1. 1. My Occupational Identity Orla Mckennon
2. 2. Travel Travel is an occupation that I really enjoy. I believe that it is an important part of my occupational identity as it is something that often influences the decisions I make in life. Choosing Occupational Therapy as a career was partly influenced by my love of travel as I know it is a great job to travel with as there are often job opportunities available overseas. The following picture is of me in Belfast, Ireland at the ship dock where the Titanic was built.
3. 3. Sewing Sewing is a skill I learned from a young age and it has become very useful throughout my life. To many they see me as a sewer and frequently are sewing friends and families clothes, it has become a useful skill for me and my friends and family. The following picture is of my sewing kit, I have had it since I was seven and it has growen significantly.
4. 4. Family Family is extremely important to me, I value my family a lot and believe that this is an important aspect of my occupational identity. The following picture is of me, my older sister Kate, my younger brother Andre and our youngest sibling Dakota.
5. 5. Field Hockey I have played field hockey since I have been eleven starting at intermediate and continuing on into high school. The following picture is of a team mate at the game we won the regional championship in 2009.
6. 6. Makeup Makeup is a real passion of mine and for a long time I considered pursuing a career in makeup artistry. I am lucky enough now that I can pursue a career in Occupational Therapy and still do some free lance makeup work on friends and family on the side. The following picture is of some of my overly large makeup collection.
7. 7. Cooking Cooking is a big thing in my family and I have grown up eating quite different food to the norm in New Zealand as my mum is Irish and dad South African/Indian so I ate some great food I learnt to cook from a young age and always to cook from scratch using fresh spices and herbs. The following picture is of my favourite traditional Indian sweet rasmalai.
8. 8. Bachelor of Occupational Therapy My mother is an Occupational Therapist so from quite a age I understood what the job is and involves and by the age of thirteen I was sure that it was what I wanted to as a career Occupational Therapy as a job involves a lot of the beliefs and values I also hold important to myself and involves a lot of creative, practical and problem solving, work which I enjoy. Studying to gain my Bachelor in Occupational Therapy has been very enjoyable and cemented that this is what I want to do as a career. The following picture illustrates how Occupational Therapists can help people.
9. 9. Cleaning Some people find it strange that I really enjoy cleaning, I find it relaxing and I feel very accomplished when I'm finished. I have had many cleaning jobs in motels and so far they are the jobs I enjoy the most, second to Occupational Therapy. The following picture is of the motel I worked at in Nelson.
10. 10. Jade and Bone Carving I began carving in 2009 when I did my first bone carving in Nelson, I completed my first jade carving in Hokitika in 2011. I thoroughly enjoy carving and continue to pursue it now, I plan on getting my own bone carving set up at home so I can do it myself and hopefully sell them a local markets. The following picture is of my first jade carving done for my mum.
11. 11. Art I studied art history, art design and painting at high school. I really enjoy knowing the history and technique behind artists and their paintings. The following picture is of a favourtie painting of mine by Masaccio an Italian renaissance painter called The Tribute Money.
12. 12. References Barnes, E. (2008). Tasman claims early honors [Online image]. Retrieved from http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson- mail/sport/380728/Tasman-claims-early-honours Rasmalai [Online image]. Retrieved from http://www.kingpitaandrice.com/food/rasmalai- indian-cheesecake/#sthash.pFpgwzhf.dpbs Masaccio. [Online image]. Retrieved from http://www.paradoxplace.com/Perspectives/Italian %20Images/Montages/Firenze/Brancacci%20Cha pel.htm