Alumni Profile: Cassidy Wint ’17

Improving the lives of others is the easiest way to explain what Cassidy Wint ’17 does for a living — but it doesn’t do it justice. As an Occupational Therapist Assistant, Cassidy spends her days helping the geriatric population in Columbus, Ohio, become more independent.

“I have always wanted to help people,” Cassidy says. “I address any deficits that my patients have, including toileting, walking and bathing. My job covers everything and anything I can do to improve their lives.”

Initially, Cassidy wanted to be a counseling psychologist, but after McCoy Professor Dr. Ryan May placed her in an occupational therapy internship, she quickly changed her mind.

“I loved it. I did a semester placement and the woman I worked with was so passionate and I knew right then this is what I wanted to do,” Cassidy says.

She earned an Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy from Kent State University, but Cassidy believes her strong background in psychology is why she is so successful.

“There’s a heavy cognitive component to occupational therapy, so I feel that psychology opened me up to the world of OT,” she says. “Because I have a heavy background in psychology, I have gotten more job offers than most new graduates in my field.”

Occupational Therapists must earn a bachelor’s degree in something and then continue their education and either earn a master’s degree or Ph.D. Cassidy says a psychology degree was the right undergraduate degree for her.

She also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art at Marietta.

“It is amazing how much both degrees have helped me in my career,” Cassidy says. “While the cognitive piece is big, I also appreciate my liberal arts background. I have a lot of patients who come from a ton of different backgrounds. Thankfully, I have a broad understanding of the world and it helps me connect with my patients.”

Cassidy was a four-year letter winner on the women’s soccer team and was co-captain her senior year. Her job also allows her to show off her athletic ability at times.

“Counseling lacked the hands-on work that I wanted to do,” she says. “As an OT Assistant, I have to physically lift people. I also must do a lot of problem-solving. I didn’t realize it at the time, but everything I learned as an undergrad has helped me either directly or indirectly.”