Student Profile: Olivia Young
Perhaps one of the most valuable aspects of the Chatham experience is the community. In such unprecedented times, I (Abigail Kneuss ‘23), have become increasingly grateful for this community and its members. In an effort to showcase just a few of these great people, I’ll be doing a series of student interviews in the coming weeks. These highlights are for students, about students, and by students. This week features Olivia Young ‘23.
If you’re ever on-campus, chances are you’ve met Olivia. As an RA in Dilworth, Exercise Science Club member, and a leader of the With Chatham Christian student organization, she serves as a friendly face in all that she does. Learn more about her, her Chatham favorites, and her plans for the future below!
Olivia Young ‘23
Major: Exercise Science, IDP Occupational Therapy
Hometown: Sugarcreek, OH
Q: What made you want to become an Occupational Therapist?
A: I liked the idea of going into the health field because you get to help people, but I didn’t want to be a doctor. I also knew I wanted to focus on helping people with their mental health rather than just physical health. With occupational therapy, I get to do both.
Q: What’s one thing you learned from your first year at Chatham?
A: I learned how important it is just to talk to people. A lot of times if you don’t reach out, other people aren’t going to. Classes become a lot easier if you utilize the people in your classes and major to help you study. I would also say that the first semester of school can be hard for First Year students, especially with COVID. Push through and come back the second semester. If I hadn’t came back my second semester, I wouldn’t have all the friends and experiences that I have now. Also, it’s important to remember that this semester is just wildly different.
Q:
As an RA, why do you feel it’s important you maintain COVID procedures?
A: I don’t want to be sent home and I don’t think anyone else does either. In a place as small as Chatham, one person’s careless actions can lead to a lot of cases. I don’t want everyone to be punished because of one person. It’s also just hard for a lot of people to be online, including myself. I feel like I really need this structured learning environment of being on-campus. Even if some of my classes are online right now, being here helps me be motivated to do them.
Q: Favorite class this semester?
A: My class, Strength and Conditioning, with Dr. Edsall. He’s very engaging and everything we learn is applicable to what I’m going to do as an Occupational Therapist. It’s nice to see it coming together and really start to learn about my future career.
Q: Best fall spot on campus?
A: The quad if it’s not too cold! My friends and I hang out on the quad all of the time. Our favorite spot is the picnic bench by Woodland. If it is too cold, the sunroom in Mellon is beautiful and you can still see all the fall leaves.
Q: What work do you as a leader for WithChatham?
A: The organization is a Christian group that holds events and get togethers. I’m a small group leader that is in charge of hosting bible studies for group members. With COVID we haven’t gotten to do a lot of the things we used to do, but we are working on getting a plan set for the year to host some COVID-friendly events.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Well my grad program is 3 years long so that means I would be 5 years post-grad. Hopefully I will have a job and be settled. My dream job is to work with kids in a school and have the summers off. Both of my parents are teachers, so I grew up with them being around in summers and it was nice. I don’t want to end back up in Ohio though. Hopefully I’ll be living in New York, or NYC if I’m lucky.
Know a current or future student that should be featured or would like to be featured yourself? Email us! We’re happy to hear your suggestions.