Wonder what my professional goals are for after this internship? Check them out below!
Program Development and Research
Given that I will be working with a governmental agency in regards of developing programs, I do want to improve my ability to develop programs in order to increase access to services. This would mean that I also need to improve on my research abilities in regards to what health services are currently in place within the county as well as researching what other counties are doing in developing programs to increase access to mental health services to youth. Thus, utilizing the knowledge that I gained from Health Services Research Methods (HLSC 445) will be important in order to do research regarding health services and programs that are in effect. I would also have to utilize the knowledge that I gained from Budgeting and Finance in Healthcare as well as Public and Community Health Administration in order to develop the program that Healthy Minds Fairfax wants me to develop. I already have some skills in developing programming, however it has only been in regards to events and not in regards to services, so I really am looking forward to apply the knowledge I have and utilize it in a different way.
Health Equity and Social Justice
This professional goal is most likely the one that I am looking forward to developing the most. As someone who wants to go into Public Health for graduate school as well as focusing on health equity, I am looking forward to applying my understanding of social, environmental, and economical justice in a healthcare prospective to the governmental sector. While this organization may not be the county health department, the focus on mental health with youth that Healthy Minds Fairfax has is important in creating welfare programs for youth to gain access to mental health services. I think that my writing intensive course will really help me play to my strength given that it talks about critical issues in regards to healthcare such as access to services, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.
Network Expansion and Collaboration
Network expansion and collaboration will be an important goal of mine given that I want to also build connections to organizations, communities, and people within government. Especially since the career I want to enter, which is healthcare politics, involves being well-connected with those three things. My preceptor has stated that I will have many opportunities to network during my time as an intern which will ultimately be beneficial in growing a network and expanding it. I will also have to meet with stakeholders in regards to the program that I am currently developing which could range from community organizations and other departments under the Fairfax County Government. Thus, I would have to utilize the skills that I have learned from being a community leader at Old Dominion University in order to build my network and work on collaboration with other organizations.