 Molly, Project Coordinator, Teen Tobacco Prevention and Cessation, North Carolina Institute for Public Health
UM SPH Degree: M.P.H. 1994, Health Behavior and Health Education
Other Degree: B.S. SUNY Cortland, 1987
How did you decide to pursue a career in the field of public health?
I enjoyed the work I did with the American Heart Association around tobacco legislation, heart disease and stroke and emergency care and knew I wanted to gain additional knowledge and skills in public health to further the health of communities. In particular, I enjoyed the work around increasing cigarette excise taxes in order to decrease the amount of youth and adults who initiate tobacco use. Reserach demonstrates that higher cigarette taxes are one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking among both youth and adults. Every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes will reduce youth smoking by about seven percent and overall cigarette consumption by about four percent. I was excited about gaining additional skills in public health policy and applying these skills to real life public health situations.
What is your dream job?
Working internationally on tobacco prevention, cessation and advocacy. On an global level, prevention of tobacco use could save 100 million lives in this century. This is an astonishing number and these deaths are preventable.
Already, about five million people a year - almost 14,000 every day - are killed by tobacco, more than are killed by any other single agent. Tobacco's global toll can be measured in many ways:
- Tobacco accounts for more than one in ten adult deaths around the world.
- By 2025, tobacco will kill 10 million people a year, 70 percent of them in developing countries.
- About 650 million people alive today will eventually be killed by tobacco - half of them in middle age, their most productive years
Tobacco prevention is an incredible public health opportunity that could save millions of lives globally.
What advice would you give to a student looking for an internship in public health?
Be proactive when searching for a placement that would meet your needs and interests. Don't be afraid to contact public health professionals in the field to find out more about their organizations and employment opportunities. When looking for an internship I contacted multiple agencies and set up face to face meetings with the appropriate people within these organizations. I asked many questions including: types of internships offered, the mission and goals of the organization, what specific projects the organization needed assistance with, who would be supervising me, etc.
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