Occupational wellness is finding balance and fulfillment in our roles as students and employees by using our skills and talents to positively impact the community where we learn and work.
It is the ability to achieve a balance between work and leisure time, addressing workplace stress and building relationships with co-workers. It focuses on our search for a calling and involves exploring various career options and finding where we fit.
What we do for a living encompasses so much of our time, so it’s important for our overall well-being to do what we love and love what we do.
According to Kolleen Woodcock, a Gannon University career adviser, “Making money is definitely part of what drives some in selecting a career path, but when you love what you do, the money is just a perk you need to enjoy your career because you do it more than 40 hours a week. It supports how you want to live your life and provides an opportunity to experience new things.”
Woodcock also said that when exploring and choosing a major, it is important to not jump right into a major especially if you are wondering if it is the right fit. It is important for students to research, explore, communicate and experience different areas that they may be interested in.
At Gannon, students can talk with a career adviser to take assessments that will help them identify how their interests, values and personality match with certain career fields. The office of Career Exploration and Development can expose a student to different career paths through shadowing experiences and connecting students to professionals within their field of interest.
Faculty members are also a great resource when considering different majors. They will be able to provide excellent advice on what it is like to be a student within their particular department, the type of courses that you need to take, discuss future career options, and identify pathways to take when choosing a specific field of interest.
Summer is a great time for students to gain exposure to their fields. Many students work part-time positions over the summer to earn an income, but holding a part-time position will also help develop leadership, teamwork and organizational skills for future endeavors.
Summer is also a great time for students to create action plans for their next years at Gannon. This can include mapping out their course schedules, looking at involvement opportunities on campus and determining what skills and experiences they still need to be exposed to that will help with future job or graduate school applications.
Erin Hart, assistant director of career exploration and development, advises students to always be prepared.
“I had a college roommate who ended up finding one of her internships by talking to a guy sitting close to her at Starbucks,” Hart said. “Always be ready and open because you never know when the next opportunity might come.”
While ensuring the career you choose is what you really want to do, don’t forget Gannon University Wellness cares for you and wishes you a great summer vacation.

Oluwapelumi Osunrayi
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