Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Health and Wellness Coaches
Jessica highlights that a public health degree can lead to board certification as a coach, allowing for immediate entry-level coaching positions. Instead of focusing on specific entry-level titles, Jessica emphasizes transferable skills and connecting personal passions—such as sustainability or wellness—to desired sectors, advising to "follow the skills that you have and the things you want to do," mirroring their own career journey.
Career Exploration, Job Search Strategies, Transferable Skills, Networking, Professional Development
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. Entry-level positions in health and wellness coaching can be accessed through undergraduate public health programs that offer coaching certifications, allowing students to become board-certified coaches.
2. The skills gained in various entry-level jobs are transferable to the health and wellness field, and individuals can leverage their existing skills to transition into this sector.
3. Networking through Cal Poly connections, attending conferences, and following industry professionals on social media can help students identify relevant companies and potential job opportunities. The path to a career isn't linear; focus on your skills and how you can apply them to serve others in the field of health and wellness
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
Oh man. The interesting thing is there are a lot of programs where you can get a degree in public health. Within that program, you can get certified as a coach to then sit for the board examination. So that can all happen within your undergraduate degree.
In terms of entry-level positions, you can be a coach right out the gate. You can be a board-certified coach. So you can start way back during your college years and early on.
There's no linear path to where you want to go. When you think about positions, don't necessarily think about one specific role. I'm coaching an individual right now who's in her early twenties. She was in banking fresh out of college and realized she didn't want to be there anymore.
She didn't want to go back to school to study something else. From this experience, she knows her skills are transferable to other industries. She's also practicing how to connect what she's doing now at her job to the sectors she wants to move into. For her, it's sustainability, climate, and wellness, all in relation to tech.
I can't necessarily say, "Hey, there's this entry-level X, Y, and Z." But I think connections have been a great way to build relatability. Having conversations, going to conferences, reading something, or following someone on social media are all valuable.
See what they're doing, see if they are collaborating with a company. Bookmark that company, visit it, and see if they're hiring. It's less about specific careers and more about following the skills you have and the things you want to do.
I knew I didn't want to be a classroom teacher for the rest of my life. But I knew I wanted to work with humans and have more freedom and flexibility to support people in improving their lives. That's how I ended up here. I didn't end up saying, "This is the career I want." I ended up asking, "Who am I? How can I connect? How can I serve?" And here I am.