Holly Reid

EPHE 447 CAREER PLAN

November 2016

1. Professional and personal goals:

Personal Goals:
Short term:
- Graduate from UVic in April 2017
- Maintain a work/life balance over the course of my studies and into the next chapter of
my life, whether it is continuing on with school or entering the workplace
- Explore opportunities for volunteering and getting involved in the community, not
specifically for furthering my career but for the serving others.
Long term:
- Move towards being able to support myself financially, especially if I take time off from
school and begin working
- Build more of a friend network with a variety of people
- Engage in sporting activities with others to remain social after graduating

Professional Goals:
Short term:
- Graduate from UVic in April 2017
- Get accepted into Occupational Therapy at UBC or U of A for September 2017
- Expand professional network
Long term:
- Complete Masters degree
- Begin career as an OT
- .. to be continued!

Although my goals are specific to obtaining acceptance into occupational therapy, I

recognize that there is the chance that I may not be accepted right away. If this is the case, I have
a few back up plans which offer as alternatives while I consider reapplying. My main goal if I
dont get into OT school is to obtain my CSEP and/or FMS certifications, which are common
 qualifications needed for kinesiology related jobs. The process of obtaining these shouldnt take
more than a few months because I have the prerequisites, and I should be certified before
September 2017. While obtaining these, I will apply for various kinesiology jobs within BC. I
realize it is unlikely that I will get a full time kinesiology job in an area that I am particularly
interested in right away, so I plan to apply to northern and rural areas which have a specific need
for health professionals. I would love to work in indigenous communities where there are a lack
of facilities, resources and opportunities, because I feel that I can help improve the lives of many
people who are in need of help. Another goal would be to obtain a job in a hospital, working with
those with mental health issues. My family has a background of mental health challenges, and I
have seen the important role that medical professionals play. I would like to work as a
kinesiologist or rehabilitation therapist with people with PTSD, anxiety or other challenges, as I
have had experience with this from my life and those in my family.

2. Self-assessment:

Analysis of strengths, weaknesses, abilities, and threats:

Strengths Weaknesses

- Work ethic and intrinsic motivation
- Volunteer experiences
- Coaching & leadership skills
- Public speaking skills in front of a large
crowd
- People pleaser; working on being more
assertive/standing up for myself

- Collaborative ability - Self-critical with very high

expectations of myself
- Actively seeking unique solutions for
solving problems - Difficulty delegating tasks because I
want to make sure they are done well
- Adaptable to change and on time

- Effective communicator - Attention to detail can sometimes

interfere with the ability to submit a
- Time management & organizational project early
 skills - Small professional network

- Critical thinking

- Enjoys working independently but

works well with others

- Eager to learn

- High GPA

Abilities Threats

- Leading others toward reaching their - Many areas (OT, PT, Kin) are
goals competitive and saturated (in Victoria)

- Caring and compassionate for those - Difficult to be accepted into

less/differently abled health/therapy Graduate programs

- Effective planning & strategy - Limited time to work in the field

development because of being a full-time student

- Goal setting with objectives of how to - Real world experience is different than
realistically reach the goal textbook knowledge

- Identification of potential barriers, and

development of strategies to overcome
them

- Strong organizational skills for

effective project and task planning

3. Reflecting on past experiences:

- I began my post-secondary education at Camosun College enrolled in the Bachelor of

Sport & Fitness Leadership degree. During completion of my degree I contacted UBC to
 make sure that they accepted the degree from Camosun as suitable for meeting the
requirements for OT. They said that it was not an accredited degree since it was a
specialty area, and therefore I couldnt apply. I then decided that if I wanted to pursue my
dream of one day becoming an OT, I would need to transfer to UVic to complete a degree
in Kinesiology. Again due to the fact that the degree I was completing was a specialty
area, UVic did not accept it and I had to begin my studies in first year courses. I was
accepted into Kinesiology in 2014, and am looking to graduate in April 2017. It was a
very difficult decision to leave half way through my first degree and start all over again,
but it I am happy with my decision. I remain confident that I made the right decision, and
when I finally become an OT, it will all have been worth it!

- After graduating high school and transitioning out of minor hockey, I became a NCCP
certified hockey coach and began coaching the initiation program at Peninsula Minor
Hockey Association. I spent 3 years coaching various levels at PMHA and putting on
clinics for female hockey players to try to increase participation numbers. In 2014 I was
approached by Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association and asked if I would be an
assistant coach for the South Island Pee Wee female Royals, and was honored to take the
position. I recognized there was no dryland trainer or fitness component for the athletes,
so I offered to be the dryland trainer as well. Coaching has given me so many experiences
that I am very grateful for, and feel that I learned as much from the athletes as I hope they
learned from me. I learned how to be a positive role model, and quickly realized that
youth are more observant than most people might think! They watch and listen to
everything around them, and are likely to repeat or imitate words and actions, particularly
of those they look up to. This led me to reflect on my personal behaviour, and how to
carry myself in a respectful, professional manner. As the only female coach on all the
teams Ive coached, I feel a responsibility to the athletes to show them that although
hockey is a male-dominated sport, there is a place for women as well, they just might
have to work harder to get and hold those positions! I learned the importance of
establishing both personal and professional barriers, and how to communicate when I felt
those barriers were being disrespected. Coaching is something I hope to continue to
 pursue, and if I dont get accepted into OT in the next few years, it is something I am
going to get more heavily involved in.

- In 2011 I began doing gardening/landscaping as a part time job while in college. In 2014
I decided to try making it my full-time summer job, so I made up business cards and tried
to acquire enough clients for full time work. I quickly had a waiting list, since apparently
Sidney has a lot of older people who really need help with their yards! I learned a lot
through starting my own little business, especially how to be professional about each job
and communicating effectively. A simple miscommunication can quickly lead to
customer dissatisfaction, as I quickly learned, for example by not asking enough specific
questions and taking out a plant here or there that the client wanted left in. I learned how
to create invoices and track my revenue and expenses, which is an important part of
making sure the business is profitable. I also learned the importance of being consistent,
and always working hard because someone is always watching. I had neighbours come
over and talk to me many times while I was working in someones garden, and they
would comment on how I worked very hard and didnt waste time. Word of mouth was a
huge reason for why I was so busy, and I realized that talking about myself in a modest
way is a good way to advertise for free. I still have clients who I occasionally will work
for, and even though it isnt directly related to what I want to be doing as a career in the
future, I enjoy it and the money is better than what I would get paid doing something
else.

- I have been volunteering at the Queen Alexandra Centre for Childrens Health for the past
16 months in the Collaborative Spasticity Program. I assist the head physiotherapist with
a circuit training program which takes the participants through various exercises for both
functional and strength purposes. Volunteering with people with disabilities has given me
a deeper understanding of how to interact with people in a caring and respectful manner.
In addition, seeing how the physiotherapists, occupational therapists, orthotists, and
physiatrists collaborate to determine the best treatment and care for the patient has
allowed me to explore which area I connect best with. I feel that the approach that the OT
takes is the one that fits with my personal values, beliefs and way of thinking; and I feel
very passionate about helping others in this way.
4. Competency assessment:

Personal management skills:

I recognize that getting things done takes personal effort as well as effort from others, therefore I
acknowledge the diverse opinions of others and accept differences in the process of reaching a
common goal. I act with honesty, integrity and personal ethics at all times, being especially
cognizant when dealing with those with different abilities. I manage my personal health and
well-being by living an active lifestyle, eating healthy, and doing activities/hobbies that make me
happy and serve my emotional and mental health. I plan and manage my time very effectively,
and schedule my priorities so that I am not rushed to get things done, and I leave time to step
away from the work and do other activities. I assess, weigh and manage risks whenever I am
faced with an uncertain situation, by considering how the actions may impact myself and others.
I recognize my strengths, but also my weaknesses, and I use my weaknesses as opportunities to
improve while maximizing my strengths.

Thinking and problem solving:

I recognize that problems are often accompanied by human, interpersonal and technical
dimensions which require complex problem solving skills and innovative approaches. When
faced with a novel problem, I assess the situation to see how I can apply knowledge from past
experiences. I carefully assess situations to identify the root cause of the problem, not just the
surface problem. I explore solutions in an innovative and creative way whenever it is safe to do
so, by building off of past experiences; I then make recommendations and decisions based on the
solution that I consider the best option.

Communication:

I understand that my words and actions impact others, therefore am aware of the verbal and non-
verbal communication I use. I am an active listener, not just an active speaker, since it is
important to listen to what others are saying to fully understand the meaning of the situation. I
listen and interpret before responding, and I maintain professional, direct and meaningful
vocabulary to convey information.
Managing information:

I recognize that all information discussed with an individual is private, unless informed
otherwise, therefore I maintain confidentiality. I do not disclose personal information about
myself to others unless it is in an appropriate context, or outside of a professional environment. I
make note of important information that I learn through experience, and share this knowledge
with others who may benefit from it.

Research and Analysis:

Throughout my undergraduate degree I have researched a wide variety of topics, involving both
qualitative and quantitative research. I can read and critique research, which furthers my
understanding of how to choose effective research techniques. I can perform extensive literature
reviews to gain insight into a topic without bias, by researching all perspectives of a topic.

Project, task and organizational skills:

Whenever presented with a project or task, I follow a similar process of organization regardless
of the end goal. I first outline the goal of the project or task, followed by the general objectives
for reaching the goal. I identify the steps I will take that will lead me toward reaching the goal in
an efficient manner. My organizational skills are advantageous, as I can be confident in the
amount of work I take on since I can plan out a timeline of how much I can get done while
maintaining a high quality of work.

Commitment to quality:

I understand that all work completed by myself is a direct reflection of the organization I
represent. This motivates me to ensure that everything I do is done to the best of my ability, in a
timely and professional manner. The quality of my work reflects my knowledge, experience, and
deep passion for health care and helping others.

Workplace behaviour:
 My years of experience as a high performance athlete has given me a high ability to work
effectively within a team setting, and I understand the importance of collaboration, particularly in
the health care field. I am conscious of how my workplace behaviour influences the people I
work with, or those who are in the same work space as me. I conduct myself if a professional,
responsible and honest manner, and I aspire to be a source of positive energy for others,
especially during difficult times.

Social Responsibility:

Working with people of different abilities requires an understanding that no single approach
works best for everyone. I approach each person as an individual and try to understand them
without expectations or pre-existing beliefs about what I think I might know about them or their
condition. I am socially responsible in that I treat all people with the same level of respect and
care.

Continuous learning:

One of my favorite things to do is to learn something new. I strongly believe that learning is a
lifelong endeavor, and I will continue to partake in learning throughout my career, and my life. I
am competent in my methods of learning, and throughout my degree have learned effective ways
to read information and facilitate consolidation of memories through techniques such as applying
the concepts in a practical sense. I am a visual-kinesthetic learner, and I use this strength to
benefit my professional pursuits by constantly learning new approaches and concepts for health
care and applying them whenever it is appropriate to do so.

Specific competencies for Kinesiology and related jobs:

I am competent in assessing human movement, performance and function by applying my

knowledge of biomechanics, anatomy, physiology, and psychomotor behaviour. I can read,
evaluate and apply professional medical information within my scope of practice. I am
comfortable with designing programs that maintain, rehabilitate or enhance human movement,
for different levels and abilities.
Additional competencies:

- CPR, First aid

- NCCP multi-sport level 1

- NCCP/Hockey Canada levels 1 & 2

- Run, Jump, Throw Athletics Canada trained

- CSEP CPT (in progress)

5. Competency gaps & practical experiences to fill the gaps:

Gap: Lack of real-world workplace experience in a clinical setting. Although volunteering at the
hospital is great experience, I am limited in what I can do as a volunteer and not an employee.

Self-development: Continue to be as involved as I can in settings where I can volunteer and be hands
on with patient rehabilitation. Although volunteering has limits due to insurance and safety
regulations, being able to observe and interact with the health professionals will allow me to
develop a personal philosophy and approach which I think would be best in similar settings in
the future. An additional strategy to gaining real-world experience would be to obtain part time
employment at a rehabilitation facility as a junior kinesiologist or similar position. Once I obtain
my degree, I will be able to register with BCAK and have more direct involvement within
clinical practices.

Gap: Assertiveness and public speaking ability

Self-development: Practice assertiveness in group work without being controlling or off-putting.

Toast masters has a club on campus which I could attend to learn ways to improve
communication and develop better public speaking skills. Continuing to practice public speaking
 by asking questions in class, and presenting in front of the class will further improve my
confidence and capability to speak publicly.

Gap: Practice with fitness program development and exercise prescription.

Self-development: Although I have taken the courses which present the theory for how to program, I
have had limited practice with doing it for different populations. Through obtaining my CSEP
certification, I have started to have more opportunities to create exercise programs. When I
obtain my personal training certification within the next few months, I will be able to start
working with clients and learning to develop effective programs.

5. Plan of Action:

My plan of action is mainly focused on applying and being accepted into OT. I am working
towards filling the requirements and submitting my applications. The steps I have taken and am
still currently taking are as follows:

- Acquire a minimum of 70 hours of volunteer hours working with people with physical
disabilities. I have met this requirement by volunteering at the QACCH. My volunteer
reference is responsible for verifying my hours, and this will be something I discuss with
her very soon. I have tracked all my hours, and have a record of them at the hospital.

- Have 1 volunteer reference who acted as my direct supervisor. I have arranged to have
the head physiotherapist for the spasticity program act as my reference, as she has gotten
to know me over the past 16 months and agreed to be a reference for me.

- Have 2 academic references who can speak to my ability to succeed in a graduate

program. I have contacted two professors who know me quite well, and they have both
agreed to act as references for me. We have kept in touch about the approximate timeline
for when I submit my application and when the reference letters are due. I will keep them
up to date on my progress, and insure that they know what they are responsible for doing.

- Each application is approximately $200, and this year I am applying to 2 different

programs. Fortunately this isnt an issue and I am able to pay the fees.
- I must submit the online applications before January 15th for UBC and February 1st for U
of A. I have all of the documents ready for the UBC application except the letter of intent.
I will be submitting it by the end of November so that my references receive the prompt
to submit their reference letters for me well before the deadline. The U of A application is
only available for 21 days before submitting the online portion whether it is completed or
not, so I have to wait until it is closer to the end of the semester because I need to upload
my transcripts at the end of December.

- Writing the letter of intent for UBC has been something I have struggled with, so I made
an appointment with Michelle Floyd from co-op and career services to have her help me
edit it and make it better. Once I am happy with the letter, I will upload it to my
application and submit the application.

- The U of A application has a few different components than the UBC application, so
when I register for the online application I will have about 3 weeks to fill in all of the
information and submit it. I might have to make another appointment with Michelle if
there are questions that I am unsure how to answer.

- Once I submit the applications, I wait to hear back about getting an interview. If I am
fortunate enough to get an interview at one or both Universities, I will contact career
services and make an appointment to do the mock interview prep that they offer. It is a
behavioural style panel interview, so I will research what types of questions are typically
involved, and Ill begin to think about how I will go about answering the questions.

- Since the Universities are out of town, I will have to arrange transportation to the
interviews, assuming they are in person. For UBC I will likely go with a family member,
since I think its important that I have someone with me as it will be a very stressful time
for me. Depending on the U of A process I may have to fly to the university for the
interview, and will make those arrangements if that is the case.

- If I am accepted into an OT program, I will have to move. This means that I will have to
find a place to rent near the campus. Luckily I dont have to take out any student loans, so
paying for rent and tuition wont be a barrier for me.
 - Upon acceptance into OT, I will be applying for scholarships and funding. Since I am
aboriginal, there are lots of scholarships available, especially for graduate level programs.
The main organizations that I apply through are Indspire and the Irving K. Barber BC
Scholarship Society. My preferred place to study OT is UBC, since it is close to home,
and there is more funding available if I stay within the province. I will continue to
explore other resources for funding over the course of this year.

- If I dont get accepted into OT this year, I will take into consideration the feedback about
why I didnt get in, and make my next decision accordingly. I currently have a high gpa
and dont foresee that being the reason I dont get accepted, but the interviews are
challenging and that could be where I dont quite make it in. If this is the case, I will
apply for jobs online through the use of career finding websites such as learning in
motion (UVIC), LinkedIn, Indeed, and similar online portals. I will keep an up to date
resume and e-portfolio so that my applications are ready to go at any time. It is hard to
predict what other action steps I will need to take, as things need to play out before I
determine which direction I am heading in next.

7. Summary of self:

I am currently completing my 4th and final year of Kinesiology at the University of

Victoria, and am an applicant for the Masters of Occupational Therapy program for September
2017. I was born and raised on Vancouver Island, which has given me a love for the outdoors,
which is where you'll likely find me if I am not studying or working. I played hockey throughout
my childhood and teenage years, which then lead me to naturally transition into coaching.
Through coaching, along with personal training, I realized that I am deeply passionate about
helping others improve at things that are important to them. I believe that one's quality of life is
heavily impacted by their ability to perform activities of daily living without difficulty. Therefore
I strive to provide others with a level of care that will serve to improve their quality of life
through applying my knowledge of biomechanics, exercise physiology, anatomy, and
psychomotor functioning.

Letter of Intent/Personal Statement for OT application:

 I learned about Occupational Therapy while studying Sport & Fitness Leadership at
Camosun College. I began shadowing an OT and exploring the various areas of practice, and
realized the possibility of becoming an OT excited me and aligned well with my passion for
helping others, as well as my personal values and beliefs. I contacted UBC to find out if my
program of study was an appropriate prerequisite for the MOT program, and was informed it did
not meet the requirements. I then made the difficult decision to leave half-way through
completing my degree, and start a degree in Kinesiology at the University of Victoria, so that I
could later apply for the MOT program. Volunteering has given me insight into the roles of
different health professionals, and I remain confident that I identify most strongly with
occupational therapy. For the past 16 months I have volunteered at the Queen Alexandra Centre
for Childrens Health, working in the Collaborative Spasticity Program doing circuit training
rehabilitation with individuals with various disabilities. Through volunteering I have learned the
importance of a multi-disciplinary approach, collaboration of health professionals, and evidence
based practice when implementing a rehabilitation program. I always look forward to the time I
spend interacting with patients, and still get excited by the progress they make and the
improvements in their quality of life that I frequently see. This hands-on volunteering reaffirms
my passion for physical rehabilitation, with a particular interest in how ones ability to carry out
activities of daily living relates to their environmental, occupational, performance and spiritual
domains.

As an aboriginal female, I bring a unique set of cultural and personal experiences to

everything I do. I hope to work in aboriginal and rural communities in the future, as I feel there
is a need for quality health care services in areas which lack the resources that urban locations
have. I understand and appreciate the importance of the attributes that an OT must have, and
have worked on developing my competencies accordingly. As a hockey coach for several years
and a laboratory assistant at UVic, I have learned to effectively communicate with people of all
ages, backgrounds and abilities. I act with integrity, honesty and personal ethics at all times, as I
recognize that my words and actions have a direct impact on those around me. I seek out creative
and innovative solutions to the root cause of the problem, and am a strong problem solver due to
the many challenges I have faced during completion of my degree. Studying kinesiology has led
me to develop competencies in assessing human movement, performance and function by
applying my knowledge of biomechanics, anatomy, physiology and psychomotor behaviour. I
 offer the profession of OT a unique set of experiences combined with my passion for helping
others to provide quality of care that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing
challenges.

8. Current up to date resume:

Holly Reid
1365 Charles Place
Saanich, B.C.
V8P 5M6
Phone: (250) 882-2665
Email: hollyreid@live.ca

OBJECTIVE
To obtain acceptance into the Masters of Occupational Therapy program at the
University of British Columbia.

EDUCATION
Currently completing my 4th year of studies in Kinesiology at the University
of Victoria.

SKILLS
Active problem solving
Adaptability
Critical thinking
Effective communication
Collaboration
Time management
Leadership

WORK HISTORY
2015-Present Employer: Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA)
Position: Strength Trainer
 Duties: Monitoring patrons, cleaning and organizing equipment, spotting and
assisting with lifting techniques

2011-Present Employer: Self Employed Gardener/landscaper

Clients: Approx. 4-6 clients year round
Duties: Gardening, landscaping, yard clean up, physical labor

2012-2013 Employer: Catalyst Lifestyle Services Fitness Studio

Duties: Administrative tasks, client interactions, reception and phone calls,
marketing/promotions, general cleaning duties, personal training.

2011-2013 Employer: Private Personal Trainer

Duties: Fitness assessment, program development, implementation and
monitoring of progress.

VOLUNTEER/WORK EXPERIENCE

2016-present Laboratory Teaching Assistant University of Victoria

2015-present Queen Alexandra Centre for Childrens Health Circuit
training/rehabilitation
2014-2015 Dryland Trainer & Assistant Coach VIAHA Pee Wee Female South Island
Royals
2014 Island Hand Therapy Clinic Occupational Therapy shadowing
2011-2014 Assistant Coach Peninsula Minor Hockey Association
2012 Personal Training Intern at Catalyst Lifestyle Services (400 hours)

TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION

2015 First Aid & CPR C (valid until Jan 2018)

2014 Hockey Canada Development Level 1 (16 hour workshop)
2012 Run Jump Throw Athletics Canada Certification (Level1)
2011 Respect in Sport (Previously called Speak-Out) Certification
2011 BCRPA Weight Training Certification
2011 BCRPA Fitness Theory Certification
2011 Hockey Canada Hybrid Level 1
2011 Tandem Canoe Level 1

EDUCATION

In progress University of Victoria Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (BSc.Kin)

2011-2013 Camosun College Sport Management Diploma (DipSPMA)
RELATED COURSES

2013-2016 University of Victoria: Nutrition, human anatomy, systemic physiology, biology,

biopsychology, neuropsychology, biomechanics of human movement, motor control,
multidisciplinary physical activity, exercise physiology, exercise prescription.

2011-2013 Camosun College: Sport and exercise psychology, fitness for life, introductory
nutrition, sports nutrition, sport marketing, sport management, long term athlete development,
developmental psychology, advanced nutrition.

AWARDS

2016 John Michael Brownutt Scholarship ($1200)

2016 Indspire Academic Scholarship ($5500)
2016 Irving K Barber Scholarship BC Aboriginal Student Award ($1000)
2015 Indspire Academic Scholarship ($3500)
2015 Irving K Barber Scholarship BC Aboriginal Student Award ($3900)
2014 Langford-Seaborne Scholarship ($500)
2011-2013 Deans List Achievement Award (Camosun College)

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS

Weight training & functional fitness
Continuing education in kinesiology related topics
Hiking, backpacking & camping
Ice hockey and other sports

REFERENCES:

Ms. Veronica Planella

University of Victoria
Academic professor & mentor
mvplanella@gmail.com
(250) 721-7294

Ms. Anna Weston

Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities
Assistant Manager
(778) 679-4593

Ms. Heather Rock

Catalyst Lifestyle Services Fitness Studio
Former co-worker
(250) 858-9401
Mr. Mark Milburn
Catalyst Lifestyle Services Fitness Studio
Internship supervisor/employer
(250) 881-5307

Mr. Shawn Haddock

Peninsula Minor Hockey Association
2012-2014 Coaching Mentor
(250) 888-7071