It’s that time of the year again when everyone is thinking about their goals for the semester. You hear your classmates telling you about their fantastic new research position and the work they are doing that makes it seem like they are miles ahead of you, and you may be thinking that everyone has their lives together except for you. Sometimes you just don’t know where to start, and that first step toward action is always the hardest. Here at Rollins, there are countless professors who want to help you, so here are a few quick tips on how to reach out to your professors for career advice, potential research opportunities, or more.
Use your resources.If you don’t yet know what you might be interested in working on in the future, there are so many resources to help you. You can schedule a meeting with your faculty advisor or an ADAP to talk about your experience and career interests, and they will point you in the right direction. They are here to help you, so there is no need to be scared to reach out to them for help or advice.
Ask around.If you have an idea of the field you might want to work in, but don’t know any faculty to reach out to, ask your friends and classmates if they have any helpful information! Our student body here has such a diverse range of interests that you may be able to use your connections with your peers to find interesting projects to work on. They may have taken a class with a professor in that field or have worked on a similar research project in the past. They can connect you with other people with similar interests.
Do your research. There are so many research centers here at Rollins or otherwise connected to Emory. Make a list of topics you are interested in, and thoroughly research all the related organizations or departments within Emory or closely connected to the University. You will find many faculty members to reach out to, and you can read about ongoing, past, or future research you might want to learn more about.
Compose a thoughtful email. Finally, you can use all of this information to reach out to faculty you might be interested in working with. Not all professors will be actively doing research or looking for assistance, but you will always be better off reaching out to them if you are interested in their work or career. You could make an important connection or be referred to another professor doing similar work. You may be surprised with the opportunities you come across this way. Read this article for tips on how to compose your initial email!
As we begin this new semester, you may be excited to take on all of your different classes, jobs, internships, and life responsibilities. At the same time, you might be feeling concerned or stressed about juggling all of them, and wondering how you will ever do it. Developing good habits to take care of yourself is not only essential for your overall well-being, but also a key strategy to stay on top of your responsibilities and prevent burnout. And if burnout does rear its head, knowing how to navigate it is just as crucial. Let’s explore some effective strategies to deal with burnout if it does arise.
Creating Good Habits to Prevent Burnout:
1. Prioritize Self-Care: In all the hustle and bustle of student life, it’s easy to neglect self-care. Remember that taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health is most important. Allocate time for activities that make you feel refreshed, relaxed, or accomplished – whether it’s reading, exercising, practicing mindfulness, or enjoying hobbies. Self-care is not a luxury — it’s a necessity.
2. Set Realistic Boundaries: The demands of school, work, and life can be all-consuming. Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life is crucial. Designate specific times for studying, research, and relaxation. Create a schedule that allows for focused work periods and regular breaks. This practice not only prevents burnout but can also increase your overall productivity.
3. Stay Connected: Being isolated can only make you feel worse. Staying connected with your peers, professors, and mentors. If you don’t know where to find people with similar interests, you can start by checking the Corq app (or The Hub) to find dozens of upcoming events that cover a wide range of topics and clubs. Creating a support system here at Emory will do wonders for your mental health, and you will see the benefits of this in other areas of your life as well.
4. Quality Sleep and Nutrition: Sleep and nutrition directly impact your energy and well-being. Prioritize getting enough restful sleep and maintaining a balanced diet. These basic practices fuel your ability to cope with the demands of academia.
Navigating Burnout:
1. Recognize the Signs: Burnout often starts subtly – increased exhaustion, reduced motivation, and a growing sense of stress and cynicism. Recognize these signs early on to take action before burnout takes over.
2. Seek Help and Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Talk to friends, family, mentors, or counseling services provided by your institution. Sharing your feelings and seeking advice can provide much-needed relief and perspective. Emory offers excellent mental healthcare, including free telehealth therapy for eligible students with the TimelyCare app. You can learn more about some of those resources here.
3. Reevaluate Goals: Reflect on your goals, both academic and personal. Are they realistic and attainable? Adjusting your expectations can alleviate the pressure contributing to burnout.
4. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Recognize that burnout is a common challenge, not a personal failure. Treat yourself with the same compassion you would offer a friend facing a difficult situation.
5. Take Breaks: Sometimes, stepping back is the best step forward. If burnout is looming, take a day off to recharge. Engage in activities you enjoy, spend time with loved ones, or simply relax.
6. Learn and Grow: Use burnout as a learning opportunity. Reflect on its causes and triggers. This self-awareness can help you develop strategies to prevent its recurrence in the future.
By prioritizing your well-being, nurturing good habits, and staying attentive to the signs of burnout, you can achieve success while safeguarding your mental and physical health. Remember, taking care of yourself is an investment that pays off not only in your academic journey, but in all areas of your life. So, take a deep breath, embrace healthy habits, and navigate the challenges of grad school with resilience and self-compassion.
As we wrap up the semester’s classes and dive into finals week, it can feel like pushing through the final stretch of a marathon. We have already put in countless hours on homework, projects, and note taking, and now it is time to put our newfound skills to the test. Here are a few tips to manage stress levels and make the most of your study sessions this finals week:
Practice healthy habits: although it is tempting to put your healthy habits on the back burner in favor of some extra study minutes during finals week, holding on to them can actually improve academic performance. Be sure to eat nutritious foods, exercise, and get enough sleep at night. I really enjoy breaking up my study time with short walks to get exercise without throwing my schedule off.
Try out different study methods: consider mixing up the method that you use to study. Sometimes, it can be hard to stick to the same exact thing for hours (or days) on end. Trying a new method (like the ones linked here or others) can help keep you engaged and to retain material more effectively. My favorite is the Pomodoro method, where I break up my studying into chunks of time so that I can incorporate short breaks.
Consider putting your phone in another room: when your phone is sitting on your desk right next to your textbook, it can be hard to resist the urge to pick it up when your mind starts to wander. It has been found that the mere presence of your phone can be distracting and have negative impacts on memory (even if you manage to resist the urge to pick it up). Placing your phone in another room or in an out-of-sight location can help mitigate these effects.
Connect with friends and family: if feelings of stress related to finals week get overwhelming, don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and family to chat. Socialization can have positive impacts on mental health and is important to incorporate into our finals week routines.
Take advantage of university resources: check the Emory University Center for Student Wellbeing for mental wellbeing resources. These are here for you to utilize, so do not hesitate to explore them. Remember that your performance this finals week does not define you and that your mental health comes first!
Many students are likely just starting to dig into their APEs, but starting a new position can oftentimes feel confusing and directionless at first. If you’re not sure what you’re supposed to be doing at all times, rest assured you’re not alone. While 200 hours can feel like a relatively short amount of time to figure everything out in time to actually accomplish something substantial, there’s so much more to get out of this experience besides your deliverables. Here are a few tips to make the most of your APE!
Get to know your colleagues. Whether it be fellow students, your PI, or staff at the organization you’re working at, these could be your future bosses and coworkers. Take some time to introduce yourself to everyone you might be working with. Regardless of if you work for this organization long term, the better your colleagues get to know you the more likely they may be to write you a letter of recommendation or pass along your resume to their peers.
Keep busy. Its easy to enjoy the slow pace that may come at the beginning of a job or between projects, but you don’t want to be caught off guard when your supervisor asks what you’ve been doing recently. If you have nothing to work on, make sure your boss knows it. You can also try reaching out to your colleagues and asking if they need help on any projects they may be working on. If you still find yourself with nothing to do, use that time to teach yourself something new, like new SAS code, or read up on the field you’re working in. Showing this kind of initiative is sure to benefit you in the long run!
Reflect on your experience. Chances are you pick up some new skills to add on your resume during your APE. Taking the time to think about what you’ve learned, maybe by listing out your skills or journaling about your daily activities, will help you in the future when you need to articulate what you did in a cover letter or are asked to explain in a job interview. Keeping notes like these throughout your APE experience can be helpful as well in order to keep track of what you’ve accomplished and what you still need to work on.
Whether you’re almost finished with your APE already or are still looking for your practicum experience these tips are useful to keep in mind. Your APE is a great way to dip your toes into what your future job as an epidemiologist could look like. Love it or hate, you’re learning something that you didn’t know before.
If you’re anything like me, you probably have a few go-to podcasts that you like to keep up with. Since starting at Rollins, I’ve been exploring new podcasts related to public health and epidemiology. They’ve been super helpful in staying informed about current events and happenings in the world of public health. So far, I have found 7 standouts that I definitely think every budding epidemiologist should give a listen to. I personally listen to all of these on Spotify, but they can be found pretty much wherever you get your podcasts.
This Podcast Will Kill You – Exactly Right Media. TPWKY is hosted by Dr. Erin Welsh (PhD) and Dr. Erin Allmann Updyke (MD, PhD). They are both epidemiologists and disease ecologists who go over a different disease/medical mystery in each episode. So far, they have explored both chronic and infectious diseases from alpha-gal syndrome to Parkinson’s to hand foot mouth disease. As of today, there are 155 episodes with new ones being released weekly. As an added bonus, every episode features a “quarantini” cocktail recipe and a non-alcoholic “placeborita” recipe.
Public Health Epidemiology Conversations – Dr. CH Huntley, Epidemiologist. This podcast is my go-to for career advice and resources. Dr. Huntley (PhD) covers topics like networking, health equity, and choosing career paths in public health. Dr. Huntley frequently invites guests from all areas of public health onto the podcast, giving them a platform to share fresh perspectives on the topic at hand. Episodes are often shorter than the typical podcast (10-30 minutes long), making the podcast perfect for busy MPH students looking to get a jump on their careers.
Patient Zero – New Hampshire Public Radio. This limited-series podcast hosted by Taylor Quimby dives deep into the Lyme disease epidemic across 7 episodes. Patient Zero took me be surprise, as I was not particularly interested in Lyme disease prior to listening. However, the episodes were very engaging and I feel much more informed about the epidemic after listening. I would definitely recommend giving it a try!
America Dissected – Incision Media LLC. On America Dissected, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (MD, DPhil) explores a wide variety of topics that influence our health, including racism, corporate capitalism, and so-called “wellness” influencers. Dr. El-Sayed reminds us that public health is a holistic topic impacted by almost all facets of society, and I have enjoyed the way that he investigates the context of these connections. As someone interested in infectious disease epidemiology, I have found that America Dissected has kept me thinking about issues public health beyond just infectious disease.
The Cost of Care – Lemonade Media. This is another limited-series podcast that every epidemiologist should tune into. Hosted by health economist David Smith, the Cost of Care teaches the listener about the healthcare system in America and explores some potential solutions to fix some of the issues that exists within it. Despite having no background in economics, I found this podcast very palatable, so don’t let Smith’s background deter you from giving it a try!
Everything is Public Health – MJ and Cass. Similarly to America Dissected, this podcast dives into the ways that various systems in society are related to public health. The hosts have explored topics that I had never considered through a public health lens, and I definitely feel like I have become a more well-rounded student since I have started listening. Episodes are relatively short at around 25 minutes each, so I would definitely recommend squeezing them into your weekly routine!
Truthers: Tiffany Dover is Dead – NBC News. This limited-series podcast explores the bizarre conspiracy theory that nurse Tiffany Dover was replaced by a body double after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination in December 2020. Host Brandy Zadrozny, who is a reporter, does a great job in breaking down the origins of the conspiracy and how it played a role in the frenzy of vaccine related misinformation that was all to prevalent in the early days of the rollout. I remember hearing about this conspiracy in real time, so I enjoyed having it unpacked in its entirety.
This post was originally published on March 13, 2022.
I have been fortunate to serve as an Adjunct Faculty member at RSPH since 2001 where I teach the Introduction to the US Health Care System Course (HPM 500). Adjunct faculty members are part-time faculty members who bring expertise from their professions to the classroom. In my case, my career at CDC has spanned over 34 years where my current responsibilities include tracking trends in cardiovascular risk factors and diseases and engaging in epidemiologic and health services research to support evidence-based practice, policies, and programs.
When students learn about my career at CDC, I am often asked two questions: how did you end up working at CDC and how can I get a job at CDC? The answer to the first question warrants a separate blog entry, so I will focus on the second. Based upon my experience as a hiring manager at CDC, I would like to review the most common and effective paths to landing a position at CDC:
Pre-Employment, Fellowship and Training Programs (a.k.a. “Getting Your Foot in the Door”)
CDC actively participates in two community engaged learning programs sanctioned by the RSPH, i.e., the Applied Practice Experience Program (APE) and the Rollins Earn and Learn (REAL) Program. These are important practical learning experiences and are often a prospective employee’s first experience with the agency. CDC also has an Epidemiology Elective Program (EEP) for medical students to experience applied epidemiology through a hands-on experience and mentorship by CDC subject matter expert. Only MD/MPH, MD/MSPH, MD/PHD or equivalent students are eligible (Epidemiology Elective Program | CDC). My division utilizes these three frequently. These are frequently utilized across CDC.
STEM Internships and Fellowships, typically referred to as ORISE Fellowships (Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education) (STEM Internships and Fellowships – ORISE (orau.gov)), are frequently used by CDC and offer a good introductory experience for masters and doctoral degree job seekers. These fellowships often immerse the individual into important programmatic and priority areas at CDC. These positions often lead to opportunities to better compete for more permanent FTE positions or contractor positions. CDC recruits many fellows from this program.
The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program is a two-year leadership development and training program for advanced degree candidates (i.e., Master’s, Doctoral, and Juris Doctorate). The goal of the program is for fellows to have the opportunity to work in different areas in the federal government before converting into a permanent/career-conditional position at the end of their two years. Detailed information on the PMF Program at CDC: Overview | Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program | CDC. Although this program is very competitive, RSPH had many PMF candidates accepted into the program last year that matched with CDC.
The Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) is a highly competitive, 2-year post-graduate fellowship in applied epidemiology. This CDC program is a unique combination of on-the-job-learning and service. Investigating outbreaks in the field is integral to the EIS experience (Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Home Page | CDC). Emory graduates have competed well for these positions and many EIS graduates remain at CDC.
Finally, CDC may also consider volunteer (guest researcher) positions for students not participating in these two programs. These volunteer positions, although less common, are established by mutual agreement of the CDC office and the individual student. These are non-paid and are often a by-product of professional networking.
We intentionally utilize these as recruitment opportunities to identify future applicants for full-time employment opportunities when they graduate or complete these programs (see Full-Time Employment below).
Securing Full-Time Employment
Full-time employment in the Federal Government takes many forms with each having very specific requirements, such as citizenship, academic training, work experience, criminal history, etc. There are three main avenues for full-time equivalent (FTE) positions: Title 5, Title 42, and Commissioned Corps.
The most desired positions are permanent Title 5 and represent most of the jobs posted on the USA Jobs and CDC Websites (USAJOBS – The Federal Government’s official employment site and Careers Home | Careers at CDC | CDC). These positions often attract hundreds of applicants and may take months to fill. These websites also list temporary and term-limited positions. Make sure you note whether the positions you are applying for are permanent or term-limited (temporary). My advice is to apply to as many of these positions that you are interested in and qualified for. I cannot stress the importance of reviewing these postings carefully for the qualifications and other requirements. Follow the instructions exactly. Most, if not all, of these positions are restricted to US Citizens only.
There are also FTE positions where both US Citizens and Non-citizens are eligible. These are Service Fellowships (Title 42) based upon your level of education and professional experience. These are categorized as Distinguished, Senior, or Associate Service Fellows. There are not technically permanent but can be renewed every five years with no limit on the number of renewals. Benefits and years of service calculations are very similar to Title 5 employees. There are many federal employees that have remained a Title 42 employee their entire career.
The USPHS Commissioned Corps is one of the nation’s uniformed services — a branch committed to the service of health. Officers advance our nation’s public health, serving in agencies across the government, as physicians, nurses, dentists, veterinarians, scientists, engineers, and other professionals. CDC actively employees USPHS Commissioned Corps Officers (Explore Opportunities | Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (usphs.gov)).
Simply put, there are many roads to Federal service and careers at CDC. There is no one process or strategy that stands out. However, I would argue for the “PPF Approach,” i.e., patience, persistence, and flexibility. The journey is never fast and may take a different path, or combination of paths, than you first imagined.
Robert Merritt is a graduate of Washington and Lee University, Emory University and The University of the South (Sewanee) where he received academic training in sociology & anthropology, medical sociology, public health, and research methods & statistics. His research career has spanned over 30 years with positions at the Smithsonian Institution (SI), Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He is currently working as a health scientist in the Division for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention (DHDSP) at CDC.
As a continuation of his last two articles, Robert Merritt talks about how to make the most of your career in public services. To read his previous article “The Many Roads to Federal Service at CDC” click here and to read his article “An Accidental Career in Public Health” click here! This article was originally published in April 2022.
Written by: Robert Merritt
One of my responsibilities as a senior scientist and manager at CDC is to foster the development of young professionals. I take this very seriously and encourage all my peers to do the same. I’d like to offer some thoughts and advice to those of you that might be considering a career in public service. Although these are drawn from my work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they would also apply to work at a variety of other public federal, state, or local agencies (and even many non-profit organizations).
First and foremost, remember: “It’s not about you.”
Public service is focused on others. Currently, the public sector is, without a doubt, a very challenging place to work. Intense scrutiny, vocal criticism, unpredictable resources, and volatile politics will test your mettle, sheer will, and selfless service every day. It is work that aims to support the general welfare and needs of all citizens. This career choice is not about money or fame, but about understanding where we are as a society and how to make it better in some meaningful way. It has been said that public servants have some core qualities (or attributes) that enable them to successfully navigate and contribute to public service. These, in my opinion, are willingness to learn, desire to help others, and an ability to engage people.
Will to Learn
The fact that most of us have (or will soon have) a graduate degree does not negate the need for lifelong learning. Common sense dictates that continuous quality learning is important to every endeavor – especially professional development and success. Therefore, eagerness and craving for new information are essential. To make a positive difference, you should seek to constantly refresh your understanding and learn to adapt to change. My experience is that knowledge and the half-life of knowledge (the length of time that knowledge stays active and accurate) diminish over time.
I strongly urge each new member of my team to seek as many opportunities to learn as they can. What does this mean? Don’t just sit idle and inwardly reflect on your newly acquired book knowledge! Apply your knowledge, skills, and abilities by actively engaging and putting them to practical use! Get to know your colleagues and their expertise through informational meetings. Learn about emerging and new priorities by attending seminars and grand rounds. Join a journal club or community of practice (COP) on a topic of interest. Register for some of the hundreds of training courses sponsored by the agency.
To be successful, you need to be adept at lifelong learning and understand that what you learn now may not be the same in the future – so you need to keep ahead of the curve. Make yourself as informed, well-rounded, and observant of the world as possible.
Make a Difference
The public sector exists to bring services to people, so those working as public servants should have a strong desire to work on behalf of others. As advocates for positive change, leaders in public service know that their positions come with a profound sense of duty. Every public servant has an important role to play, whether they serve as executives, administrators, project officers, program officials, medical officers, epidemiologists, health scientists, or statisticians.
Therefore, the best route to accountability is through public sector professionals who really dedicate themselves to making a difference. We need to invest in the people of our civil service system by developing their skills and strengthening their standards, so they understand the real importance of good governance and the critical role of accountability. The key to future, continued good governance and accountability lies in the way in which we recruit, train, develop, manage, and lead our future public servants. In the end, we are accountable to the citizens we serve.
Engage Others
Public service is not a solo exercise. It’s a team sport. If you want to make a difference in the public sector, you must be ready to include and engage others as part of your work. Think beyond your own organizational perspective and look at things from the viewpoint of our citizens, including (but not limited to) taxpayers, legislators, grantees (city, county, state, tribal, territorial health departments), voluntary and non-government organizations, other Federal agencies, and global partners.
I realized early in my career that the more connections one makes, the more opportunities present themselves. Public service (especially at CDC) is an area in which employees are encouraged to continuously develop professionally. Therefore, creating a wide-reaching professional network opens many doors, simply by establishing relationships with others.
At my agency, I advise participating in meetings scheduled by your immediate group of colleagues (supervisor, team leader, and branch chief), Division, Center, or Agency; employee organizations and associations (there are over 30); workgroups (there are 12); and/or other advisory groups, boards, committees, and councils (there are over 10). Get involved and put yourself out there!
Ultimately, it is entirely what you make of it: if you do not make the effort to develop professionally, your experience will not be as beneficial as it could be. With the right experience and research, you can change your life–and help others at the same time!
Robert Merritt is a graduate of Washington and Lee University, Emory University, and The University of the South (Sewanee) where he received academic training in sociology & anthropology, medical sociology, public health, and research methods & statistics. His research career has spanned over 30 years with positions at the Smithsonian Institution (SI), Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He is currently working as a health scientist in the Division for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention (DHDSP) at CDC.
As you all have (hopefully) heard a million times by now, tomorrow (November 5th) is election day! RSPH classes will not be meeting synchronously, and those who have not yet voted are encouraged to use the day to submit their vote. Polls will be open from 7am-7pm on Tuesday, November 5th.
Here are a few reminders about the importance of civic engagement from Tereza Lewis from the Emory Votes Initiative (a nonpartisan initiative that fosters a civically engaged campus by providing voter information, increasing voter turnout, and empowering our community with credible political resources):
Why is it important for Emory students to register and vote in this upcoming election?
Tereza: Elections and voting are an essential component of a healthy democracy. While it’s not perfect, it certainly provides an important temperature check on what the status of our society is. We can currently see that if voting didn’t matter, there wouldn’t be attempts to stop it or challenge it. Moreover, we don’t only elect candidates but important measures and policies which can have a direct impact on our communities.
Where can students find more information about the candidates on the ballot to make an informed voting decision?
Tereza: There are endless possibilities for how to find more information on the candidates and measures. The most important step is to know what’s on your ballot. You can find the information on the my voter page closer to the voting period or look up a general version on Ballotpedia.
For more information, please visit the Emory Votes Initiative webpage or visit the Rollins Election Day Initiative on social media (@emoryredi on X and @emory.redi on Instagram).
At some point since starting at Rollins, you have probably heard a faculty member, guest speaker, or classmate mention their LinkedIn profile. Some of you may be longtime LinkedIn users and others may be considering joining the platform for the first time. No matter where you fall on this spectrum, you may be wondering how you can make use of the resources that LinkedIn offers to its users. Here are some dos and don’ts for navigating LinkedIn as an epidemiologist:
DO:
Follow Rollins School of Public Health! The RSPH page routinely posts about upcoming opportunities and articles that can help stay up to date on new research and happenings in the world of public health. You can also use the “Alumni” tab on the page to browse classmates and graduates that have added Rollins to their own profile.
Use LinkedIn to keep up with other public health organizations. Many organizations of interest such as the CDC, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and the American Cancer Society use LinkedIn to post job opportunities and updates to their programs. By navigating to the “People” tab on an organizations page, you can also browse current/former employees. If you see someone who is doing work that you are interested in, you can connect with or follow them to stay up to date on their research.
Keep up with your classmates. Consider connecting with folks you meet in your classes here at Rollins. The world of public health is small, and you may find that LinkedIn can help you get back in touch with a classmate who is doing work you are interested in after graduation. This can make networking easier!
Update your profile/make posts as you accomplish new things. LinkedIn allows you to showcase almost everything that you are doing at Rollins, from REAL jobs to student organizations to certifications you have obtained. By keeping your profile up to date, you put your best foot forward in the event that a potential employer views your profile. If you already have a resume, you can likely reuse that material to update your LinkedIn.
Browse the “Jobs” tab on your LinkedIn homepage. Based on the experiences you have listed on your profile, LinkedIn may recommend jobs that seem aligned with your skills. This can be a good jumping-off point for a job search. While this can definitely be a good resource, be sure to check the website of the job posting before applying, as LinkedIn job postings may be created automatically and can sometimes leave out important job details or requirements that are featured on the employer’s website.
DON’T:
Don’t use LinkedIn as your only resource during a job hunt. When searching for a job, you do not want to close yourself off to any potential opportunities. Some employers do not use LinkedIn, so be sure to explore beyond one website. Like I said above, LinkedIn can be a good starting point during a job search, but it is important to use all of your resources, such as 12Twenty (or the Confounder!).
Don’t share information you do not feel comfortable having available publicly. While I have included keeping your profile updated in the “Do” section, it is important to remember that it is never required to post something on LinkedIn that you do not want to. Using LinkedIn is entirely optional, and some folks may choose not use it at all. Remember that there are always other ways to network and it is totally fine to say no to posting on/using LinkedIn.
Don’t spend too much time on LinkedIn if it is impacting your mental health! While it can be a great resource for networking, it can also be draining to be constantly comparing yourself to the successes that your colleagues have posted about on LinkedIn. Studies have even found that using LinkedIn can be associated with feelings of impostor syndrome. At the end of the day, everyone’s career moves at a different pace and people only typically post about their successes. It is important to avoid comparing yourself to the deliberately curated profiles that are posted to LinkedIn. If you notice your mental health being impacted by LinkedIn, take some time away from the platform. Remember that it is not the only way to network or find jobs and that your mental health comes first!
As we make our way through the heart of midterms, you may be looking for something new to do to de-stress. Luckily, a former Rollins student curated the perfect list of must-read books for every epidemiologist, which you can find here. This collection offers a diverse array of titles that seamlessly blend knowledge and storytelling. Get ready to expand your intellectual horizons with our recommended reads!
Last Valentine’s day my friends and I arranged a book exchange party similar to your typical white elephant Christmas game. I was expecting (okay, hoping) to have a plethora of fantasy, romance, or mystery novels to choose from, but was surprised when the overwhelming majority of books were nonfiction. Leave it to public health students to turn a romantic holiday into an educational opportunity. Reading the synopses off the back covers of these books, however, made me realize that there were plenty of intriguing stories from the world of public health to choose from, and my education on many of these topics was severely lacking. This led me to investigate epidemiology-related book options besides the requisite The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
I’ll be honest, I rarely do the readings for any of my classes. While I’ve been known to spend an embarrassing amount of time in the YA section of bookstores, I don’t often buy our course textbooks. If you’re like me and prefer a book with a plot than an educational motive, then maybe one of these books will be a good entrance into the world of educational readings. Here’s a list of 8 books to start with as an epidemiologist:
Spilloverby David Quammen- If you’re interested in infectious or zoonotic diseases this is the book for you. The book’s author, David Quammen, investigates the causes and impact of spillover, the phenomenon in which a new pathogen is passed to humans from wildlife. He tracks the origins of diseases like ebola or avian flu while following scientists around the globe through remote jungle and high security labs.
The Ghost Map by Steven Berlin Johnson- Read about the father of field epidemiology, John Snow, in this work which tells the story of the 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak. If you want to learn more about the most intense cholera outbreak in Victorian London and understand the role community played in the evolution of epidemiology, pick up a copy of this book asap.
The Wisdom of Whores: Bureaucrats, Brothels, and the Business of AIDS by Elizabeth Pisani- If you’re looking for a witty take on a serious topic, read this. Pisani details her life as an AIDS epidemiologist and her plight for funding of HIV prevention programs among the most vulnerable communities.
Medical Apartheid by Harriet A. Washington- This book explores the dark history of the exploitation of black Americans by medical physicians and researchers. A must-read for anyone seeking to understand the roots of America’s racial health disparities and medical mistrust, Washington tells the stories of black Americans from the era of slavery to the present day in her book, calling out the injustices of America’s medical establishment.
House on Fire by Joseph Finder- If you’re still looking for a fiction novel then this thriller/crime mystery book may satisfy you. This story follows protagonist Nick Heller after he discovers his old friend has died of an opioid overdose. As he works to uncover a pharmaceutical company’s dark secrets in his attempt to hold someone accountable for his friend’s death, he becomes embroiled in a larger conspiracy than he’s bargained for.
Inside the Outbreaks by Mark Pendergast- For future Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) hopefuls this book is a great read. Readers will be taken through the history of the EIS and follow EIS officers around the world in their efforts to eliminate lethal threats to public health, from smallpox to gun violence.
Beating Back the Devil by Maryn Mckenna- Another book following the drama of life in the EIS, this book examines the complexities of a different officer’s work in every chapter. Following the first class of officers to enter the EIS after September 11, Mckenna also details the experience of considering bioterrorism for the first time.
The Next Pandemic by Ali S. Khan- In a chillingly accurate prediction of the current pandemic, this book is a lesson on how to keep ourselves safe from inevitable future pandemics as it narrates disasters like anthrax and Ebola and the ways they may have been prevented. Dr. Khan gives us insight into the human mistakes which led to these emergencies in his firsthand account of life as public health first responder.
Hopefully one of these books piques your interest, and gives you something a little more relaxing to do this winter break than working on your thesis or scouring 12Twenty for jobs and APE opportunities. If finals has you down, what better way to find motivation for next semester than a set of books reminding you why you’re needed in epidemiology?
GCDTR Seminar-Redefining Glucose Monitoring: AI-Powered Non-Invasive Innovations for Diabetes Management February 18, 2025 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Guest Lecture; tinyurl.com…
Online Location: https://tinyurl.com/Maria-Valero-de-ClementeEvent Type: Guest LectureSeries: GCDTR SeminarsSpeaker: Maria Valero de Clemente, PhDContact Name: Wendy GillContact Email: wggill@emory.eduRoom Location: RRR_R809Link: https://tinyurl.com/Maria-Valero-de-ClementeTalk with Maria Valero De Clemente, PhD, Assistant Professor in the College of Computing and Software Engineering, Department of Information Technology at Kennesaw State University (KSU) and Director of IoT as Service Research Group
Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Seminar February 20, 2025 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Seminar Series
Event Type: Seminar SeriesSeries: Biostatistics and Bioinformatics SeminarSpeaker: Xiaoming Huo, PhDContact Name: Mercedes LewisContact Email: mercedes.christina.lewis@emory.eduRoom Location: CNR_1000 Richard M. Levinson PhD ClassroomA Uniform Concentration Inequality for Kernel-Based Two-Sample Statistics
EGDRC Seminar - Access to Medicines: At Home and Around the World February 20, 2025 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Guest Lecture; Zoom
Online Location: ZoomEvent Type: Guest LectureSeries: EGDRC Seminar SeriesSpeaker: Jeremy Schwartz, MD, FACPContact Name: Wendy GillContact Email: wggill@emory.eduRoom Location: RRR_R205Link: https://tinyurl.com/Jeremy-SchwartzA talk by Jeremy Schwartz, MD, FACP, Associate Professor, General Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine; Associate Professor, Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health; Firm Chief, SLA3, Yale New Haven Hospital
Recent Comments