Student SPHere 2008-09

OK, I admit this may be about one part reflection to 10 parts projection...but I'm excited! I can't help it.

I want to go on and on about all the stuff that's falling into place for summer and next fall, but I'll hold myself back for a second because the past two semesters have been important in getting it all rolling.

At first I was a little nervous for that point in my programs where I would, for the most point, have my core courses and requirements wrapped up and be set free to sort of do my own thing with intervention and elective credits. Not that I was worried I wouldn't be able to find anything -- I was worried I wouldn't be able to cross anything off the list of possibilities!

But this first year has, I think, taught me how to expand and contract my focus at the same time in the way that's going to work out best for me in the end. I've figured out some stuff about the skills I have (communication), should probably get (evaluation) and will need in the future (all...); the topics that definitely interest me (refugees), might interest me (animals) and don't interest me at all (no comment); and, to some degree, the types of work I'd love to do (communications, program planning) vs. the types of work I'd hate (sitting in a cubicle with no human contact and SAS).

In that spirit, I signed up for some fabulous-sounding classes for May term, summer and fall:

May term
- CSPH 5321: Public Health Priorities in the Developing World
- CSPH 5000: Animals in Healthcare

Summer
- PUBH 6102: Issues in Environmental and Occupational Health (online)
- PUBH 6751: Principles of Management in Health Services Organizations (online)

Fall
- JOUR 8195 Online Media Creation & Design
- NURS 5221 Refugee Health: Trauma, Stress & Coping
- PUBH 6066: Community Building & Health
- PUBH 6078: Public Health Policy as a Prevention Strategy
- PUBH 6035: Applied Research Methods
- PUBH 6741: Ethics in Public Health: Professional Practice & Policy

I think it's a good mix of topics and skills classes, and I'm sure I'll be both busy and fascinated. As usual. Now if I can just plow through the next few weeks!