Episode 43 — The Role Of A Child Life Specialist With Katie Taylor '07

Katie Taylor '07 is the Co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform revolutionizing pediatric healthcare by putting parents at the center of the medical journey. With over 13 years of experience as a certified child life specialist, Katie has made significant contributions to the field of child life and the families she’s served with over a decade of working at the bedside. She is an accomplished author, an engaging speaker on child life and entrepreneurship, and the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast. Katie's work emphasizes the vital role of child life services in supporting caregivers and enhancing children's medical journeys.On episode 43 of The People of Penn State, Katie joined us to discuss how Penn State helped prepare her to become an entrepreneur and enter the “helping profession," the role of a child life specialist, and much more. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Katie and Child Life On Call on social media: FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timestamps0:00 — Intro1:42 — Welcoming Katie to the show2:57 — Becoming a Penn Stater3:48 — Involvement as a student, including being a member of the Lionettes Dance Team and participating in THON 5:41 — Initial career goals7:46 — Ad Read 1 - LionPerks 8:40 — How Penn State prepared Katie for her career in helping others10:21 — Katie's path to becoming a child life specialist 15:05 — What a child life specialist does 17:23 — How storytelling and imagination can help children cope with their illnesses18:56 — Growing as a professional/entrepreneur 24:15 — Ad Read 2 - Alumni Travel  Program24:55 — Child Life On Call Podcast information26:10 — Lightning Round Q&A, including Katie's favorite class at Penn State and Creamery flavor 30:50 — Outro For more alumni stories, visit pennstatermag.com