When Alexander Neukam arrived at West Virginia University, he wasn’t entirely sure what path he would take. Like many students, he came in undecided, exploring his options and finding his footing. It wasn’t until a summer conversation after his freshman year with his grandparents, both nurses, that he realized his calling lay in health and well-being.
“They just kind of told me that the health field is a good, interesting field,” he said. “You’re out there helping people, giving back to the community, and I connected with that and it made me realize that it was something I definitely wanted to do.”
Once Neukam found his direction, he never looked back, diving into the Health and Well-Being program at WVU. His desire to help others led him to an impactful internship this past summer at Moco Movement in his hometown of Bethesda, Md., where he worked as a therapeutic aide. This experience allowed him to assist occupational, physical and speech therapists in their daily work with children aged 5 to 17.
“I was a therapeutic aide, so I would help the therapists, but I also interacted with the kids directly,” he explained. “It was such a fortunate experience because I learned so much more than I expected. I feel like I have so much more hands-on experience now compared to other students.”
One of the most rewarding aspects of his internship was building relationships with the children he worked with, especially one young boy named Kai. Over the course of several weeks, Neukam formed a strong bond with him, creating a positive environment that the child looked forward to each day.
“His mom told me how much of a good job I did, how he would come home happy and excited after each session, and how much he missed me when I wasn’t there,” Neukam said. “That meant so much to me because I love seeing people smile and helping families in any way I can.”
Beyond the hands-on experience, Neukam learned important lessons about professionalism that reinforced his desire to pursue a career in the health field. He saw firsthand the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, forming strong relationships with colleagues and effectively managing time.
“You always need to keep a positive attitude. And you have to be happy with your job, because the therapists I worked with were managing multiple patients, doing paperwork and staying on top of their schedules,” he said. “Time management and keeping a professional manner are things I’ll definitely carry with me.”
Looking ahead, Neukam sees himself continuing on the path he’s set at WVU, but with practical steps before furthering his education. “Grad school is in my future, but I would like to work first,” he said. “I want to go to grad school in Washington, D.C., or in my home state of Maryland. I’d like to work for a few years and make some money, and then go to grad school and become a full-time occupational therapist.”
Neukam credits his time at WVU for giving him the right foundation to thrive in his chosen career. The small, tight-knit community in the Health and Well-Being program has been a major factor in his success.
“I love the classes and the professors here, especially Ryan Wamsley. I’ve had him for three years, and I always go into his class smiling and leave happy,” Neukam said. “The program is so engaging—you learn so much about the community, and it’s just an amazing experience.”
For Alexander Neukam, WVU has been the perfect place to grow academically and personally. With the support of his professors and peers, he feels confident in the direction he’s heading and knows that he’s in the right place to continue his journey toward a career in occupational therapy.
“There’s absolutely no place like West Virginia,” he concluded. “I’m so glad I came here.”
