Supporting Generation Z Students and Practitioners into OT Practice

Abbey Glenn, OTD, OTR/L, BCG, ECHM

Learner Outcomes:

1. Attendees will identify 3 strengths of Generation Z students or practitioners.
2. Attendees will identify 3 supports in the classroom and in the clinic for Generation Z.Abstract:

Abstract:

Generation Z represents the vast majority of OT and OTA students and new practitioners. This is a worried and stressed out generation, with their most prominent worries as fear of failure, money, and larger societal issues. Anxiety appears to be the most prominent for this generation followed by depression. Their constant connectedness impacts both mental and emotional health. It is critical that as a profession we harness effective academic and clinical learning opportunities to bolster confidence, instill competence, and find ways to utilize the strengths of this young professional generation.

Biography:

Abbey Glenn is an assistant professor and the doctoral capstone coordinator in the department of occupational therapy at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona. She is board certified in gerontology through AOTA with 19 years of clinical experience. She teaches courses related to the doctoral capstone process, maximizing aging in older adults, and activity analysis, all of which are research interests and pursuits. She is a proud member of the Arizona OT fieldwork and capstone consortium.