What do you do?
I'm the Workforce Pathways Program strategist. This program is in the Community Relations and Equity team in the Office of Public Affairs and Equity.
Describe your educational path. What was your area of study?
I started out as a pre-med biology major at the University of California, Berkeley. I took an intro to public health class and really appreciated how the field of public health encompasses the intersections of health, wellness, equity and social justice. I ended up switching majors and graduated in 2013 with my bachelor's in public health with an emphasis in community health and infectious diseases.
I received my Master of Public Health in 2020 through the Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health. My program was centered around primary health care and health disparities.
How did you enter your career in public health?
After my undergraduate studies, I was still considering a path to a medical profession, either as a doctor or physician assistant. I worked in a physical therapy clinic and then a primary care clinic for a few years as a community health worker.
At that point, I bore witness to a lot of the systemic barriers that patients face to accessing health care and improving their health, so I decided I wanted to engage in work at the state or county level where I could contribute to something with a wider impact.
I applied for a job in the Office of Newborn Screening at the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and applied for graduate school to get my Master of Public Health. I started at DOH in May 2018.
Tell us about your team or the primary purpose or work of your group.
The Workforce Pathway Program is a fairly new program at DOH funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Our program seeks to support the diversification of the agency and public health workforce by recruiting members of diverse communities most impacted by health inequities, and those who have nontraditional career and educational backgrounds.
The Workforce Pathways Program places these professionals into paid positions at DOH, providing work experience and exposure to different areas of public health and government work, while also offering professional development and training in key skills relevant to public health careers. I am very passionate about helping our workforce be more representative of the diverse communities we serve, and I'm so proud of the work our team does.
What advice would you give a student pursuing career opportunities in public health? What is something you wish you knew earlier in your career?
The most important thing I recommend is to be open minded. Your first, second or even third job in public health might not be in the area you are most excited about, but every job can give you the knowledge and skills to grow as a public health professional and progress towards your career goals. Also, find opportunities to network. I did not do enough of that as a college student and always wish I did. Networking and mentors can be so valuable for inspiration, guidance and just extra support.
What achievements are you most proud of in your work in public health?
I have been at DOH for almost six years, so first I would say I am really proud to be able to grow my career as a public health professional within this agency. My various roles have equipped me with so much skills and knowledge to make me feel more confident in my work and career.
I also was a full-time graduate student while working at DOH fulltime, so I'm proud of finishing my master’s program in 2020 and adding to my academic experience.
Last, I am most proud of my current role in shaping future public health professionals and supporting those early in their careers. Bringing in 30 fellows was a big lift, but it is extremely fulfilling and makes me incredibly proud to see the growth of our Pathways professionals in the agency.
Do you see any bright spots or opportunities as you look to the future of public health for the next generation of public health professionals?
I see so much passion and dedication to equity in the next generation, which makes me very optimistic and excited about the future of public health. I see an incredible drive for change to address and undo the systemic inequities that public health upheld in the past.