Emma identifies several occupations that shape her identity, including being a family member, Otago student, friend, traveler, student studying to become an occupational therapist, flatmate, cook, athlete, paid employee, and watersports enthusiast. Many of these roles have provided her with a sense of belonging, experiences, personal growth, and lifelong friends. Activities like traveling, studying, flatting, cooking, exercise, sports, and paid work have all helped form who she is today.

1. My Occupational Identity
Emma Booth

2. Family member
Being the oldest daughter and grand-
daughter on my mum’s side gives me specific
roles that I value. Knowing that I have a sense
of belonging not only within my immediate
family but extended family also, it assures me
that I always have a supportive family to go
back to.

3. Otago Student/Scarfie
With being in Dunedin for the 3rd year
now, I have tried to embrace all aspects
around the ‘scarfie’ life. It has become
who I am, and makes up what I do and
the decisions I make at this present time
in my life. I have embraced various ‘O’
week activities over the 3 years and have
made life long friends through flatting
and socializing. I have also gained roles
within these.

4. Friend
From gaining friends through travelling, polytechnic, flatting,
socializing I value friendships that I have gained and I constantly try
and find time to spend with them. With having the ‘21st’ season this
coming year, it is important at this time to reflect on the last 21 years
and the values that you have gained with your friends and what you
have learnt over those years.

5. Travelling
Through travelling to over 20 countries world
wide, I have learn about the different cultures
that each and every one of those countries
hold. The opportunities that were offered to
me, have shaped my occupational identity
today and the occupational being I am today. I
also felt a sense of belonging with the ‘gap
student community’ as I was apart of this for
one year in wales. I gained friends,
experiences and memories that I will never
forget. I plan to carry on this occupation
following my studies and see more countries
and experience more cultures.

6. Study
Photo retrieved from: http://studyprof.com/blog/2008/10/27/whats-the-best-way-to-study-when-i-have-several-tests-in-the-same-week/
Study has been a big part of my life especially the last 3 years with studying to
become an Occupational Therapist. Last year I also completed a certificate in
Personal Training. From studying these two occupations, it has given me
something to work towards as well as shapes who I am today.

7. Flatting
As this is my second year flatting, I have learnt
about how to live with a mixture of people
and their values around certain aspects of life.
I am always learning new things from my ‘flat
mates’ and we are always sharing experiences
and knowledge. Learning to adjust to different
environments has shaped my occupational
identity as it is not a easy task.

8. Cooking
Cooking is more of a hobby for me as I
love creating and experimenting with
foods. I have been brought up around
doing this with my Mum and Nan and has
been imbedded into who I am today and
how I utilize my time in the kitchen. It is a
part of my culture and is something that I
will hold my whole life as it is a
occupation that I participate in most days.

9. Throughout my whole life, I have always
enjoyed exercising, fitness in general
and sport, whether it is just going to the
gym or playing a team sport. It shapes
who I am today as without this I
wouldn’t have something to look
forward to in a day or something to
physically work towards. Through
exercise and sport, I have gained a wide
range of friends which has provided me
with a variety of opportunities, this
included travelling and learning other
peoples values around exercise and
sport and their culture. I have also
gained a wider understanding of
teamwork and the meaning of this
when competing in a sport. It is an
occupation that I will no doubt carry on
throughout my life.
Exercise and Sport

10. Paid employment
While being at school, travelling and university I have held various jobs. This has allowed me to gain a strong
work ethic, how to conduct myself in a professional manner and learn the responsibilities around up holding a
job. Having a job is a part of who I am and what I have grown up with as it has taught me to financially support
myself while being away from home. It also means being part of a team and learning how to work within one.

11. Watersports
Watersports is an occupation I tremendously
enjoy. Even though it is only a summer sport and I
do not get to go boating very often, when I get the
chance I love having fun out on the water with
different equipment that is towed behind the
boat. From a young age, Dad has always been
encouraging me to ski, wakeboard and knee board.
As well as enjoying being adventurous and daring
on the water, it gives us time to spend together
that we may not get if we were doing another type
of sport. It has constructed my identity as it has
pushed me to go outside of my comfort zone while
being taught with someone who has a great deal
of knowledge. It is a very rewarding occupation
knowing that you have done some sort of activity
while being at the beach as well as satisfying that
you can actually do it!

12. References
• Photo retrieved from: http://studyprof.com/blog/2008/10/27/whats-the-best-way-to-study-when-i-have-several-tests-in-the-same-week/