Title: Students Find Place IN APHA IH Section
Author:
Section/SPIG: International Health
Issue Date:
When I first joined APHA, I felt some intimidation approaching “veteran” members of the IH Section. I thought I would not find a place in the Section or would be overlooked. On the other hand, I received quite the opposite reaction. Several members welcomed me and stressed the need to involve students more in the activities of the Section. As such, my goals as co-chair of the newly formed Students and Young Professionals Committee are to help students and young professionals feel part of the IH Section and increase student involvement.
There are plenty of opportunities to become involved in the Section especially during the Annual Meeting in San Francisco. I encourage you to approach and interact with any of the Section members during the scientific sessions, business meetings, the Section awards and social hour and Section luncheon. The members are very interested in welcoming you and learning about your interests and experiences. Students are strongly encouraged by the Section leadership to attend business meetings. During these meetings you will have an opportunity to learn more about Section issues as well as visit with members in a more casual and smaller setting.
Two final tips: Be proactive and bring along business cards (if you have them).
Of interest particularly to new student APHA members is the Public Health Student Caucus (PHSC), a student-led international organization within APHA representing students of public health and other health-related disciplines. It will hold an orientation and welcome session (# 3241.0) on November 17 from 12:30 to 2p.m.. The PHSC student social will be held later that evening and will be going until 12a.m. Be sure to stop by after the IH Section social.
I am happy to announce the popular Launching Your Career in International Health session sponsored by the Public Health Student Caucus and co-sponsored by the International Health Section will be offered again this year (#4236.0), November 18, 2:30-4PM. For more information about this and other sessions sponsored by the Public Health Student Caucus or the International Health Section at the Annual Meeting visit <www.apha.org/meetings>.
Currently, I am gathering contact information for all current student and young professional IH Section members. Please take a moment to send your name and e-mail address to <ihstuden@u.washington.edu> if you would like to be placed on the e-mail list (Note there is no “t” at the end of the username - ihstuden). This list will be used to announce Section news, issues, job opportunities, and connect student and young professional members to each other. Also, if you would like to be involved with the Student and Young Professionals committee, please note this in your e-mail message. I look forward to meeting many of you at the Annual Meeting!
---Melissa Carbine, Co-Chair, Student and Young Professionals Committee