For Tiffany Henze, one unexpected elective course transformed uncertainty into purpose and led her toward a career helping others regain independence, resilience, and meaning in everyday life.
At A Glance
Alum
Tiffany Henze
Program
BS in Applied Psychology (2018)
Professional Pathway
Occupational Therapist & Certified Hand Therapist
Graduate Degree
MS in Occupational Therapy, Tufts University (2021)
Take the time to sit with yourself and figure out what you truly enjoy learning, and talk to someone you trust about how those interests might translate into a career."
Discovering Occupational Therapy
Midway through her junior year in the Applied Psychology program at NYU Steinhardt, Henze reached a turning point. As course registration approached, uncertainty crept in. She was captivated by her classes and fascinated by the insights into human behavior, development, and relationships. Still, she sensed something crucial: becoming a psychologist was ultimately not what she wanted to do.
What she could not yet see was what new direction would take its place.
During a meeting with her academic advisor, Amanda Holda, Henze shared that she felt lost. Together, they explored what she valued most in her studies and the types of work that sparked her enthusiasm. Amanda recommended an introductory course in occupational therapy. It was just a two-credit class, and Henze confesses she entered the first week with little idea of what occupational therapy actually entailed.
Within days, everything shifted.
The field struck a chord with her right away. Occupational therapy wove together everything she cared about: science, evidence-based research, teaching, and service. It also invited creativity and genuine human connection. For Henze, it felt like finding the career she had always been meant for.
Mapping Out A New Path
Once that realization took hold, she reshaped her final year at NYU. She outlined the prerequisites for graduate programs in occupational therapy and relied on the strong intellectual foundation she had built in Applied Psychology. Classes like developmental psychology, research methods, and social psychology deepened her understanding of how people adapt, heal, and discover meaning in daily life.
After earning her degree in Applied Psychology in 2018, Henze continued her journey at Tufts University, where she completed a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2021.
Now, she serves as an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist in San Diego, helping patients recover from orthopedic injuries and neurological conditions like stroke and Parkinson’s disease. Her days are spent guiding people as they regain hand mobility or supporting them as they relearn how to navigate daily life after major medical events.
Advice for Students
In every setting, one principle remains at the heart of her work: helping people reclaim the activities that give their lives meaning.
Reflecting on her journey, Tiffany views her time in Applied Psychology not as a detour but as the foundation that enabled her transition. The program taught her to think deeply about development, behavior, and resilience. Those lessons now guide her as she helps patients rebuild their independence.
Her story offers a gentle lesson for students facing similar crossroads. An Applied Psychology degree does not confine you to a single path. Instead, it opens doors to a wide world of people and possibilities.
Sometimes, the right direction starts with the class you nearly overlooked.