Tell us about your background.
I went to Seton Hill University and received a degree in psychology. During my time there, I played NCAA Division II golf. Near the end of my undergraduate degree, I discovered my interest in public health and continued at Texas A&M University where I received my master’s in public health in Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences.
How did you find out about the student placement opportunity?
John Oeffinger came to the Texas A&M Public Health intern fair and we immediately hit it off. Texas Health Institute’s passion for transgender healthcare and helping the LGBTQ+ community resonated with me and I knew I had to be an intern at THI.
What was the most beneficial thing about your student placement experience?
Being a part of the program planning and creating process. I was able to experience what it is truly like to start a project that has never been created before, which most students rarely get to experience. The staff at THI were incredibly welcoming and answered all questions that I had during my time.
What are you doing now? Did your student placement help you in your job search?
I am working at a residential treatment facility for children who have been experienced trauma, abuse, and neglect. There I assist in behavior change of these children so they can move into a normal home settling whether it is by fostering or adoption. Yes, my internship showed me how the most vulnerable populations are treated and I wanted to continue this by giving back to a population that I am passionate about helping.
What advice would you give to future student placement students?
Ask every question you have. The wonderful staff at Texas Health Institute went above and beyond to answer my questions as well as showed me real life experiences.