MY OCCUPATIONAL IDENTITY

Component 1Part 2

Lydia Rowlandson

Tramping.Ever since I was 5 years old, I have been exposed to a lot of bush walks and tramping. My mum has always pushed us to get out to experiences nature instead of being held down by the new technology generation. Abrahams (2008) explained that not only does engagement in activity influence a person’s occupational identity, but that ones values and beliefs influence the occupational choices that he or she makes.Tramping has defiantly influenced me as an individual as it is something I crave to do on a monthly basis weather it is a short walk up signal hill to a tramp up to Mount Aspiring flats. I believe that this occupation contributes to my identity as it has shaped my perspective towards New Zealand nature and bush in the way that I am a ‘clean green kiwi’ and I like to be identified as fit. I not only am passionate about tramping because of the nature but because of that satisfaction it brings me.

Skiing

Christiansen et al (2015) states that identity is….. “generated from ones history of participation”.

Skiing contributes to who I am as a person as it has been apart of my yearly routine throughout my life. I started this occupation at 5 years old and have continually made efforts to keep it up by making snow holiday plans. It is something that me and my family hold as a significant memory from our childhood and my parents life which is why skiing makes up who I am. It has been held as great importance to my family, as this time of year is when we all come together.

WaterskiingMy parents have luckily brought me up in a way to be exposed to the outdoors. This has naturally influenced me as a individual to have the attitude (especially with water) to give everything a try. As apart of growing up also- we always go to lake trips which include a lot of boating. Waterskiing is a summer seasonal occupation that also contributes to my identity as it is a yearly event that evolved from my childhood which I continue to do today and encourage myloved ones to always give it a gotoo. I look forward to when IWill be doing it next whichoverall demonstrates what it means to me which also shapeswho I am.

SurfingThis is a occupation that I have more recently picked up in 2012. Seeing as the water evokes my interest, and is apart of who I am I decided that I would give surfing a go. It produces a seeking sensation of specific information with my interests on history, surfers technique and about the weather as the surrounding environment. Surfing makes up my occupational identity as I see my self as being outdoorsy and fit who enjoys doing. I feel as though it now is apart of who I am seeing as I have grown a passion for it in a way that I never did when I was younger. This overall contributes to me becoming a fitter person in the future which Is what I want to be identified in the future.

Netball.Netball has been a occupation that I have been involved in since my childhood at primary schools. I have memories from tournaments to being captain of senior one team at high school. Growing up it was apart of my weekly routine with practices, fundraisers and games which brought great enjoyment in myself.By belonging to a team every year it brings a sense of pleasure and satisfaction as I know thatthe co-operation that Ibring to the court has aneffect with how theteam performs. I learnt how to work as a team and how to be a leader which is a importantaspect in everyday life.this therefore has animpact on who I am andhow It as added to myidentity today.

Waterpolo

This is the occupation that I have taken most seriously in my past. I belonged to 3 teams at one time including a club where we came 1st place at national 2 years in a row. My time was dedicated to trainings, fundraisers, games, travel and dozens of tournaments every year. I also had a vise captain role at one point in addition to coaching younger ones. My passion at the time was profoundly high which lead to me continuing to play Waterpolo in the past two years as I simply just cannot live without it. In saying all this, Waterpolo has shaped who I am today in the respect that I now have the skills of a leader, the motivation for water sports and that I have a competitive side. It also adds to my identity as it shows that I am a fit person. I would not be the same person without it which therefore is how it contributes to my identity.

NannyingNanning is a more productive occupation that I hold in the respect that not only enjoy it but because it is a job where I can earn money at the same time. I have done it since I was 14 and still occasionally do it today. Over the years people have recognized that I am a valuable babysitter and have managed to pick up a lot of contacts along the way though recommendations. Nanning holds a special place within my identity because it is a occupation that has influenced me to aspire to be a role model to the kids I babysit for. I enjoy spending time with them and teaching them things that my mother would have done to me. It is only a bonus that I get paid for it. Looking after kids has therefore adds to my identity as It is something I enjoy and like to be known as a role model in future references.

BaristaBeing a barista is a part time job for me that is also a productive occupation. Over the summer I make coffee 5 days a week which involves skills previously learnt. There is a whole coffee culture out there these days and there is always a required person at each store who has to have the experience to do this. Coffee making is a new passion that has evolved which I can use and take to other locations in this country or even over the world. This occupation is apart of what I enjoy, do in a routine, and have a passion for which demonstrates that it is apart of who I am. This is a picture of me at my work in Auckland.

CanteenI am a member of canteen which is a huge apart of my life. People who become apart of canteen either has to be a patient, sibling or bereaved member. In my case I am a sibling member. I hold a role as vise president at canteen which includes meetings weekly, fundraising and ideas and support system. Canteen provides me with leadership programmes, therapeutic emotional programmes to a family that I can relate to in many ways. Relationships are created every week and the more I go the more I realize that this member run organisation is possible one of the greatest experience I havehad yet growing up.Canteen is very muchabout who I am,who I want to be andwhat I aspire to be.This therefore is a huge part of my identity.

TravellingTravelling to me is characterized under an occupation, as this takes time, skills and thought into where you go, what you do and what you aim to get out of it. I have had a taster of traveling and have visited over 10 countries on in which South America was my favorite. I believe that travels shaped and adds to ones identity from the knowledge you learn upon the way and fromnew cultures that you are exposed to.This is a picture of me on the Amazon river, whichwas a special moment in my lifetime.I enjoyed getting to knowthe South American culture as I believe it influenced who I am in a good way as it developed my widerunderstanding of the wider world which overall develops me into more of an interesting person. This justifies why I believethat this occupation of traveling to South America has added to my identity because of the knowledge I have gained and because i want to be identifiedby someone who enjoys travelling.

References

Christiansen, C., Baum, C., & Bass, J. (2015).Occupational therapy performance participation and well-being. (4th Ed.) Thorofare, NJ: SLACK Incorporated.

Abrahams, T. (2008). Occupation, identity and choice: a dyndamic interaction. Journal of Occupational Science. 15(3), 186-89