Health educators working in corporate wellness inspire healthy living and provide employees with more incentive to stay with a company. These experts can also save companies money by proactively preventing work accidents and medical conditions. Their wellness initiatives can involve anything from offering medical assessments at work to earning vacations through weight loss competitions.
What are the Duties of a Corporate Wellness Professional?
Corporate wellness professionals work on-site with companies. They work by meeting with employees directly in their work environment; they are always expected to instill positive habits that have lasting effects on workplace health. Note that corporate wellness jobs are mostly ideal for individuals who are interested in healthcare and helping others, but enjoy the structured life of corporate America.
However, note every corporate wellness job is the same. Some bigger corporate companies tend to employ one or more corporate wellness professionals to serve their workers in-house; while smaller businesses don’t necessarily have enough money or employees to justify a full – time hire. Instead these companies outsource their wellness programs to external vendors.
But if you were employed full – time with a company, have it in mind that your schedule and position would most likely mimic a typical 9–5 office job. Also, if you are employed with an outside agency or firm, you would more or less be expected to travel and create your own schedule to provide service at multiple work sites.
Howbeit, whether you work for a company or an agency, just understand that you will be working with a diverse group of individuals. Also note that most companies offer incentives to employees who take part in their corporate wellness programs, meaning some participants will be more committed than others.
You will also be working directly with business executives to understand their organizational goals. You are also expected to work with them to help institute programs to meet their individual needs, which may include implementing fitness programs, incorporating healthy food offerings or even readjusting or introducing new office equipment that promotes wellness.
As a health educator working in corporate wellness who will be working with so many people, you will require a variety of skills to function well in this field. It is imperative to be able to work well with employees when putting together wellness plans for them. And once the goals and the budget are established, you will have to leverage your leadership abilities to implement and manage your wellness programs.
Also note that you are expected to have a passion for healthy living and an inclination to help others reach their personal goals. An upbeat, motivational attitude will help you inspire participants to step outside their comfort zone and strive to improve their health. Remember also that you will be tasked with handling many clerical tasks as you oversee the day-to-day operation of your programs.
How to Find Corporate Wellness Jobs in 4 Steps?
You’ve heard about companies implementing corporate wellness programs and feel like that could be the perfect use of your abilities and interests, here are few steps to take to land this job of your dream.
1. Perform an “inventory” of your skill sets
If you’re a student, note that you especially have time to apply this strategy. But if you’re a graduate, don’t worry, there is still time. Knowing what you currently know, who would hire you, and why they should hire you, will definitely go a long way to help your cause.
Indeed, grades can prevent you from getting an interview but they don’t necessarily help you get one. Nobody wants to work with a rookie know – it – all. But they do want to work with someone who with workplace experience.
And it doesn’t matter what kind of workplace. Either way, priority number one should be to associate with and learn from the people who run the wellness or health education program. Also note that you can practice with mentors and ask them questions in a low risk environment.
2. Look for the right wellness job
After analysing your skills and what you would like to do, it is now time to search for the job that suits your skill sets. The most common platforms are LinkedIn and Indeed. Zip Recruiter and Monster are also good. However, do not forget to look at industry job boards maintained by organizations such as Wellness Councils of America. The Chronical for Higher Education is another great place to find wellness positions in schools and universities.
These are fantastic sources for job leads. Also note that some of your personal contacts will be employed in the wellness industry or know people who are. Strive to get connected through them to the wellness coordinator and ask them intelligent questions that you have thought about and prepared well ahead of time.
3. Know why you chose wellness as a career option
This will or may likely go back to when you chose your wellness or health promotion major in college. Note that you should be able to relate some of the following: why a holistic versus treatment approach seemed to resonate with you, how choosing a wellness lifestyle became a personal victory for you, why helping people change was attractive to you, and how passionate you are about Wellness.
Over years it is been said that nobody gets rich by going in to wellness. Your interviewers will know that but they will want to feel your passion. They will want to know that you will love wellness as much as they do.
4. Acquire wellness certifications
Always remember that having a certification is always a good idea because it adds colour to your job and academic experiences. For most jobs, however, a certification is not required. Getting one won’t hurt your job prospects, but it many cases it may make no difference. Actual wellness job experience is always the most important qualification. If you do decide to get a certification it is also important that you consider continuing education costs in terms of time and money.
Conclusion
Starting salaries for corporate wellness jobs should be around $30,000 – 40,000 per year. Wellness jobs that require a master’s degree will start higher. Salaries will vary depending on the responsibilities, the wellness program, and even the region of the United States.
However, people don’t go into wellness to get rich! Instead of sitting back and witnessing the unhealthy habits found in so many corporate environments, they choose to become a part of the movement to improve employee health and wellbeing.
You’ve already got the qualities and passion it takes to excel in the field. A degree in public health, nutrition, exercise science or health and wellness can provide the practical skills and hands – on training needed to land a career in corporate wellness.