Today, our alum is Katie Skinker, who graduated in 2006 with a degree in Public Health. Katie works as a Public Education Coordinator at the American Kidney Fund, a leading non-profit aiming "to provide direct, treatment-related financial assistance to kidney patients who are in need, and to provide health education to people with, or at-risk for, kidney disease," according to their Web site. Now, on with the questions.Was your job something that you did in your internship? (Claudia, Senior, Public Health)
Hi Claudia. Some elements of my job are similar to things I did while interning, but overall, my internship was different than my job. In both my internship and my current job, I’ve had the opportunity look at the needs of the community and develop health messaging and programs that helped meet those needs, but the focus and the ways in which I did that have been different.
For example, my internship was a little more focused on screening and prevention, and I was probably out at health fairs and community events as much as I was in the office. My current job, which includes drafting brochures and answering a national HelpLine, puts me a little more “behind the scenes,” but it’s still very hands-on.
I really enjoyed my internship, but I think that my current job is actually a much better fit for me. I feel very fortunate to have had the internship experience, as it helped me evaluate aspects of the job that I did and didn’t like. I was then able to narrow my job search accordingly and find something that I really like doing.
How helpful was your internship in opening doors for you, especially in terms of networking? Did you use your IWP at all? (Hooman, Senior, Public Health)
Hi Hooman. The internship was extremely helpful in opening doors for me. The world of public health is small, so networking can be very beneficial. More importantly, though, I feel like the internship allowed me to get the hands-on work experience and references I needed to get a job.
Coming out of college without any experience can make finding a job difficult. It seems like almost every employer wants prospective employees to have at least a few years of experience. The internship gives you the opportunity to show your capabilities, contribute to projects, and demonstrate your work ethic in a "real world" setting. It can give you just the edge you need.
You also asked about the IWP. I did use my IWP. I have to admit that I thought it might be a little unnecessary at first, but it was nice to have it to guide me through projects and keep me on track during the internship. The IWP is also a good way to make sure that you’re getting the experience you want from the internship. When you develop your IWP, think about the kinds of experience you want to get during the internship and try to build that in. Also, work plans don’t end with the internship, so it’s good to get used to them now!
I’m graduating in December 2009. When did you graduate, and how did you find a job? (Katya, Senior, Public Health)
Hi Katya. I graduated in May 2006. I actually found my job through a listing on the APHA website, though I later came across it on the Washington Post site, too. I was a little intimidated at the thought of delving into one specific topic (kidney disease) right away, without any prior coursework or experience in it. Still, I focused on the type of work I would be doing rather than the subject matter, and it has turned out to be a great fit for me.
When you look for a job, think about the things that are most important to you—whether it’s a specific topic or a type of work. Use your coursework, internship and other experiences to help you pinpoint what those things are. Then, try to keep your mind open on other aspects.
What do employees at the American Kidney Fund do? (Katie, Senior, Public Health)
Hi Katie. The main purpose of the American Kidney Fund (AKF) is to provide financial assistance to dialysis and transplant patients, and so much of the organization is devoted to either fund raising or administering grants. In the past several years, though, there has been more and more emphasis placed on education and prevention. As a result, AKF now offers a brochure series, a national HelpLine, a screening program and regional conferences to educate patients, professionals and the general public.
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For more information about the American Kidney Fund, visit www.kidneyfund.org. If you would like to participate in our next "Ask an Alum" feature, please email rmcmahon@umd.edu.
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