Laura identifies several occupations that are central to her occupational identity, including motorbike riding, farming, rugby, family/friend relationships, being a student, snow sports, her Christian faith, netball, camping, and working with people. Many of these occupations have strong family connections and roots. Laura finds occupational satisfaction and meaning through her participation in these various activities.

1. Laura’s
Occupational
Identity
Laura Weir
Occupational Science
Component 1
Part 2

2. Motorbike Riding
From a young age I have enjoyed and participated in the occupation of
motorbike riding. To me motor biking provides relaxation, is a way to blow of
steam, it is a way to challenge myself and it provides enjoyment. It is very
important to me as it is an occupation that has strong family connections. My
strong involvement in the sport comes from my dad who has done well in the sport
and holds New Zealand records in flat track speedway. Dad started the Dansey's
pass trail ride as a fund raiser for my primary school , where our whole family got
fully involved. This is now the biggest single day trail ride event in the southern
hemisphere.
My siblings and I have grown up
being taught by Dad the many
different skills needed to
participate in this sport, Dads
Love and passion for motorbike
riding has definitely been
passed down through the
family and hopefully passed
down through generations to
come. It is part of my
Occupational identity as it is a
main occupation of mine.

3. Farming
Farming Is part of my occupational Identity as I have grown up working and living
on a farm, it is where my family and I have a strong Occupational connection as
my family has a long history in farming. Our home farm in Duntroon is where I go
back to during my holidays and weekends and help out. Farming for me mainly
involves caring for my pets, cattle work, fencing, tractor work, general
maintenance, and calving. Farming has influenced my huge love for animals and
also my hopes for the future as an OT, with the possible idea of tying my love for
both the farming culture, and animals into my OT career. It will always be a huge
part of my life and has shaped who I am as a country girl at heart. I love the farm
life and will hopefully be forever surrounded by it.

4. Rugby
Rugby at the moment is a past, present and hopefully future occupation. The love of not only
watching rugby- which brings back many memories of getting up at 2.00 o'clock in the
morning with Dad to watch the All blacks games, but also playing for a variety of different
teams socially and competitively including Waitaki Girls high school XV, south Canterbury and
North Otago teams in touch and tackle rugby. This has meant that rugby is a central part of
who I am as an Occupational being. The positions I am most familiar with are half back and
wing. Studying has meant I have not been able to pursue this sport as much as I would have
liked, and I have definitely found that only being able to watch the game gives me a Sense of
loss. This loss gives Me a large drive to get back
into the game. It
provides me huge
Occupational
satisfaction. Through
the hard work put into
my rugby, my
occupational identity
through it has become
greater. I definitely
define Rugby as a huge
part of my
Occupational Identity.

5. Family/ Friends
My role as a family member and friend are very important to me, I
maintain these relationships by doing activities with my family and
friends, keeping in contact with them and helping them when they are
in need. These relationships provide me with a sense of belonging and
Meaning in my life.
They are
entwined as I feel
they are both very
similar relationships
I hold.
I love being around
people, So would
feel very lost
without these
relationship's.

6. Student
Being a student is a large part of my occupational identity at the
moment, I have been a student for most of my life from Duntroon
Primary School to Waitaki Girls High School. Currently being a student at
Otago Polytechnic, my role involves study, placements, attending class
and also socialising with my peers. Being an Occupational Therapy
student at Otago polytechnic is not only teaching me to be an
Occupational Therapist, but is teaching me many life skills along the
way, through the different challenges I face and experiences I undergo.
It is helping to shape my future and present identity.

7. Snow Sports (Boarding &
Skiing)
Snow Sports including snow boarding and skiing is an occupation
that I have been involved
In since I was a child.
It is a family occupation and
is something I really enjoy
and look forward to every
winter. I started off skiing at the age of
4 but as I got older started to look for
something more challenging, so
changed to snow boarding at the age of
16. The main ski fields I have and
still do carry out
this occupation out at are
Cadrona and Coronet peek. I find it a
Calming occupation, which also
never fails to provide me with a
new challenge.

8. Christian Faith
Part of my Occupational identity is being a Christian. This involves many
occupations, for example going to church, bible study, work as a youth
leader, camps and festivals such as parachute music festival. This faith
shapes many morals and beliefs I hold and a huge part of it includes
many close friends and family.

9. Netball
Netball is a past, present and hopefully future occupation I participate in. It
influenced my love for sport from a young age I started playing at the age of 5, it has
taught me how important team work,
perseverance and healthy competition is to
me. The positions I mainly play are centre,
wing defence and wing attack which have
been my most preferred and suited positions
from a young age. I have strong memories
from tournaments, netball competitions and
interschool's. Through being a captain,
coach and team member I have learnt
many leadership and team work skills which I
believe are some of the most important life skills
needed to be successful. The adrenaline
and satisfaction from a game of netball is
huge and influences me to continue this sport.
Netball is part of my identity.

10. CampingGrowing up in a family who loves the out doors, I have grown up camping at Glendu
Bay and presently at the Waitaki Valley lakes during many holidays, this has allowed
me to participate and grow in my love of many things intertwined with camping such
as water sports, including water skiing, wake Boarding, biscuiting, Knee-boarding and
Barefooting. These Water sports have been drummed into me from a young age as
my Dad is a very keen bare foot water skier. Other occupations involved with
camping include tramping, boating, fishing and the
general camping
experience. I still go
Camping every
Summer holidays and
Intend to do it in the
Future. It is important to
my occupational identity
as without it I would not
have the opportunity to
develop these many new
skills.

11. Working with People
I Have worked with a variety of
different people including elderly,
as a career and activities facilitator in a
rest home over my
holidays, as a support worker
for youth in south Dunedin, as a Nanny
for young children and also as a volunteer
At children's Programmes during
the school holidays. These roles have
shaped me and Influenced me to study
a future career in working closely
with people. By doing this I am
provided with occupational satisfaction.
I have a love For working and helping
people and class It as a huge part
of my occupational identity.