During my first month on the job as a field engineer, I eagerly said yes to a project for on-site characterization without having any idea what to expect. It was not until we arrived at the project site that I realized we had to hike up a mountain, the first mountain I had ever explored. “This should be fun,” I mumbled to myself. It was, in fact, not fun. Gasping for breath, I stumbled my way up a ‘short’ two-mile trail in bone-chilling 26°F temperatures. My lungs felt like they were about to stage a protest, and my eyes were red and teary from the relentless wind. I turned to my project manager and breathlessly blurted out, “Why did no one ask me about my fitness level during the interview process?”
Health and Fitness: An Overlooked Aspect of Professional Development
When we think of professional development for early career professionals (ECPs), the focus is usually on technical skills, certifications, mentorship, and networking. However, for ECPs who start their careers in the field, physical fitness is an often overlooked component that can significantly impact job performance. The demands of fieldwork, which include long work hours, physical exertion, and exposure to various environmental conditions, make fitness not just beneficial but crucial to the trade.
Research shows that regular physical activity improves not only physical capabilities, but also cognitive functions, which are essential for decision-making and problem-solving in the field.1 Below are three key ways fitness can enhance your performance as a field engineer and directly benefit your achievements and contributions to your organization.
- Increased Efficiency: Regular physical activity has been shown to increase energy levels and improve work performance.2 This can directly translate to increased efficiency in your daily tasks. Improved fitness allows you to move faster and with more agility, enabling you to complete tasks within competitive timeframes. This sets you on track to complete tasks efficiently and within budget, reducing down time and ensuring project milestones are achieved.Improving my physical fitness increased my ability to maintain energy for long field days, enabling me to be consistently productive throughout the day.
- Reduced Risk of Injury: As mentioned earlier, field work often involves repetitive motions, occasional heavy lifting, walking on uneven terrains, prolonged walks, and periods of standing. Without adequate fitness and mobility, these activities can lead to injuries such as muscle strains, joint pain, and even long-term musculoskeletal disorders. Studies have shown that strength training and mobility exercises can strengthen your muscles, improve joint mobility,3 and enhance your overall physical and mental resilience. Prioritizing fitness reduces the risk of injury, improves your well-being, enhances your focus and productivity, empowering you to excel in both personal and professional pursuit.
- Enhanced Mental Clarity: Increased physical fitness leads to better blood circulation to the brain which enhances cognitive functions like concentration, memory, and problem solving.4 During fieldwork, unexpected events often arise, requiring quick decision-making and the ability to retain specific information because documenting as activities are carried out may not always be feasible. Enhanced mental clarity allows you to adapt swiftly to changing project conditions, make informed choices on the go, and effectively tackle challenges — all of which are essential for successful project execution. Staying focused in the field and behind the desk ensures that your work is accurate, minimizing errors, and contributing to the overall quality and success of the project.
Prioritizing Health and Safety on the Job and Throughout Your Fitness Journey
It is essential to note that fitness is not linear and looks different for everyone. While on your journey to achieving your fitness goals, it is important to prioritize your health and safety. Additionally, if you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe in a work situation due to physical demands, environmental conditions, or untrustworthy equipment, it is your duty to speak up, communicate your concerns, and advocate for yourself.
Conclusion: Fitness as a Professional and Personal Asset
Reflecting on that first mountain hike, I now recognize how essential fitness is to my personal well-being and professional success. I’ve come a long way from gasping for air and struggling to keep up to confidently handling the physical and mental demands of my job. My investment in my physical fitness has improved my performance both in the field and at my desk. By prioritizing my health, fitness, and safety, I am setting myself up for long-term, injury-free success. I now consider health and fitness to be an essential part of my professional toolkit, and I hope you do the same.
Sources
- Mandolesi, L., Polverino, A., Montuori, S., Foti, F., Ferraioli, G., Sorrentino, P., & Sorrentino, G. (2018). Effects of physical exercise on cognitive functioning and well-being: Biological and psychological benefits. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 509. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00509
- Haskell, W. L., Lee, I. M., Pate, R. R., Powell, K. E., Blair, S. N., Franklin, B. A., … & Bauman, A. (2007). Physical activity and public health: Updated recommendation for adults from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 39(8), 1423-1434. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e3180616b27
- Knapik JJ. The importance of physical fitness for injury prevention: part 1. J Spec Oper Med. 2015 Spring;15(1):123-7. PMID: 25770810.
- Erickson, K. I., Leckie, R. L., & Weinstein, A. M. (2014). Physical activity, fitness, and gray matter volume. Neurobiology of Aging, 35, S20-S28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2014.03.034
Author
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Lola Otoki (she/her/hers), currently serves as General Leadership Team Member for SWE Early Career Professionals Affinity Group. As an environmental professional, she spends much of her time outdoors conducting environmental assessments and implementing sustainable solutions to address environmental challenges. Lola is passionate about creating a community where professionals thrive, believing that success comes from a healthy balance of career growth, social life and well-being. When she is not on-site, she enjoys kickboxing or whitewater rafting, always seeking ways to enjoy the gift of nature.
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