ISSUE 04 VOLUME 09
Q&A
THE CAREER
JUST ASK
Questions answered by: Omar Zia, B.Sc., B.ED., M.Ed., OCT, High School Principal
CHRONICLES
1. I take on too many projects/goals, but when I cut down on them, I feel like I am not doing enough with my life. How do I find a balance where I can do enough quality work without experiencing burnout?
Of the elements that define a Muslim, “Sadaqa” or “Giving” is a cornerstone. We perform selfless acts of kindness and goodness while making a difference in the lives of others and enhancing our own lives. Sadaqa can be addictive, and so, in this pursuit, it is easy to have an “overflowing plate” that can hinder the completion of projects, cause feelings of stress, and, eventually, lead to burnout. In the Qur’an, we are taught “And give full measure when you measure and weigh with an even balance. That is the best way to produce the 1 most advantageous result.” This verse reminds us that in our pursuit to achieve the most, we must be just to ourselves and those around us. By taking on too much, we will not be just in fulfilling our goals.
Now, the question is, “how?” First, choose a framework for goal setting, such as school, work, family, Islam, and community. Then, stick to a maximum of 1 goal or project per area at any given time. Second, prioritize them in order of what is essential—what is needed, rather than wanted. Third, assign a timeline to the completion of these goals and do not engage in others until the previous has been achieved. Rather than keeping an open plate that can easily overflow, keep a portioned plate. 2
Let us be mindful of what the Prophet (PBUH ) advised us: “Do good deeds properly, sincerely, and moderately and know that the most beloved 3 deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even if it were little.”
2. I try my hardest not to hurt people but I somehow end up doing so with my words. What should I do to change? How can I control it? What emanates from our tongues can be helpful— and harmful. Thank you for taking the first step to recognize this. In a hadith, the Prophet (PBUH) advises his companion to be careful of his speech because it is our speech that paves the path to an unsuccessful end. 4 He also teaches us to speak 5 only good words or to be silent. As such, we need to think before we speak and ask ourselves “is what I want to say harmful or helpful?” Allah commands us to be mindful of our duty to Him, and when we speak, we must speak in a manner that is respectful, upholds the integrity of others, encourages others, brings out the best in the person we are speaking with—that we should be known as people who speak goodness to others, even in admonishment. 4 | JUST ASK
We should reflect on our words and conversations. We can ask, “If someone spoke to me in this manner, how would I feel?” If we are in the habit of causing upset through our words, then perhaps writing them down before speaking would be helpful. We could also practice being silent rather than speaking reactively and regretting it. The central principle is practicing patience; being patient towards others by remaining silent and not overly critical, by choosing to not argue or debate, by validating a person rather than constantly being in opposition, and by thinking quietly about a kind response before speaking. 1 Chapter 17, Verse 35 2 Pbuh: peace be upon him 3 Sahih Bukhari
4 Sunan at-Tirmidhi 5 Sahih Bukhari
About the interviewee: Khadija Bounekhla is a trailblazer in the field of Pediatric Occupational Therapy. She currently works at ErinOakKids to support students across 15 schools. Here, she gives us a fresh take on resiliency and the rehabilitation sciences. Q: Tell us about your journey into Occupational Therapy. Like many people coming out of high school, I thought ‘Oh, med school,’ and I went into the Life Sciences program at UofT. In undergrad, I became interested in other things, so I majored in Physiology and Psychology. I was introduced to the field through my now husband. His sisters were in SpeechLanguage Pathology and Physiotherapy, and another sister was applying to Occupational Therapy (OT). It was perchance that I heard about the rehab sciences. Going into fourth year, I thought, “why not try the rehabilitation sciences?” But I did not know exactly which program I wanted to do. I was lost. I applied to all the programs, and one of the places I applied to was OT school. I did not get in, but I did get admission into a Master’s in Developmental Psychology. Halfway through this program, I applied again to OT school, and this time, I got in.
Q: What does your day look like as an Occupational Therapist? I work at ErinOakKids, which is the largest children’s treatment centre, as a school-based therapist. Any kid that needs OT support gets referred to me. Some kids need wheelchairs, or the staff needs training to transfer kids to the washroom or change tables. If a child has low muscle tone due to cerebral palsy and the class is doing circle time, I prescribe equipment for them. The school board pays for that. There are also behavioural referrals or sensory referrals. For example, for kids with autism, I might prescribe a chair that provides dynamic movement so they can get the activity they need. Another need is fine motor skills if kids have difficulty writing. The goal is to give kids access to classrooms.
Q: How do you balance the personal and professional? I had my son, Ilyas, while I was in OT school because I thought I would take a break from school until the baby was grown up. But it worked out because Covid hit and everything became virtual. It was hard, but I had a lot of family support. My mom was my neighbour and she could take care of Ilyas while I was doing my placement. In OT school, you can work in private practice and have a flexible schedule. You can choose your hours and the number of kids you see. Because it is private practice, you get paid more per hour. After some time, I felt the need for more mentorship than independent work, so, I applied to ErinOaks.
Q: Do you have any advice for students? The year before applying, I became more involved in the OT department through a work-study. I started speaking to some professors and making more connections. I also made a list of all the programs related to medicine and the pros and cons of each profession. It was also helpful to know people in the field. I think the biggest motivator was that my husband’s sisters could have kids and also work. If I could go back, I would tell myself: “Don’t be afraid to take a year off to volunteer, research, or work in a related field instead of doing a Master’s program you’re not sure about. Figure out what you want to do.” Interviewer: Saamiyah Ali-Mohammed HBSc, MPH, MSW(c) Community Health & Education Specialist, CAMH THE CAREER CHRONICLES | 5
