Meet Shanika Mcclain Queeman

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shanika Mcclain Queeman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shanika , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience has been a part of me from a young age. As a child, I often moved from one home to another, living with different family members. Each move brought new challenges, but I was fortunate to have a loving family that embraced me every step of the way. Despite the changes, they provided me with stability, care, and a sense of belonging, helping me develop inner strength. Looking back, I realize that my resilience was shaped not only by these experiences but also by the unwavering support and love of my family, who always wanted the best for me.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

As a proud graduate of Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), I began my career with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. My journey started as an Activity Director and later as a Recreation Therapist with the Autism Society of North Carolina. Driven to make an even greater impact, I returned to WSSU to pursue Occupational Therapy, where my time there fostered resilience, leadership, and a commitment to social responsibility.

After graduating, I accepted an Occupational Therapist role at Indian River Memorial Hospital in Vero Beach, FL. Over the years, I gained extensive experience as a traveling, contract, and PRN therapist in various settings across the U.S. and abroad, including two particularly fulfilling positions: working with veterans with brain injuries at a VA hospital in Palo Alto, CA, and serving at the Shepherd Center, in Atlanta, GA for nearly nine years.

Following the birth of my first child, I transitioned into a school-based role with the Cobb County School District. I am also the proud owner of Specialized Therapy Solutions, LLC, where I run social skills groups and an after-school club focused on helping children (ages 5-12) build essential social skills, confidence, and positive relationships. Currently, I am developing a handwriting program to support fine motor skills and visual-motor integration. Additionally, I conduct home safety evaluations for workers’ compensation clients, assessing their home environment for safe, independent living.

With each role, I’ve been blessed to pursue my passion for helping others and find tremendous joy in supporting children’s growth and independence. My career has been a rewarding journey where I am continually inspired to make a difference in the lives of those I serve.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Being self motivated to learn more and continue to educate yourself, flexible to try new things, and be willing to do things outside of your comfort zone, and persevering to never give up on what you want even when obstacles arise.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I believe in the value of becoming well-rounded by investing effort into areas where I can grow. By strengthening skills beyond my comfort zone, I become more marketable and can showcase a broad array of abilities in my field. After working as an occupational therapist for less than a year, I began taking on contract assignments in various settings and locations. This experience expanded my skill set and made me a stronger asset to different organizations, from hospitals to private practices. The exposure to diverse environments not only boosted my confidence as a professional but also enhanced my flexibility, allowing me to thrive in any setting.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your