I earned a competitive scholarship in the Spring of 2024 to attend the PLEN Global Policy Seminar in Washington, DC through Texas Woman’s University (TWU). I had been to Washington, DC, many times before I completed my doctoral internship there in 2019 while in my occupational therapy program, so I was excited to attend the Global Policy seminar to learn more about bridging my passion for occupational therapy, mental health, and policy while using the unique skills I acquired over the years.
The PLEN seminar was just what I needed as I entered the third year of my PhD studies at TWU. Some topics were refreshers for me, such as networking and grassroots advocacy. Still, there were many topics that I had not yet dipped my toes into, such as anti-human trafficking, immigration in the US, and global policy career options. Aside from having the opportunity to tour the Smithsonian museums and the Capitol, one of my favorite experiences was visiting the Amazon Web Services Skills (AWS) Center. This session included a neat tour of AWS, featuring state-of-the-art technology and hands-on learning opportunities. Panelists shared their experiences, from past internships they completed at Amazon to what their day-to-day looks like. I enjoyed how innovative each panelist was and how passionate they were about their roles. What stood out to me is that every day is a new opportunity to learn at Amazon. As a self-proclaimed life-long learner, I was immediately intrigued by the career opportunities ahead in a technology-driven company such as Amazon.
This session allowed me to expand my knowledge of my role as a researcher and healthcare professional at a company such as Amazon. I knew that healthcare technology was advancing rapidly with artificial intelligence and a web-based world, but I never thought it would be something I’d be genuinely interested in pursuing. All of the panelists were inspiring and supportive.
Overall, the PLEN Global Policy seminar allowed me to network with a diverse range of professionals on the cutting edge of global policy. As someone who has always been interested in policy and advocacy, I learned that there will always be a role for me, especially as an occupational therapy practitioner, leader, and researcher. The PLEN experience has ignited my passion to be an activist and strive for innovation. I am excited about my future and am glad to have a new network of leaders to lean on as I continue to reach my professional goals.
Sue is a PhD student in occupational therapy at Texas Woman's University. During her third year in the program, she attended the PLEN Global Policy Symposium. After completing her third year in the PhD program, she wants to work in healthcare policy writing in Washington, D.C.