About my occupations that make up my occupational identity.

2. Swimming
I used to competitively swim for seven years at the Kaiapoi swim club. I believe
this is a big part of my occupational identity as I participated in this sport for so
long, I built relationships with the other swimmers and coaches. It was through
the act of doing that I built myself an identity around swimming as I was known
as the girl who school swum at school. By the experience of winning races and
qualifying for different events it gave me a sense of self fulfillment as I was
reaching goals and making new ones. It is still apart of my identity today through
all the memories and experiences of competing I hold as well as my love for the
water.

3. Running
Competitive running was another sport that I was involved with
from a young age. I ran for the North Canterbury running club
for six years starting at the age of eleven. This became apart of
my identity as it brought enjoyment and connection within my
family as my mother and father ran as well. Being apart of the
club created a sense of belonging especially when wearing the
club uniform as it identified which club I belonged too and made
me feel apart of the community. I also used to run for Marian
College where I represented the school at different events such
as national school cross country and road race.

4. Barkers
I have worked at barkers for the
last two summers now. I identify
with Barkers as it has helped me
to develop skills in the work
place and experience working
with a cohort of different people.
I identify it as a small community
in which I belong to through how
we look out for one another and
the friendly nature of the factory.

5. Student
I identify myself as a
student at Otago
polytechnic when I am
asked what I do. This has
been apart of my identity
for the last year and a half
and it is through studying
that contributes to what I
want to become in the
future, an occupational
therapist.

6. Flat mate
I live in a flat with four other girls
who study at the polytechnic and
university. We have become very
close this year and do most
things together such as studying,
shopping, movies and many
more. As a flat we have learned to
live with each other by
understanding one another and
getting to know how we do
certain occupations differently.
As a flat we support and look out
for one another like a family,
which has become meaningful to
me and shaped my occupational
role as a flat mate.

7. Sketching
I have been sketching and
involved with different degrees of
art since I can remember. I find
drawing is very therapeutic and
helps me to wind down. It has
become very meaningful to me
over the past few years as my
passion for it has increased with
my ability. It is apart of my
occupational identity as I like to
draw things I identify with and
are purposeful to me.

8. Sister
Through my
relationship and role as
a big sister it has
become apart of my
occupational identity.
My sister and I are very
close and have been all
our lives. Being a sister
for the last 17 years has
taught me to look out
for others and support
them in their times of
need. We have had a lot
of experiences together
which have shaped my
sense of self and who I
am today. This role
holds a lot of meaning
to me through
memories I share with
Emma and how she
views me as a big sister.

9. Daughter
Being a daughter is apart of my
occupational identity through my
mum and dad. This occupation is
apart of my sense of self as it is
through belonging to a family that
has shaped and developed my
beliefs and values.

10. Social netball
I play social netball on Tuesday nights
with my flat mates and our neighbours.
We play at the smithels gym against
many other teams. Being in the team
gives me a sense of belonging as they
rely on me to participate and do my
part as a player. It also gives me a sense
of confidence and self worth as my
team mates encourage me throughout
the game. Belonging to a team gives me
a sense of identity as I am apart of an
occupation that is meaningful to me
and others.

11. Pet owner
My family have owned pets my
whole life so I have grown up
being an animal lover. My dog
Max has been in my life since I
was eight years old and I view
him as a big part of my family
and my own identity. Looking
after Max has taught me to take
responsibility for someone else
and given me a more nurturing
nature.

12. References:
North Canterbury athletics club (online image). (2009).
Retrieved May 26, 2015 from
http://www.sportsground.co.nz/northcantathletics
Barkers fruit processing (online image). (2011). Retrieved
May 25, 2015 from http://www.barkers.co.nz/