Our Motto!

My name is Derek Bauerle and I am a graduating senior, with a major in Strategic and Corporate Communication and a minor in Leadership studies. Over the course of the last 4 years, I have been looking for an outlet in which I could devote myself to exercise, nutrition, and health. I wanted to use this passion to help those that could benefit from my prior knowledge and years of research. After scouring websites for paid internships for months, I decided to take another route, working for free. This was one of the best decisions I have made throughout my time here at Chapman, as I found the company, Up Cancer. Unpaid and remote, I was skeptical at first. However, this company reminded me that I have something great to offer. For once, those around me (virtually) felt the same way that I did about improving the well being of others, physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Our company’s goal is to help Cancer victims and survivors live a healthier lifestyle, feel more motivated, and move past the the hardships this deadly disease can bring. Specifically, my role within the Healthy Living and Fitness team was to make our members’ health journey more accessible, approachable, and effective. To achieve this, I designed specialized exercise programming for beginners, intermediate, and advanced individuals, in order to appeal to each demographic, as well as nutrition guidance. I wrote copy for a brand new website that will be launching within the year, detailing what we offer, and why it can be such a valuable resource for those who have had bouts with any form of illness. It was during this that I realized I could be the reason somebody is inspired to change their life for the better.  I could not say no to this challenge, and with the help of my team we created something that has the power to change people’s lives. Paid or not, I wouldn’t change my decision to join the UpCancer for the world. 

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Of course, without my team none of this would have been possible. One of the most valuable lessons I learned through this process was to never underestimate or overlook the help of someone with the same goal. Not only can they motivate you to be better, but they can also find things that you may miss, overlook, or take for granted. For example, I was often tempted to use overcomplicated language to prove certain points, when simpler terms would actually help client adherence and overall understanding. As well as my coworkers, I used ideas that I learned from my classes within the School of Communication consistently in my project. In SCC 100, I was introduced to the idea of identifying your target audience. Since then, if I am questioning my nutrition or exercise programming I often ask myself, is my content aligned with the person that will be using it? This idea was repeated in each of my classes throughout the SCC major, and for good reason.

 Without prior knowledge of Cancer’s devastating effects, my eyes were opened to the fact that we have the ability to do something about it. If I had not taken the chance on this internship, I may not be the person I am today. Dramatic, I know, but something that may not seem worth it, might deserve a second look.