As part of the Faculty of Medicine’s back-to-school series, we sat down with three of our incoming MOT students — Darren Wiebe, Hina Mahmood, and Kirsty Cameron — to talk about their interest in pursuing a career in occupational therapy, what excites them about the upcoming year, and where they see themselves in five years from now.
Darren Wiebe – Class of 2016
Hometown: Fort Langley, B.C
What sparked your interest in pursuing a career in occupational therapy? Why OT?
I have known for a long time that I wanted to work in a medically related field, but it wasn’t until I was exposed to the world of psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) in mental health that I could confirm my desire to pursue a career in occupational therapy. Occupational therapy utilizes a person-centered approach, offering holistic care as a means to enable individuals to engage in their life long journey of health and wellness; all of this is done while empowering individuals to pursue their passions in creative ways. I believe in the philosophy and practice of occupational therapy and I want to be a part of this in a greater and more skilled way.
What excites you the most about the coming year?
The thought that my anxieties about the coming year might turn into excitement, well, that kind of excites me. No, to be honest, I have had the great privilege to work within the mental health field, learning first hand from both those with lived experience as well from a great diverse network of colleagues and professionals; I am thrilled to have the opportunity to study even further under a team of premier academic minds at one of the best universities in Canada. I am excitingly looking forward to taking what I learn in class back into the community and applying these new skills within practicum settings. Furthermore, I anticipate my continuous engagement in PSR BC and hope to be able to assist in the development of a new Canadian Psychosocial Rehabilitation textbook. I have dreamt about a career in Occupational Therapy now for a very long time…I am beyond excited about everything coming my way.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
The Lower Mainland has become home for me, and though I would love to do some short term trips oversees to work with individuals affected by traumatic experiences due to natural disaster, war and occupational apartheid, ultimately, I could see myself fitting right back into a mental health setting; perhaps in early psychosis intervention and most certainly within the realm of psychosocial rehabilitation. The sky is the limit though; I’m excited for any new challenge that may present itself, regardless the specialty.
If you had to choose between the following options, what would be your preference?
Bones or muscles? I’ve never been known for my muscles, nor have I ever been said to be “skin and bones,” this is a tough question, but I’m going to have to say muscles, because without them many coastal fisherman would go hungry.
Sweet or sour? Am I describing my character preference or food preference? I guess it doesn’t really matter because either way, it’s sweet all the way.
PC or Mac? It’s like comparing President’s Choice to Whole Foods… both have the goods to satisfy your hunger and meet your needs, one just happens to do it organically and without pesticides, yet you pay a premium.
(I think I might be hungry, I’ve just directed these last three questions towards food.)
Stay in or go out? I love both, and both are made even better when quality time is spent with a good friend, in which case it doesn’t matter whether I stay in or go out.
iPhone or iPod? IPhone, it’s what I would buy my 2 month old niece to keep her entertained (if I had a niece). I lie, I wouldn’t buy an iPhone for my niece, such a device is likely the tool that is preventing me from ever getting a niece (If my siblings are reading this I might suggest you turn off “Angry Birds” and try one of the following real apps: “Love Birds” or “The Birds and the Bees!” I want a niece…and a new iPhone.
Dinosaurs or robots? Didn’t I just answer this in the last question? On a serious note: so much potential for robotics in the world of Occupational Therapy (but then again, the same could have been said of the Jurassic period).
1960s or 1980s? Tough question! My parents grew up in the 60s, without them, I wouldn’t have been born in the 80s. I’m going to say the 60s, because I genuinely wouldn’t be answering this fun quiz without the support of (what I think are) the most valuable byproducts of that era, Wes and Margie Wiebe. Thank you 60s and thank you Mom and Dad for all that you do to enable me to pursue my dreams.
Hina Mahmood – Class of 2016
Hometown: Surrey, B.C.
What sparked your interest in pursuing a career in occupational therapy? Why OT?
Occupational therapy is such a client-centered and dynamic discipline that connects with people on an individual level and helps them achieve their personal goals. OT allows for innovation and creative thought and provides therapists the ability to explore and experiment, which allows them to truly customize their therapy plan for each client’s needs.
What excites you the most about the coming year?
Having the opportunity to finally go after my dream is what excites me most. I am looking forward to living in Kitsilano and embracing the experiences of a new environment and I am very excited to get to know my fellow MOT classmates and to starting this journey with them. I love the supportive system the Department of Occupational Therapy has created for incoming students, creating a healthy balance between work, study and fun.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself working as a pediatric occupational therapist. I have a love of working with kids and teens, and would like to focus on clients who have special needs (Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Autism). I would also like to be involved in research and contribute to the continuing innovation of occupational therapy.
If you had to choose between the following options, what would be your preference?
Bones or muscles? As an Occupational Therapy student, I know better than to choose just one. Both are equally important since they work in tandem. I have always found the musculoskeletal system fascinating especially how so many multiple components work together like a well-oiled machine to produce something as simple as lifting your leg.
Sweet or sour? I have always been a fan of tart/sour! Everything from blueberries and apples to sour patch kids and lemonade. However, spicy trumps both sweet and sour.
PC or Mac? I am a reformed Mac user. I fought it for years, but finally gave in and never looked back. It’s a great tool that allows me to do anything from multimedia / photo projects to documents and spreadsheet projects.
Stay in or go out? More often than not, I like to stay in. However since I am moving to Kitsilano soon, going out is definitely a more enticing option.
iPhone or iPod? I am a big iPhone supporter! It is a great user friendly smart phone that allows me to listen to my massive music list, while spending time on social media and reading emails all at the same time. Asking strange requests of Siri is also a fun pastime.
Dinosaurs or robots? Dinosaurs all the way! Their sheer size and magnificence wins out in the end. They were unlike anything else we have as an animal species on Earth, and although we can learn a lot from archaeologists digging up their fossils, there is still a lot of mystery revolving them.
1960s or 1980s? I have to pick the 1960s specifically for the incredible social changes and innovative cultural trends that took place and continue to shape and be relevant to our society today. Everything from the civil rights movement, and the rise of protest and activism to the Beatles and Andy Warhol – just some of the key turning points of this decade.
Kirsty Cameron – Class of 2016
Hometown:Glenrothes, Scotland & Cambridge, ON
What sparked your interest in pursuing a career in occupational therapy? Why OT?
My interest in OT was sparked by the realization that a profession existed which would allow me to interact with people holistically – engaging their bodies, minds and imagined selves together without the unnecessary, and sometimes damaging, distinction between these ways of being. Sounds great – count me in! I feel as though the diverse, and fairly disparate, spread of things I’m good at will all be useful in such a broad field and, most of all, the idea of inspiring people with their own capacities and potential sounds like a fantasy I can’t wait to live daily.
What excites you the most about the coming year?
I’m most excited to meet, and learn from, my fellow students and future colleagues. My undergraduate degree is in English Literature while the majority of Occupational Therapy students tend to come from Psychology or Kinesiology backgrounds. Things that may be tediously familiar to my classmates might be brand new to me and I’m going to have a classroom of potential subject experts to help resource me.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In 5 years I imagine I’ll be living internationally with my partner, using my Occupational Therapy practice to deepen my understanding of how beautifully unique everyone’s experience of being alive is. If I’m really lucky this will have informed a fulfilling and successful creative writing practice as well.
If you had to choose between the following options, what would be your preference?
Bones or muscles? Muscles
Sweet or sour? Sour
PC or Mac? Mac
Stay in or go out? Go out
iPhone or iPod? iPod
Dinosaurs or robots? Robots
1960s or 1980s? 1980s
Are you interested in being profiled as part of the Faculty of Medicine’s back-to-school series? Send Kerry Blackadar, communications coordinator, your answers to the above questions, as well as a photo of yourself, by September 15, 2014.