Biggest Challenges Faced by a Health and Wellness Coach at a Leading University
Jessica's biggest challenges as a Health & Wellness Coach/Extended Learning Coordinator at a large university include navigating "bureaucracy" and slow change within a large institution, as well as the instability inherent in grant-funded positions and the current underpayment of health and wellness coaches—though this is changing due to growing recognition of their impact.
Grant Writing, Healthcare, Bureaucracy, Wellness Coaching, Salary Negotiation
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jessica Elliott
Health & Wellness Coach/Extended Learning Coordinator
Leading University
California Polytechnic State University
Dominican University of California - M.S. Education / CA BLCAD teaching credential
Medical, Sciences & Related, Psychology
Coaching, Speaking & Writing, Education
Education
First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Bureaucracy and slow change in large organizations can hinder innovative ideas.
2. Grant-funded positions offer project completion but lack stability.
3. Health and wellness coaches are sometimes underpaid, although this is changing due to increased recognition of their impact and the evolution of medical insurance.
Transcript
What is your biggest challenge in your current role?
I would say four things. These are the four things.
In working with a large organization like the University of Texas, there's bureaucracy around it. Change is occurring, but it's very slow. You might feel like you have a super innovative idea, but the institution has been around for a really long time.
The downside is the grant-funded aspect. When you seek out a grant-funded position, it's great because it's a project and you're able to see the end of it and complete it. But that also means there's not a lot of stability in grant-funded positions, which can be a bit of a downer.
Oftentimes, educators and health and wellness coaches are underpaid. However, there's a massive change and movement happening because of a revolution in the medical insurance aspect of things. This is tapping into a lot of health and wellness coaches.
There's also a lot of research around the overall success that health and wellness coaches are having on the health and wellbeing of the nation and even the world. So things are changing. Right now, they're a little bit underpaid, but we'll see where that goes.