麻豆传媒

 

Catherine Rose Talastas

Written by Lil Crump

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MScOS graduate, Catherine Rose Talastas (Supervisor - Dr. Parisa Ghanouni).

Catherine鈥檚 experience as an occupational therapist helped her appreciate the value of occupation. The uniqueness of the experience and the meaning of doing occupation, was of particular interest to her. Even though an occupation can be similar, it can be experienced differently because the difference among people. Catherine chose to pursue a Master of Science in Occupational Science (MScOS) to develop skills that would help her unravel the intricacies of occupation.

Community Benefit

Catherine is presently studying about occupational engagement of post-secondary students self-identified with anxiety and/or depression during the pandemic. 鈥淚 want to explore their experiences of doing occupation and the changes that have transpired due to the pandemic. The perceived value and consequences of occupation are important since these provide data beyond the observable component of doing occupation.鈥 Catherine believes that insights into understanding of an individual鈥檚 experiences and their interpretation of those experiences, will contribute to the development of adequate and appropriate resources and support for the population.

Catherine鈥檚 work focuses on both the objective and subjective component of doing. Her objective is the physical observable act of doing or 鈥渨hat we see" while the subjective involves the value, meaning and interpretation of participating in an occupation or 鈥渨hat we feel/perceive鈥.

麻豆传媒鈥檚 MScOS program impressed upon Catherine that 鈥渟tudying occupation can be done by anyone and should not only be a focus of occupational therapists.鈥 Catherine also cited the program as highlighting for her the importance of interdisciplinary learning, 鈥淭he perspectives of different disciplines are important in determining the different facets which lead to a more holistic understanding of the occupation."

Why consider the MScOS Program?

For anyone considering enrolling in MScOS program Catherine offers, 鈥淪tudying occupations is a bridge to understanding and appreciating people.鈥 Catherine believes it鈥檚 time to value occupation and understand how it impacts one鈥檚 health and wellness. Studying occupations provides a gateway to understanding and appreciating the distinctness of every individual. 鈥淚t may be close to impossible to have a complete understanding of someone,鈥 Catherine admits, 鈥渂ut it is possible to be close to reaching a level of understanding enough that manifests respect and acknowledgment of the diversity among people and their experiences.鈥

See Catherine's Occupational Science Assignment.