Decisions, Family and Homecoming!

Hi all!

Hope you all had a marvelous last week and are enjoying this change in fall weather, which is probably my favorite season because of change in colors and premieres in TV shows, which I only have time for a couple to take a break from studying and daily life.

Decisions:

What are you going to do after you graduate? The question that I think a majority of you reading this and I know I get most often that always has a different answer most of the time depending on where I am on my career soul search. I obviously want to go into a career that will be health administration and policy focused but the exact agency or job is another story. Even as a graduate student, there are unknowns and uncertainty to what exactly you might end up doing someday, but the constant that holds everything together in your program.

I am in the Health Management and Policy (HMP) department. The HMP department is within the College of Public Health (CPH) and houses me because I am pursing my Masters of Public Health (MPH) in Policy and Masters of Health Administration (MHA). The HMP department provides us with networking opportunities with a variety of professionals to be exposed and follow-up with alumni that spark our interests. I can't say enough or give any better advice then to follow something you love or that energizes you. Everyone in the program has different interests, you have to choose for yourself, what route you want to take and organization that best fits your needs and culture.

I have been dealing with this ever since I started last Fall 2009, but each semester have been narrowing my interests and specialities to two main areas: Program Operations (Health Administration) and Policy work at the State level (MPH in Policy). Each of these can provide me with two vary different careers but as the ear goes on, I hope to have a more narrow focused answer to the question I first posed and even if I don't, I know things will be okay because the drive and motivation are there, which is half of what is needed to take you to where you want to be!

Family:

My family was in Iowa City this past weekend to visit and celebrate my 23rd birthday! My brother, Dad, Cody and I all went to the "Vine" in Coralville to watch the Ball State vs. Iowa game, to which we dominated and gave everyone across campus the boost we needed going into Homecoming week! In addition, my Mom and sister-in-law went shopping at the outlet mall just 20 minutes west of Iowa City in Williamsburg. The whole family gathered back together for a night downtown to where we had a fabulous meal at "Givanni's" and indulged in some pumpkin pie back at the apartment. It was a great relaxing weekend with the family which ended with some more eating ;) at Iowa River Power (converted restaurant) that has probably one of the best brunches in Iowa City with complimentary Mimosas!

Homecoming:

The homecoming game is on October 2 @ 7PM again Penn State and the College of Public Health has a couple events that are always a must when it comes to Homecoming!

There is a full week of activities for Homecoming Week, September 25 - October 2. Most everyone across campus participates and the CPH is holding some of it's own events that I will be looking forward to attending, given two mid-term exams I have this week.

HOMECOMING PARADE - FRIDAY, OCT. 1

Come cheer for the College of Public Health Student Association's entry in the homecoming parade! The parade starts at 5:45 p.m. in downtown Iowa City and will feature student and alumni floats, the Hawkeye Marching Band, and the Hawkeye Spirit Squad. View map of the parade route.

CPH HOMECOMING TAILGATE - SATURDAY, OCT. 2

Before the game, stop by the College of Public Health Tailgate from 4-6 p.m. on the patio area directly outside the CPH administrative offices in General Hospital (view map). Hot dogs, cookies, and soft drinks will be provided.

I will definitely be attending the tailgate for sure! So if your in town or want to join, just follow the map directions. Until next time, Good Morning Good Morning!

Ryan