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At Home Under Pressure
Most people spend their personal and professional lives avoiding stress. Not so for David Keeler of Kearney, Mo. During his time at Jewell, David has discovered a rare ability to thrive under pressure.
David has been challenged by Jewell’s rigorous Science and Technology Management major, which combines chemistry, biology and business courses to prepare students for careers in the modern workforce.
“You can’t just get by at Jewell,” he said. “You have to work hard, you have to do what is required of you and then some.”
David has been pushed both on campus and off. He has served as President of the Intra-Fraternity Council, overseeing significant changes to the Rush system. He prepared for this role by serving as one of the youngest-ever presidents of his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Order, as a sophomore.
“As President [of a fraternity], you get put in a lot of high-stress situations. You don’t always have that much time to think. You can only plan for so much,” he said. “But it’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything else.”
Immediately following his term as President, David undertook another exhilarating experience. For two weeks, he and his fellow Pryor Leadership Fellows charted the Florida Everglades as part of the Outward Bound program.
For David, the solo component of Outward Bound – a day spent entirely alone to fend for oneself – was an opportunity to decompress and think about the future.
“You’re sitting on the sand, the ocean’s next to you, and all you’ve got is time,” he said. “There’s not much of a better atmosphere to evaluate where you’re at and where you want to go.”
It was during this time, after paddling through the Everglades for days on end, that David realized something about himself. “I actually enjoy being stressed,” he said.
Now, rather than pursuing a career as a dentist as he originally expected, David is committed to fill one of the most demanding positions in the medical field: a flight nurse. This career requires highly-trained registered nurses to deal with various emergencies under intense conditions in a helicopter. Becoming a flight nurse is an invitation for stress.
More than David’s career path has changed during his time in college. “Four years ago, I was pretty introverted. I wasn’t one who sought out stressful situations,” he said. “But being exposed to stress through all of my opportunities at Jewell – going through Outward Bound, leading a fraternity, taking tough classes – showed me that I am at home in stressful situations.
“I kind of like being on the edge a little bit. If it’s not pushing me in one way or another, if it’s not getting my adrenaline pumping a little bit, then it’s not something I’m going to particularly enjoy,” he said.
At Jewell, David not only uncovered his rare gift to thrive under pressure, but he found a career path that will harness this ability to help others. It’s a discovery he appreciates.
“I’m really thankful for my Jewell experience. It’s been quite a ride,” he said, eyeing many more challenges in the future.
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