Finding one’s passion can be a winding journey. For Daniela M., an occupational therapy assistant student at American Career College, her career in education led her to discover a deeper purpose: helping others thrive through occupational therapy.
“I feel like I never really found my purpose before this,” she said. “I was kind of always searching for something that I was passionate about.”
Her journey began while running an academic intervention program for six years. Through this experience, she met occupational therapists and was inspired by their work.
“I started observing the therapist, and from there, I started volunteering at different clinics,” she explained. This exposure revealed a path that aligned perfectly with her interests and values. As she researched occupational therapy programs, she discovered the program at ACC-Orange County.
After watching some of the videos on ACC’s website and setting up a call with an adviser, she knew she had found the right place. The program not only offered robust training but also emphasized community engagement, a value she deeply appreciated.
“We’re very big on helping the community,” she said, highlighting the program’s events and outreach efforts.
For Maldonado, occupational therapy is more than just a career — it’s a mission to transform lives. Her goal, she shared, is to empower individuals to achieve what they thought was impossible and to educate others about the importance of the field.
“You’re going to be working with people that come from different walks of life,” she said. “If you’re patient, if you’re compassionate, and you just want to help people, this is a great career for you.”
