Ep 33. The Rewarding Pursuit of a Pediatric OT Fellowship with Teresa Cao
Show Summary:
Have you ever wondered if pursuing a pediatric fellowship is worth the financial sacrifice?
In this episode of The Money Matters in OT Podcast, I’m joined by Teresa, a pediatric occupational therapist who took a leap of faith by moving states to pursue a fellowship. From clinical rotations in feeding, autism, and neurodevelopment to her impactful work in the NICU, Teresa shares the highs and lows of her fellowship journey — including the financial realities that came with it.
We dive deep into the tough questions: How do you balance a pay cut while advancing your career? How do you overcome imposter syndrome as a new grad OT? And what strategies can you use to build confidence when you’re just starting out?
If you’re a new OT or student wondering if a fellowship is the right path for you — and how to navigate the financial side of it — this episode is packed with honest advice and practical tips.
In today’s show, we’re chatting about:
Teresa's journey from working in a sensory integration clinic to moving for a pediatric fellowship
What it’s really like working as a pediatric OT fellow
How to manage the financial strain of a pay cut and out-of-state move
Practical strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome as a new grad
The role mentorship plays in building confidence and advancing your career
Insights into balancing career growth, personal life, and yes — even wedding planning — while pursuing a fellowship
Guest Bio:
Teresa is a Vietnamese American pediatric occupational therapist. She started her career working in a sensory integration clinic and received her certificate in Ayres Sensory Integration to support the foundations of her practice for those with developmental disabilities and neurodiversity. After working in California for 3 years, she moved to Oregon to pursue a pediatric fellowship at a children’s hospital. There, she completed clinical rotations in feeding, autism, neurodevelopment, early intervention, and NICU. After the recent completion of her fellowship, she is now working at an outpatient pediatric hospital, in addition to working in home health part time and developing her private practice. She aims to work with young children with feeding and swallowing disorders for the years to come. Lastly, Teresa has always been passionate about seeking and providing quality mentorship at all stages of her career path, and aims to support pre-OT students and new grads in their discovery of the occupational therapy profession.
Resources
The Backbones to Becoming a Clinical Occupational Therapist
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