Graduating year: BKin, May 2013
Employed by: Live Well Exercise Clinic
Stream: Kinesiology
Claire joined the co-op program to gain an avenue which would allow her to take knowledge and skills from the classroom and apply it to new opportunities. She also wanted to explore other situations and develop non-academic skills. Prior to her co-op terms, Claire was deciding between graduate studies in Physiotherapy and Medicine, but as it happened, her first job was a combination of those interests.
Claire spent her time in co-op with Live Well Exercise Clinic Inc., a supervised exercise and lifestyle management program for people with chronic disease. Claire’s role in the clinic was as an Exercise Leader. It was there she learned that she greatly enjoyed work with people and got immense satisfaction from aiding in patient’s health and wellness. During her co-op terms she developed clinical skills, including: obtaining blood pressure readings, heart rate, and blood sugar counts; and writing clinical exercise prescription and providing clinical monitoring. She also learned business management and development skills from Sara Hodson, the owner of Live Well Exercise Clinic. Claire was able to work with many specialists during her work terms, because of the team approach employed by Live Well, and was also fortunate to to work with and learn from Director of Cardiology, Dr. Jiao Yang, and Medical Director and Internist, Dr. Ali Zentner.
After completing three work terms, and graduating from UBC, Claire successfully completed the requirements to become a Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP), Cancer Exercise Trainer (CET), and Canadian Diabetes Educator. Following that, she was hired by Live Well as a CEP. When the Live Well Clinic in White Rock grew beyond it’s capacity, a new branch was opened in Kerrisdale. Claire moved to the new branch starting as a CEP, and eventually became Clinic Director .
Claire’s current goals are both personal and professional. She plans to “help build Live Well into an even stronger and more successful organization that can have significant positive impact on the health and wellness of the community”. On a personal level she will take additional personal and professional development courses so that she might contribute more to the program.
Advice to Current Students: “Welcome new positions with an open mind and don’t take any position for granted, regardless of whether it’s where your passion lies. You never know what opportunities may arise through a work placement opportunity. It might be through the company that employs you, a work colleague, a contractor, someone you meet at a networking event, or even a client. Each placement offers opportunities for learning from others and provides a new climate for personal growth – make the most of it.”
