Polk State OTA Program prepares graduate for rapid ascension in field

As Marlee Nickerson was on the cusp of graduating from Polk State College with her Associate in Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), she aspired to a supervisory position within five years. Instead, it took her less than three.

Nickerson, 24, graduated from the program in December 2020. Nickerson served as the student president of the OTA Club during her time at Polk State.

“The small classroom sizes helped get that one-on-one interaction you needed with the professors,” she said. “Even on days when we didn’t have lectures, the labs were always open. There was always a place to study.”

A native of Umatilla in Lake County, Nickerson began her collegiate career at Lake-Sumter State College where she pursued an Associate in Arts degree with the long-term goal of earning her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy. After deciding she was more eager to start her career rather than spend more time in college, Nickerson enrolled at Polk State and moved 80 miles to Polk County. She started at Polk State almost immediately after applying to the program.

“I loved that a public college like Polk State offered the OTA program,” Nickerson explained. “It was so affordable. Some people pay for one semester what I paid for my whole program.”

As a Polk State student, Nickerson received multiple job offers. Halfway through her final clinical rotation, she accepted a position with First Step Therapy. First Step Therapy is a chain of seven clinics in Florida that works with patients from birth to 21 years old. The clinics offer behavioral, physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Nickerson started her tenure in Leesburg before a promotion to Clinic Manager in Eustis in November 2022.

“I have students who come here for clinicals, and I brag about the Polk State program all the time and how proud I am to have been part of it,” Nickerson added. “I felt very prepared. I loved it.”

Nickerson’s aspirations to work in the field of occupational therapy began as a child. For those in the profession, it’s often a personal event that serves as motivation to pursue OTA as a career.

“I had a family friend with cerebral palsy, and they would have occupational therapy come to the home,” Nickerson recalled. “I knew from a young age that I wanted to work with kids with special needs. That’s where my passion is.”

Nickerson is getting to fulfill that lifelong dream as a large percentage of First Step Therapy’s patients have special needs. Being able to help them is the basis for her daily motivation.

“It’s the small things that make it rewarding,” she said. “I get to do what I love every day. I absolutely love my job.”

Nickerson mentioned current Program Director Annette Bullard and former Director Anjali Parti, as two of her bigger influences during her time at Polk State.

“Professor Bullard challenged us just the right amount,” Nickerson added. “All the professors were awesome.”

The program trains graduates for work in the field and the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) licensure exam. Polk State OTA graduates boast a 95% pass rate on the exam, which exceeds both state and national averages.

“It’s always nice to see students move on to excel in their careers, and in cases like Marlee’s, to move on to management positions,” Bullard said. “Marlee was a great student, always had a smile on her face, and was a great problem solver. I’m really proud of her.”

The Polk State OTA Program accepts applications from Sept. 1 through Sept. 30. Nickerson offered advice for those enrolled in or considering the program.
“Go for it and stick through it,” she said. “It can be hard at times, but I promise, it’s worth it in the end.”