care so deeply about their students. It was apparent that this school would grant me the professional and personal experiences needed to cultivate the skills necessary to be a successful clinician. Succeeding graduation, I plan to delve deeper into conducting research surrounding stroke rehabilitation and hope to obtain a job working in neurorehabilitation.

My most memorable experience while attending Ithaca College includes my short-term study abroad to Ecuador. This trip opened my eyes to healthcare delivery in an international context. It fostered my professional development as it enhanced my interpersonal communication skills and clinical reasoning abilities. This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and marked the beginning of many lifelong friendships.