By: Ryanne Rader
BSPH anticipated December 2024
Internship site: Marion County Health Department: State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
I never really intended to go to college. One day I just woke up and decided to give it a go. I was rejected everywhere I applied, except Indiana University Indianapolis. This worked out for me because with IU Indy’s acceptance, I found such passion and commitment in my life. I started off as a dental hygiene student, and somehow found my way down a rabbit hole of different majors. Public Health was the last stop on the bus for me. Once I found it, I never let it go.
I embraced all things public health and volunteered at industry events. I networked at a volunteer event with the Marion County Public Health Department early in my sophomore year. The next semester, one of the volunteer coordinators reached out to me regarding an internship. I have been her intern for over year and a half. It has opened so many doors for me. I am constantly provided with educational resources, public health experience, and networking. This internship has been the highlight of my academic career and I will take this experience with me for the rest of my life.
This summer, I am currently finishing up a second internship through the Marion County Public Health Department’s “SHIP” program. My intention is to start my Master of Public Health degree next spring at the Fairbanks School of Public Health.
In terms of my internship, I truly enjoy the work I am given, especially when it involves research and organization! I love running the Fairbanks Public Health Student Volunteer Corps because it gives me a chance to share my experience and knowledge with other students and build my résumé. Most importantly, I love and appreciate my supervisor, who believed in me enough to give me a shot at this. Without her, I would most likely be down a totally different career path.
In the future, I see myself working in a hospital as an infection preventionist. I want to make an environment as safe and clean as possible for patients, employees, and visitors in a hospital setting.
My advice to other students is to say “yes” to any opportunity that comes your way. The earlier in your career, the better. Put yourself out there. Make yourself uncomfortable because you learn from these experiences and feelings. If you are a public health student looking to network or volunteer, I recommend joining the Public Health Student Volunteer Corps. The Corps is what gave me a start to my career, and I still continue to volunteer and expand my network as often as I can.
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