Program: Master of Public Health (MPH)
I’ve wanted to work in a health-related field for as long as I can remember. While exploring the many possibilities, I heard a podcast by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, the surgeon general of California. She described how she was able to improve the lives of thousands, if not millions, of people through system-level changes, as opposed to treating one person at a time. Though the latter is absolutely vital, the widespread effects of the former really appealed to me.
One moment that comes to mind was the MPH Practicum Showcase in 2021. After being entirely virtual for the first year, it was great to have everyone come together to visit and chat about each other’s projects. It was incredible to see all the great work everyone had accomplished in such a short amount of time. I got to see a room full of future health leaders who care deeply about improving and advocating for the well-being of others and it was very encouraging.
The staff and faculty in the MPH program don’t want to see you burn out. If you are having a particularly tough time or are feeling overwhelmed, reach out to your teachers and ask for some extra help or an extension. They are there to help you and they won’t think differently of you if you need some time.
I’m taking some time to rest and recharge before looking for work. When the time comes, I hope to apply the quantitative skills I’ve developed over these last few years to help solve health-related problems by working in research or in government. Having said that, I’ll keep an open mind to whatever opportunities come my way.