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How can I get involved with the local community at college?
I'm an incoming Freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, and I'm very interested in Public Health. I would love to make an impact on the surrounding community and improve health equity.
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Irene’s Answer
Hello Kathryn
Have you thought about volunteering with your local department of health? Does the University have placement for volunteer opportunities in the fields you are interested in? Does the local hospital in your community have volunteer programs you can join? Does your local house of worship have health/wellness ministries you can volunteer with? Do you have shelters for the homeless/migrants you can reach out-they usually offer health services or are partnered with a health service that you can volunteer with.
Have you thought about volunteering with your local department of health? Does the University have placement for volunteer opportunities in the fields you are interested in? Does the local hospital in your community have volunteer programs you can join? Does your local house of worship have health/wellness ministries you can volunteer with? Do you have shelters for the homeless/migrants you can reach out-they usually offer health services or are partnered with a health service that you can volunteer with.
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Nikki’s Answer
Hi Kathryn!
If there's a public health program at your school, speak to some of your public health professors, the dean of the program, and/or see if the alumni association has a mentorship program. They may be able to connect you with someone who graduated from the program who can guide you. Definitely also see if the school has a connection to the local health department. Good luck!
If there's a public health program at your school, speak to some of your public health professors, the dean of the program, and/or see if the alumni association has a mentorship program. They may be able to connect you with someone who graduated from the program who can guide you. Definitely also see if the school has a connection to the local health department. Good luck!
Updated
Ken’s Answer
Kathryn,
There are usually local professional organizations that use the campus for annual required educational for their members. These organizations typically have gatherings for their members and they typically invite college people in an attempt to encourage you to join their career field. It gives you opportunities to meet people in the industry, including public health. This is a good place to start. There are several public health organizations depending on the speciality you are interested. They have their unique certification requirements for their members and that is why they need the university.
Ken
There are usually local professional organizations that use the campus for annual required educational for their members. These organizations typically have gatherings for their members and they typically invite college people in an attempt to encourage you to join their career field. It gives you opportunities to meet people in the industry, including public health. This is a good place to start. There are several public health organizations depending on the speciality you are interested. They have their unique certification requirements for their members and that is why they need the university.
Ken
Updated
Hwal’s Answer
Kathryn,
There are many things your can get involved in to make an impact on your local community. To make an impact in a way that improves health equity specifically, as you mentioned, I feel it's important to learn what health inequity is and what it looks and feels like on the ground. For this, I would suggest finding ways to engage with folks in your community who experience health inequities as well as those who are making efforts to address them. You could start by reaching out to the department of public health or community health if there is one. Your school may also have student clubs or organisations that engage in activities to help community members in all sorts of ways, such as free health care and meal deliveries.
Let me know if you have any specific questions I can help with.
Good luck!
Hwal
There are many things your can get involved in to make an impact on your local community. To make an impact in a way that improves health equity specifically, as you mentioned, I feel it's important to learn what health inequity is and what it looks and feels like on the ground. For this, I would suggest finding ways to engage with folks in your community who experience health inequities as well as those who are making efforts to address them. You could start by reaching out to the department of public health or community health if there is one. Your school may also have student clubs or organisations that engage in activities to help community members in all sorts of ways, such as free health care and meal deliveries.
Let me know if you have any specific questions I can help with.
Good luck!
Hwal