OOTA Career Development SIS

Welcome Professionals interested in supporting Career Development both for yourself and other occupational therapy professionals in Ohio!

Connect, learn, and grow with the Ohio Occupational Therapy Association.

Career Development SIS – Purpose & Mission

Purpose

The Career Development Special Interest Section (SIS) is a member-driven community within the Ohio Occupational Therapy Association (OOTA) designed to support occupational therapy practitioners at every stage of their professional journey.

Mission

To empower Ohio OT practitioners to build, navigate, and advance fulfilling careers through peer connection, professional resources, mentorship, and continuing education.

Subsections & Project Areas

Mentorship Committee

OOTA’s Mentorship Committee supports Mentorship Program participants in the following ways:

  • Ensuring effective mentor/mentee pairings
  • Serving as a mentor/mentee
  • Preparing conversation starters for the pairings
  • Expanding the committee to offer coaching 
  • Developing CE opportunities
  • Development of setting/practice-specific toolkits 
Student Support Section

OOTA’s Student Support Section helps students to “work their way into the job market” in a number of ways. 

  • Mock interviews
  • Networking opportunities that are practice/setting-specific
  • New grad meet up at conference (October 16-17, 2026 in Columbus, OH)
  • Research dissemination (i.e. post-capstone support)
Job Support Section

OOTA’s Job Support Section helps OTPs articulate and enhance their professional profile throughout their career.

  • Resume reviewing
  • LinkedIn Profile Assistance
  • Development of a job search and salary resource page
Higher Education Section

OOTA’s Higher Education Section supports OT practitioners and students as they navigate the higher education space in OT.

  • Developing relationships with OTA to OTR transition programs/schools 
  • Connecting those looking to make professional/educational transitions
  • Ad-hoc “support group” development related to OOTA member needs
  • Scholarship application support
Continuing Education Section

OOTA’s Continuing Education Section develops content that enhances professional growth for OOTA’s audience and programming participants.

  • Developing education surrounding career development, research, and journal writing support
  • Development of resource pages, videos, and/or CE events
  • Providing information about best practices and approaches for submitting to journals for publications including the Newsletter Committee 
  • Liaising with OOTA’s Social Media chair for Career Tip Tuesday’s
Want to get involved? Click Here!

Upcoming Opportunities and Events

To learn about the latest events and upcoming opportunities — both supported by the Career Development SIS and other activities supported by OOTA, visit our events page.  

Alyssa and the Career Development SIS are here to support YOU.

The Career Development SIS is led by Alyssa DeCarlo.  Alyssa has been serving on the OOTA Board of Directors and is excited to serve in this capacity.  As the Career Development SIS is new for OOTA, we are all happy to mold it into the special interest section best designed to serve YOU. 

Whether you have questions about membership, want to get involved in OOTA events, or need guidance as you develop your career – we’re just an email away!