Can you explain your current position?

I am a program coordinator in performance management for a Health and Human Services Agency. I spent the last three and a half years working to help our Community Health Branch achieve Public Health Accreditation. Now I oversee performance management for the entire agency. I teach trainings, facilitate quality improvement projects, and help staff determine what data they should collect that tells the story of their program and how to communicate and share it.

Is that something you thought you’d be doing when you were in school?

Nope! Absolutely not. I started at WOU wanting to be an elementary school teacher. I had worked with kids extensively so I started in Elementary Ed, switched to Sociology, then to Psychology and after taking Human Sexuality, realized how much I loved health.

I had an amazing professor, Shawn Sellers, point me in the direction of public health, and I haven’t turned back since. But no, I never saw myself doing quality improvement work. Even in grad school, I had no idea what that even meant. I stumbled upon it after getting my first job post graduate school, but I love it.

So how did you gain relevant work experience?

One of the struggles I had in finding my first job post grad school was a lack of relevant work experience. I went straight from my BA to grad school and completed my master’s degree on an accelerated course to save money. I had a baby right after grad school, so it took me about 14 months to get work after graduation. It was tough to get that first entry-level public health position, but once I did, other opportunities started to open up.

What kinds of things did you learn about in college that you’re using now?

I have an eye for asking questions and looking for data and evidence. My classes about human behavior helped prepare me to work with and understand many of the populations served by county health and human services, many of which are very vulnerable. My public health courses prepared me to take what I learned about the individual and apply it to populations in a community context.

What does a typical day at work look like?

I have a lot of meetings. Most of my work involves problem solving, so that happens face-to-face. I also do a lot of trainings and help facilitate group processes, so again, lots of face time. Some work is with internal programs, and other times I’m working with community partners. It’s a nice variety.

What’s the best part of your job?

I love being a problem solver and acting as a resource for others. I love public speaking and trainings, and helping others figure out solutions. I love being thrown into situations where I don’t know the answer. In fact, I usually don’t start out knowing what a particular program wants or needs. But after listening and speaking to the people involved, I’ve engaged them in a solution and we’re on our way to improving health in the community. I also get to be independent and autonomous in my work and I have a fairly flexible schedule. I work with passionate people to improve the community where I live and work, so it’s pretty awesome!

Any advice for students?

• Be flexible about where you see yourself. During my time at WOU, I considered law school, teaching, being a therapist/psychiatrist, or a school counselor. Even once I picked my grad school program, I was certain I would end up working with maternal and child programming. And here I am, running around teaching quality improvement and getting excited about graphs and surveys.
• Get practical experience – as much as you can. Network and do informational interviews with people who do the jobs you think you want to do. Find out what their day to day looks like. Do they sit at a desk all day or are they out in the community?
• Take care of yourself along the way. Use the resources available to you: counseling, tutoring, exercise classes etc. You are building the habits that you employ during times of stress that you will likely continue during the rest of your life. Western is a very special place, full of people who care, so be sure to soak up your time there.