A2.Tie.In

 
Y o u r  C o n n e c t i o n  t o
  
  Issue 2, November 2006
 


 

 
 
 
A Day in the Life: Ashley Brandt

 
My first responsibility of the day is work.  I recently started a work-study position with The Center for Human Growth and Development, so I’m still finishing the training.  I’m working for the Special Moms, Special Babies project that is testing an intervention to help moms who are feeling depressed.  We’re hoping to help them interact with their babies in healthier ways. So far, I’ve been reading literature about infant mental health and development.  Today, my supervisor is showing me how to burn copies of the recorded intervention sessions – it may not sound like the most interesting thing, but I get to watch the videos of the intervention sessions with moms and their babies, which is pretty cool.

After work I jet across campus to the new Crossroads building for a special lunch with representatives from John Snow, Inc. (JSI) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS).  The lunch was set-up for the Global Health and Reproductive and Women’s Health IC students. We have the chance to talk with the reps about what they do, available jobs in international health, how the field is changing, and the qualities that employers are looking for.  Peter Menard, the coordinator of the Interdepartmental Concentrations (ICs), brings Whole Foods for lunch, so that is an added plus.

Next comes class.  Today is a Wednesday so I have HMP 640 (Evaluation) and HBHE 692 (Reproductive and Women’s Health IC Seminar).  I really love my evaluation class.  Paula Lantz teaches it and it’s so obvious that she loves what she does.  My enthusiasm for the class is especially strong today because the reps from both organizations (JSI and CRS) spoke in detail about the importance of evaluation skills.  I’m also excited about my IC seminar because we’re planning an event on campus in February or March to increase knowledge regarding the HPV vaccine.  

My day isn’t over yet.  Today I’m on campus until 9:00 p.m.  I volunteer with UHS as an HIV test counselor and tonight we’re conducting outreach testing at the Trotter House, the University of Michigan multicultural student center, from 7-9. We only have two people show up for testing.  This is something new for us, so we’re still trying to increase attendance at these outreach events.  It’s still worth it if we can test a few people who may not have been tested at UHS.

It’s been a long day, but I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot. I know that my work and volunteer experiences, in addition to academics, are preparing me for a career in public health.