Program
Master of Public Health (MPH '22)
What has been your pathway since graduation?
After graduating from the University of Calgary with a Bachelors of Kinesiology, I worked in areas of community health promotion and recreation. In 2018, I started the MPH program as it gave me the flexibility to advance my knowledge and skills but to also continue working, making a career shift away from recreation. During my studies, I was fortunate to be hired by Alberta Blue Cross in 2021 as a Wellness Partnerships and Innovation Specialist and I am currently in the same role today.
How did your time in the School of Public Health Sciences (SPHS) help you get to where you are today?
The most important consideration for why I enrolled in the program was so that I could continue to gain work experience while advancing my education. I believe that the enrolling in the program part-time helped open the door to my role today. Although I didn’t work directly in the field when I started the program, I believe that my enrollment helped me find my position.
What has been the greatest lesson learned since graduation?
As silly as it may sound, my greatest lesson is that there is more to this field than meets the eye. I have learned to be open to experiences including new projects that are beyond my comfort zone and not to seek the idea of the “perfect” role.
What did you enjoy the most about your program in SPHS?
I enjoyed connecting with others and learning from my colleagues. Everyone in the program had such diverse backgrounds and experiences and it helped to strengthen my understanding of the program material.
What advice would you give students interested in your field?
Your career path towards your end goal or dream job will not always be linear, you may take steps sideways, or what even may feel like steps backwards. My advice would be to trust in the process and that you will get to where you need to be. Continue to seek opportunities and connect with people, as every door that opens is another one to explore!
What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned from your work?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned from my diverse roles is we will all try to put our best foot forward, but things will go sideways. So, don’t be afraid to ask for advice, lean into your team and don’t be afraid to fail because there is so much more to learn when things don’t go as planned. It is difficult to predict every possible outcome and sometimes the best lessons we learn are when we didn’t see the outcome but can plan for it in the future.
What skills do employers look for in new graduates?
In my opinion, I believe the most valuable skill that employers will look for new graduates is the ability to critically think, and problem solve. It takes patience, perseverance and willingness to learn and grow from mistakes.
Learn more about me!
Connect with Anita on LinkedIn.