Alumni, Networking and ....Mid-Terms

We all know they are coming, and yes they are stressful, but there is a certain satisfaction in accomplishing Mid-Terms. I named this post "Alumni, Networking and...Mid-Terms" and will certainly get right into the first couple titles...

Alumni/Networking:

So today the CPHSA (College of Public Health Student Association) hosted a meeting with Alumni from each of the departments with the College of Public Health. It was an eye-opening experience for me in terms of the variety of ages and paths each individual had taken in their Public Health journey. Some had been in the field and came back to get a degree (i.e. MPH) and others went right into a position (i.e. Health Analyst at Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Administrator at State Hygienic Lab, Epidemiologist and Strategic Planning at UIHC).

The one thing that I would say most important that I took away, was NETWORKING! I say this in terms of those Alumni that were there, about half obtained their positions by meeting people through their internship/practicum experiences while obtaining their degree. That is certainly how I have found and eventually obtained many of my internships and PH experiences the past few years and is something that I feel the College and personally my department of Health Management and Policy does well..

Mid-Terms

So it is Mid-Term season and things certainly are not letting up anytime soon, but I am definitely looking forward to tomorrow night for TGIT (Thank Goodness It's Thursday) because my department does not schedule classes on Friday's and it is the one night where I take a break from studying and go out and let loose a little before starting productivity for the weekend! Tomorrow a group of us have planned an unofficial St. Patty's Day outting where we will take over the down-town scene in our Green Gear and may or may not part take in some Irish traditions or at least what they have become in the U.S. of a couple drinks. It's always nice to know there is great downtown IOWA CITY to go to and get away from the academics sometimes and hang out with the family I have created with those in my department and in my terms, life-long partners in public health.

Hope you all are having a wonderful week and sending the Luck of the Shamrock with you!

Ryan