Lily Meyerson ’25 on Exercise Science and Skipping Grad School for the Work Force
Lily Meyerson ’25 poses for a photo in her graduation regalia in front of the Ann Putnam Mallinson ’61 Pond at Shadyside Campus. (Courtesy of Lily Meyerson)
A large portion of Chatham University’s exercise science students matriculate directly into medical school. Not Lily Meyerson ’25, who this year graduated and became an exercise physiologist at the Pulse Heart Institute in Tacoma, Washington.
But that wasn’t always her plan.
Recently, Meyerson did a Q&A with Chatham Pulse about her experience at Chatham and why she decided to start work right after getting her bachelor of exercise science.
When did you start at Chatham? Why did you come here?
I started at Chatham in August of 2021, and I landed there by chance. I grew up on the west coast and had never stepped foot in the state of Pennsylvania before I applied to Chatham, but I wanted to try something new. I was looking for a small school that felt secluded from the big city around it, and when I came for my campus tour, I knew that’s what I had found.
Why did you join the exercise science program?
I’ve always loved learning about how the body works, and I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, but I never had a clear idea of what that might look like - I think I actually selected a different degree path at every school I applied to. I was (and continue to be!) passionate about the idea of movement as medicine, so I entered Chatham with the plan of pursuing physical therapy school after graduation. By the time I changed my mind about PT school, I had already fallen in love with the exercise science program and knew I wanted to explore other opportunities within the field.
What was your program like? What were the faculty like?
I would say it felt homey. Every professor in our department knew me by name, and I knew everyone in my year by name—not something that my friends in other programs or at other schools could say. Our faculty were incredibly supportive and always made sure we knew they were there for whatever we needed. The curriculums they created allowed for flexibility and functionality; if there was a topic we really wanted to learn more about, they found a way to work it into the class, and if there was a way for us to learn a skill by jumping in and practicing it instead of having to read a textbook or sit through an hour-long lecture, our professors made it happen.
Meyerson and Ali Cowan ’25 at a Pittsburgh Pirates game. (Courtesy of Lily Meyerson)
What was the best part of your time at Chatham?
More than anything else, the best part of my time at Chatham was the people! Even as the institution itself changed shape (and continues to change now, I’m sure), the core of Chatham has always been the people there day in and day out. It’s the students, faculty, and staff that keep the school alive.
Why did you go into the workforce instead of pursuing a post-grad degree?
Full disclosure, going straight into the workforce wasn’t my plan until I was halfway through my undergraduate degree. My original plan was to attend PT school, but by my junior year, physical therapy no longer seemed like the right path for me. I started talking to my professors about what else was out there, and they suggested exercise physiology. In my senior year, I interned with a physical therapist doing cardiac and pulmonary rehab (a job typically done by exercise physiologists), and her passion and excitement for her work made me realize that it was something I could see myself doing as well.
How did you get your current job?
I got my job the same way most people do… I applied for a bunch in the hopes that even one would respond! Luckily, a healthcare company in my area was looking to hire an on-call exercise physiologist for their outpatient cardiopulmonary rehab program, doing almost exactly what I had been learning how to do in my internship. I worked on-call for them for several months to get my foot in the door and get a feel for the work I'd be doing, and now I’m working full-time at a clinic I truly love.
What is your job like? What is an average day like for you?
Every day, I get to work with patients recovering from cardiac procedures or dealing with chronic pulmonary or vascular disease to help them get back to their lives and routines. I’m working alongside RNs, respiratory therapists, and other exercise physiologists to prescribe exercise and provide education to patients on their disease and how to manage it. Even when it gets chaotic and busy, I still find the work I do to be incredibly rewarding, and I feel very lucky to be able to help patients through their recovery journey.
How would you sum up your time at Chatham?
My time at Chatham had its ups and downs, just like anyone else, but I honestly don’t think I’d go back and change anything, even if I could. I met some amazing people who helped shape my future, I had experiences I’ll remember fondly, and I’ve grown into a person I’m genuinely proud of. Looking back now, I can confidently say that Chatham was the right choice for me.
Learn more about Chatham University’s exercise science program, which prepares entry-level exercise science professionals in multiple focus areas, offers an integrated degree program, and gives students the chance to do research alongside dedicated faculty. Learn more at chatham.edu.