Career Services: Grad School

In one of my earlier posts I mentioned how I was looking into grad schools. Recently, I signed up for my GRE prep course so time is moving quickly. For this assignment, I went to find out more about future grad schools. I had actually researched a dual program between ASU and the University of Minnesota. The event was not explicitly posted on the Career Services website but it was a similar type event.

The University of Minnesota staff came down to talk with students at the downtown campus about their Nutrution & Public Policy/Public Health programs. I had a chance to meet with Andy, a representative of the program to talk more about it. He answered a lot of my questions and I was actually really interested in the program because it allows me to stay at ASU. The program is unique because it allows you to live in ASU and then spend summer's interning in Minnesota. The degree does not mention anything about ASU but you get the benefits of both university. 

Andy referred me Marjorie Baldwin who works at ASU and I decided to meet with her too in order to hear more about the program. I met with her in hopes of meeting current grad students in the program, but haven't heard from back her yet. 

Internships in the future

I have loved being an intern mostly because I have been able to learn so much and see the impact of my work on the organization and on the community. Being an intern is great because it really does allow you to grow as an individual. I still have two semesters left at ASU and would love to participate in other internships.

I recently saw a flyer to intern next semester at the Office of the Mayor, Greg Stanton, in downtown Phoenix. I missed the deadline to apply but emailed the person in charge at the office anyways and he made an exception and allowed me to send in my resume. Well, I recently had an interview and I think it went really well. The interview was very casual and I felt like it was more of a friendly conversation.

I would love to intern for the Mayor's office because it would give me experience at the city level, as much as I love working for a nonprofit I think it would be great to see the differences in the organizations. The man I met with at the office, Doug gave me a general overview of the projects. It sounded like I would be paired with different staff to help with projects of interest, from drafting policy to helping write a speech for the Mayor. I would also have the opportunity to go to public hearings or meetings that the Mayor attends in order to provide notes or other types of support.

Even though my schedule is so busy for next semester, I think it would be such an amazing opportunity. I find out in a week or so if I get accepted to the internship program.

Strengths of AzHHA

As you may know at this point I have been interning for an amazing organization called the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA). I recently had an opportunity to meet with the CEO of the organization, Greg Vigdor who gave us interns an overview of AzHHA. Greg is relatively new at AzHHA and came over from another nonprofit health organization at Washington State. Greg shared with us his vision for AzHHA and Arizona in general in that he hopes for Arizona to be the healthiest state in the nation. This is obviously quite a far reaching vision but I think it captures the spirit of AzHHA.

Greg and his staff work closely together and the office has a very positive, happy vibe. I think this positive environment is a strength of AzHHA and makes the staff more productive. The staff have a lot of freedom to come and go when they need and it allows them to spend more time with their family. I would love to work in an organization like this so that I too can spend time with my family when needed. Greg also has a very large white board in his office where he has a collection of ideas, goals, and other information that helps him brainstorm for AzHHA. I love that Greg's ideas are so transparent to others at AzHHA.

Overall, I would not change very much about AzHHA and I love the environment that Greg and the staff have created. Sometimes I think that the staff are often not present enough and it is hard to find them because they do have so much freedom and flexibility. I think a universal vision and a strong CEO are really the true strengths of AzHHA and it is really something that should be implemented at other nonprofits.

Field trip to Enemy Territory

So I have terrible news. During my internship we were forced to go behind enemy lines to the U of A Medical Center downtown. Fortunately many of my fellow interns are also ASU students so we banded together and even chanted "Go ASU!" a few times while in the building.

All joking aside, I really enjoyed this tour because it was amazing to see the new technology at work in the medical center. Before, med students often had to practice sutures on pig's feet but now they have real life skin samples that are kept wet to maintain moisture and realism. It was incredible  to see all the new technology. Our tour guide reminded us that while med students do have access to great technology many students do not know how to respond when technology doesn't work so they aim to give students a well rounded experience and solutions on how to respond if traditional medical technology is not available.

My favorite part of the tour was the simulation lab. I have worked in a simulation lab before so it was really cool being reunited with the mannequins (no they aren't called dummies). I had never seen a mother and baby simulation before so I got to experience that. I will attach a picture of this experience below. I was amazed at the baby, it felt so real.

While U of A may be a natural Sun Devil enemy, I was truly impressed to see how advanced the school was and how dedicated the staff are in ensuring that their students are fully prepared to work in our medical community.

Grad School

I have posted recently about how fast this semester has gone by but it honestly is so true! It really is crazy to see how time flies. I have been thinking about grad school lately. I would love to be able to get out of Arizona and explore a different city. It is a bit scary to think I would be off on my own. I am thinking about getting a dual masters in Public Health & Public Policy because I have a lot of interest in working in healthcare. Working at AzHHA has really made me realize that I would be very happy working in the healthcare industry. I also have a passion for policy so I am afraid to give that up. I want to maybe someday work with other policies such as education but am worried it is too broad for a stand alone Masters.

I am curious to know what others are thinking about in terms in Master's programs?

Research Assistant

I have recently started working as a research assistant and I have enjoyed it thus far. My job is to go through scientific articles and journals regarding life as a post-doctoral graduate. I am a bit overwhelmed at the moment about how many articles I have to go through and am hoping that my supervisor will allow me to have part of winter break to complete this.

I am very excited to have this opportunity and have learned so much. I never would have imagined that I would be able to help out a professor. Anyone have any helpful tips for reading and analyzing scientific journals fairly quickly?

Thanks.

Public Service Through AzHHA

My internship through Arizona Healthcare and Hospital Association has been an eye opening experience. The organization is very community based and the people that work here really strive to do their best so that the community, specifically hospitals benefit through the legislative work that AzHHA does. One specific element really spoke to me. AzHHA is working to reduce the stress and anxiety that comes at hospitals when doctors and nurses have to talk to patients about how they want to die and their general plans regarding death.

AzHHA employees want to make sure that patients have a comfortable experience when talking about death and have developed a system of Life Talks that make talking about death not so scary and so that people have their wishes honored if a situation occurred where a healthcare provider would have to make a decision about their life such as if they want to donate organs or die naturally.

AzHHA in general is a public service organization that serves to meet the needs of the Phoenix healthcare community. By bridging existing gaps AzHHA hopes to create healthcare solutions so that patients have an easier time using the healthcare system. AzHHA is also nonprofit so their work and energy is truly mean't to go back to the community.