Leadership Skills

Service Learning Project

  • Skills: Planning and executing the service-learning project influenced several of my personal skills. For my project, I provided a oral health workshop to shelter residents. Doing the workshop allowed me to improve my public speaking as I presented to a group of 12 individuals in person. Secondly, I learned how to switch from using professional jargon to laymen’s terms. Often, as professionals and practitioners we communicate to others who understand the technical terms, however, in presenting to the community it forced me to simplify the knowledge I was sharing. Lastly, I had to design and prepare for the workshop several weeks in advance to ensure I conveyed all the planned information, which required a lot of organization beforehand.
  • Impact: The service-learning project significantly contributed to learning. In communicating with the women from the shelter I learned that their current situation doesn’t necessarily define them as person or means that they lack knowledge and education. This experience also encouraged me to become more personable as a practitioner.

APE Selection

  • Skills: Selecting my APE organization and project was one of the most influential leadership opportunities I have engaged in throughout the MPH program. Doing this allowed me free range to take up what I value most and guide the project organization process. In the beginning, I was very nervous to reach out to potential APE sites because I was afraid of rejection. After overcoming that obstacle, I was able to set my project goals and expectations and begin the experience which means the most upon completion of the program.
  • Impact: This impacted my experience by encouraging me to be a leader and take control of the APE that will help determine my future as a public health practitioner.

Group Presentations

  • Skills: In doing several group presentations throughout the MPH program I have sharpened a plethora of skills. It allowed me to partake in interprofessional collaboration and learn how to communicate with multiple team members to ensure successful project completion. I also gained confidence in public speaking via virtual platforms and even improved audience engagement.
  • Impact: This has impacted my learning by encouraging me to be confident in the information that I share and building my confidence as a public health speaker.