Elijah Fagan
“I have always wanted a career that allows me to change the lives of those I interacted with. Occupational therapy allows me to do this by taking a holistic approach where the client is truly at the center of the process.”
Why did you choose your current major or program?
I have always wanted a career that allows me to change the lives of those I interacted with. Occupational therapy allows me to do this by taking a holistic approach where the client is truly at the center of the process.
Why did you choose WVU for your education?
I am from Morgantown, and grew up idolizing the Mountaineers. So, attending WVU was always a big goal for me.
What do you eventually want to do in your career? What’s the end goal? Are there any postgraduate degrees or programs you want to pursue?
The end goal for my career is being a person my future patients love to see walk into their room. I think this may be obtainable with mastery of the skills needed to perform my job. Aside from physical skills, this also includes the social, emotional and cognitive aspects of patient interaction. Awareness of these key aspects will likely take me a long way in terms of understanding my patient, and the situation they are in.
Why do you feel this career will be rewarding and fits you uniquely?
Helping others gain or regain the ability to complete the activities they seek to do in their everyday lives is very rewarding. I feel it fits me due to the way I interact with others and the way in which I read different situations.
What would you tell a student who’s thinking about applying to your program?
All of the hard work pays off. There will likely be many late nights and early mornings, but it is so rewarding seeing your personal growth first-hand as the curriculum progresses.
Does your program have any hands-on learning or internship opportunities that you’ve particularly enjoyed?
As nervous as I am prior to the practical exams, I always remember them as being positive experiences. Each one is an opportunity to show what we have learned throughout the semester and sometimes our first opportunity to perform skills with individuals we have not met. So, the culmination of it being an exam, and performing all things we have been taught during the semester, always make them a memorable experience.
Have you had any faculty that you particularly enjoyed in class or through mentorship, etc.?
Dr. Burt, Dr. Woods, Dr. Greenfield and Dr. Acord-Vira.
Tell us something unique or interesting about yourself that others may not know. Hobbies, talents, superlatives, etc.
I am the proud owner of a chinchilla! His name is Chester.