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When setting off on a journey, it may be necessary to reverse direction and find another way to reach the destination. That could easily describe the route Nicole Grimm is taking to find her place in the working world.

Grimm graduated from ����Թ� in 2022 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in fashion design. She is now set to graduate in May with an associate degree in occupational therapy assistance from the ����Թ� State East Liverpool Campus.

While it seems that the logical progression through college is to earn an associate degree before earning a bachelor’s degree, Grimm found herself at a crossroads on her educational journey and needed to switch gears. She hit reverse.

The decision to go back to school for a seemingly unrelated degree, however, is making all the difference in Grimm’s future and where she is now headed. 

“It’s been eye-opening to see the connections between fashion and occupational therapy,” the Canfield resident said. “During my time in the fashion program, we often discussed the importance of accessible and inclusive clothing. Through the OTA program, I now have a solid understanding of various diagnoses and the physical challenges people face with daily tasks like getting dressed and I can approach solutions creatively for my future patients.”

As an OTA student, Grimm learned to make splints which, when combined with her skills in designing and making patterns, helps her create properly fitting and more customized splints.

“I really enjoy splint-making and how it utilizes my design skills and I want to look into getting certifications for it. This blend of my two degrees fills me with excitement for my future career.”

When first deciding to go to college, Grimm said the creative and artistic side of her personality made her lean toward a degree in fashion, while her compassionate and caring side led her to consider a career as a physical therapist. She chose fashion design.

“I had big dreams of moving to California or New York and that life would be great,” she said. “Being at ����Թ�, however, made me realize that I flourish when I am near my family. I realized that I may not be cut out for a big city, so maybe I could be a small-town designer in the Youngstown area. It is more important to be near my family.”

When Grimm graduated as a fashion designer, she was offered a job in Pittsburgh making custom prom and wedding gowns. Still not wanting to move, she stayed home and began working in a small boutique in Poland designing and creating original dresses. She quickly saw the business side of running a small company, noting the long hours and hard work, and decided to take a step back.

“I began to second guess myself and I knew I needed to evaluate my career choices,” she reflected. “When I decided to go back to school for occupational therapy, I realized there were so many unique opportunities and ways for me to use my fashion design skills.”

Grimm explained that following surgery for a tennis-related injury a few years ago, she worked with an occupational therapist as part of her rehabilitation and began to appreciate the importance of this field. “I chose this path because I’ve always enjoyed working one-on-one with people. … I love how personal and individualized this career is,” she said.

Grimm still has a love for fashion and enjoys sketching and sewing in her free time. She also enjoys teaching others to sew and she recently taught her OTA classmates basic sewing techniques that helped them make several fabric tote bags that were given to area patients and attached to their walkers.

“Occupational therapy lets me care for people facing physical challenges and show them how to adapt to the changes in their lives,” she said. “Now, I have an even wider horizon for designing and creating items that are more inclusive for them. I would really love to create items for patients with limited mobility or using prosthetics. I found my calling and I can still be a designer.”

Cutline A: Nicole Grimm

Cutline B: That’s Nicole Grimm – third from the left – with a class of ����Թ� State fashion design students in Paris.

Cutline C: Nicole Grimm uses her sewing machine in an OTA class to make tote bags for patients’ walkers.

Cutline D: Working with an OT patient at a clinical site, Nicole Grimm prepares to make a splint.