Title: Section Business Update: Be a Friend; Be a Mentor
Author:
Section/SPIG: Health Administration
Issue Date:
HAS members are encouraged to "adopt a student" at the Annual Meeting in San Francisco this November. LaTonia Peters, MPH, our HAS Student Affairs Co-Chairperson, is setting up a process to match students from the field of health administration with experienced professionals. While the APHA Student Caucus has developed a formal process to match students with mentors through their Web site for year-round support, this is a unique opportunity to meet in an informal setting.
Students are often overwhelmed with the scope of the APHA Annual Meeting -- most people are when they experience APHA for the first time. We would like seasoned HAS veteran's to sign up to "take a student to lunch," or just to spend some quality time with them during the meeting. You can host a student at a business meeting, during the HAS social, while making connections at the "New Connections" Sunday evening social, or during any HAS scientific session. There are limitless opportunities.
It's a win-win situation for everyone involved. Students get a chance to hear from leading experts in the field -- we have members from every background and specialty -- we can match people based on field of interest, region, academic affiliations, etc. Mentors/sponsors can provide key networking opportunities for the students by introducing them to other APHA members and leaders in the organization. And I was serious about taking a student to lunch or dinner -- you remember being a student, don't you? Read the article from Giorgio to find a restaurant in your price range!
The sponsoring mentors win because they can see the conference with fresh eyes and learn from someone with new ideas and boundless enthusiasm. Do you want to talk high tech? Talk with a student! Besides, we will need these new recruits to take over positions in leadership with the HAS some day; why not invest some time and energy in a hands-on training program right now!
We are still working out the details to match mentors and students, so be sure to watch for updates on the Health Administration Listserv, and check back on our Web site. Additional information will be available at the HAS booth in the Exhibit Hall. We want YOU to answer this call; please consider how you can help.