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The term occupation refers to the meaningful activities of our daily lives. The activities we select as occupations in our lives are based on our values, beliefs, needs, and desires. Contexts influence how we perform these occupations. Contexts can be external factors such as place or thing, or can come from within ourselves such as our age and culture. We also perform occupations within various roles in our lives. A person can be a brother, son, father, husband, basketball player, neighbor, teacher, and carpenter in their life roles. Collectively occupations, contexts, and roles make up our daily lives. Imagine being unable to engage in occupations. Be it with individuals or groups, occupational therapy practitioners help people develop or restore their abilities to engage in meaningful occupations, within chosen life roles and contexts.
The occupational therapy program at Sacramento City College prepares students for employment as an occupational therapy assistant. Occupational therapy assistants work with people of all ages who, because of physical, cognitive, developmental, social, or emotional problems, need specialized assistance in order to lead an independent, productive, and satisfying life. They may work in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, school systems, psychiatric hospitals and private practice outpatient clinics.