Recent Grad Explores Career Opportunities in Public Health
As we continue to experience the effects of the global pandemic, there’s never been a more important time to support the health and wellness of our communities.
Launching Minnesota Public Health Corps to Meet Critical Needs
This August, we proudly launched Minnesota Public Health Corps. Designed to help meet emerging public health needs, Public Health Corps is placing AmeriCorps members at sites across the state to serve as project coordinators and support community engagement, data collection, and sustained COVID-19 response and recovery.
John is a Public Health Project Coordinator in this new cohort. After graduating with a biology degree he planned to go into healthcare, but after gaining some experience John decided it wasn’t the route he wanted to take. He began serving at the City of Minneapolis Health Department with the Healthy Living Division in August. “I'm still figuring out what I want to do but have been interested in the field of public health,” John said. “It sounded like the perfect opportunity to get my foot in the door and learn more about public health while only committing to a year of service.”
Tackling Community Health Challenges: John's Impact
A typical week for John includes a variety of projects. He serves from home some days and gets out at least once or twice a week to meet with sites, attend town meetings, or engage with community members. The goal of these visits is to talk with locals, ask questions and figure out how his team can help. “What drives me about this work is that I can see the positive impact it has on the community,” noted John. “After working with community members they’ve told me they feel heard and acknowledged.”
Some of John’s current projects include researching smoke free and burn free incense for use in public housing and working on a ‘Walk, Bike and Roll’ project aimed to improve accessibility and get more communities of color out enjoying the city’s bike and walking paths. He says he enjoys the variety of projects which allow him to think creatively and be a part of finding solutions.
From Service to Career: John's Journey in Public Health
In addition to helping provide much needed capacity for public health initiatives, Minnesota Public Health Corps is also working to build the next generation of public health leaders. John is impressed with how supportive the program has been. He says there have been so many opportunities to shadow different careers, explore what public health has to offer, and network with others in the field. “Public Health Corps is a great opportunity for people in all stages of their life,” John stated. “It has been super helpful with my career exploration and making connections in Public Health.”
Since completing his service, John was hired on at his site with the Minneapolis Health Department as the Lead and Healthy Homes Inspector. He is thrilled to continue building his career in the field of public health and engaging with people in the community. “My service with the Healthy Living Initiative helped me realize I enjoy keeping people out of the hospital and enjoy doing public health work where I am able to educate, inform, and empower people.”
Public Health Project Coordinators are needed statewide. If you are interested in launching a career in public health, you can learn more by visiting ampact.us/public-health.