Shichun Huang Finds Community Through Occupational Therapy

After moving to the United States from China 13 years ago, Shichun Huang spent her days caring for her three children while supporting her husband’s academic and professional journey.

The family moved to Athens, Georgia, where her husband pursued his doctoral degree and later relocated to Wilmington when he accepted a position at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

While caring for her family was deeply important to her, Huang wanted to build connections beyond her home.

“I had been a stay-at-home mom for over 10 years,” she said. “We don’t have family here, not many friends, and my English was poor at that time.”

As her youngest daughter prepared to start preschool, Huang began thinking about what came next.

“This was never just about earning a paycheck for me. I wanted to feel like I belonged. I wanted to feel like I was contributing to my community.”

Inspired by the Impact of Occupational Therapy

As Huang considered her options, she found herself reflecting on her father-in-law’s recovery from a stroke.

During his recovery, she watched occupational and physical therapy professionals help him relearn everyday tasks.

“They came to his hospital room on the second day after he arrived,” Huang said. “I was impressed by how they helped him regain independence.”

The experience opened her eyes to the field of occupational therapy and ultimately led her to pursue the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program at Cape Fear Community College.

Finding Support at every step

Before applying to the program, Huang met with CFCC Career Services, who introduced her to OTA instructor Summer Corbin.

“She was a huge reason I applied to the program,” Huang said. “She has such a warm attitude, always smiling, and is full of positive energy. I knew I would get a lot of support from her.”

When she entered the program, Huang faced a steep learning curve. She worried that her English skills might hold her back, but the faculty at CFCC encouraged her at every step.

“The instructors were very understanding. They welcomed all my questions and told me not to hesitate to ask anything. The care they showed made me want to work harder,” Huang said.

The challenges of the OTA program were demanding, but Huang never felt like she was facing them alone.

“One of my classmates is raising six children while also navigating life as a breast cancer survivor. Another one of my classmates is a single mom to three children. They gave me strength. They are just like angels. I could feel the love and compassion.”

Ready to Serve Her Community

At the program’s pinning ceremony, Huang received the highest award in her cohort.

“It was amazing to know my hard work was seen,” she said. “The award made me feel loved, cared for, and encouraged.”

Huang feels confident about beginning her career as an occupational therapy assistant, likely in a part-time or PRN role while continuing to raise her young children.

“I wanted to make a contribution to the community,” she said. “Now I have the opportunity to do that.”

To learn more about CFCC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program, visit cfcc.edu/occupational-therapy-assistant.