As 11 months at my public health fellowship comes and goes I’ve been doing some reflecting on life.
Though my community health fellowship has been a phenomenal experience where I have gained a lot. Life I have found to be a lot bigger than just my fellowship. Personally and professionally, I have been given time to think about how to approach the next stage of this journey.
I’m ever thankful for the experiences and everything I have learnt. But I know I can’t dwell on what has been. Because if I do dwell, then I will never push myself to the next great thing.
It’s important to put big wins into perspective. Yes, I was lucky and blessed to have gotten this fellowship. But one month from now, I will no longer be a fellow. I have to focus on looking forward while cherishing what has gotten me to where I am in life.
Let’s be like a river, and always be in a flowing (learning and growing) state.
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What’s Happening In My Life?
Context
To give some context to this all, here’s a brief summary of my fellowship:
In March 2019, before I graduated from UF’s MPH program, I accepted a one-year Community Health Fellowship at the Mat-Su Health Foundation in Wasilla, Alaska. My fellowship began in June 2019 and the contract ends on June 9th 2020. The sad part is that I was going to be offered a full time position upon contract ending, but with everything going on the position isn’t a priority and thus I am actively searching for a job. Aren’t we all?
Job Market
So I’ve been searching and applying to jobs all over North America and a little in the Caribbean (more searching). With COVID-19 going on, job searching has been interesting to say the least. All non-profit jobs have essentially disappeared, unless they are grant funded positions, and most public health jobs have been created in response to COVID-19 with many being just contractual assignments. Considering around 14%-25% of US citizens are currently unemployed – it has created a unique job market.
That means that almost 1 in 4 people in the US is unemployed, that reflects about 33.5 millions people being laid off. And then on the other end of things, everyone from their Masters and Bachelors has just graduated and is looking for a job while people that recently got laid off are looking for a job. And to add to this many companies have reduced capacity creating over-saturation in the job market.
My Focus
I essentially have one more month until I am unemployed. I have been trying to apply to jobs everyday and have gotten two interviews from over 15 applications with three rejections so far. I’ve really been trying to focus on the process of applying to jobs rather than the outcome – because that’s pretty depressing right now. Since my fellowship is with a Foundation, I have been thinking that I should try to stay on this tract for now, however there aren’t many jobs I qualify for in the Philanthropic field so it’s been tough. I’ve been hosting Job Calls on Zoom where I talk about how I’ve been searching for jobs and I’m looking into starting a weekly or bi-weekly ‘Public Health Call’ so make sure to subscribe to get more information on this.
My Mental Health
I’ve been dealing with some hard times personally. I’m thankful that I’ve been able to seek professional help through a therapist. I know I am privileged to have access to virtual counseling through my work (albeit only three sessions). This truly has been a lifeline for me to be able to cope with all the emotions that I have been feeling. Things have been tough, but taking everything day by day has really helped – some days being a lot better than others. I’ve been trying to start healthy habits to try to keep me out of the “dips”.
Thank you to all of you that reach out to say you read my blog or just reach out for questions – this has truly been something keeping me going. I’ve definitely leaned into thePHmillennial to help me get through this. Hope you all are also doing well and able to have access to mental health services if needed.
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Reflection
Be Thankful
Am I taking anything for granted?
I have been aiming be thankful, even during these uncertain times. Though I don’t know what’s going to happen next month, I’m thankful for the opportunity that I have had in my community health fellowship. I have learnt so much and gained great connections with co-workers and other persons around Alaska. During my 11 months, I have been able to grow and do meaningful work that improves the lives of communities. This is why I am thankful.
I am thankful to still have a job right now and be earning an income. This is not the case for many right now. I am thankful for good health and my family being safe.
At the end of the day, life is a lot bigger than the job you work at. And this time to reflect has truly taught me this. Be thankful for the little things in life, the big things will work themselves out eventually.
Change Doesn’t Have To Be Bad
Is this change good or bad?
If it’s one thing that I have grappled with in my life is that change is inevitable. Whether good or bad. But remembering that change doesn’t have to be bad. We usually get stuck in a rhythm of comfort where we perceive outside change as threatening to our flow and happiness. But in reality, growth only happens when we are pushed outside of the comfort zone. Though I may be unemployed by next month, I look forward to the opportunities that this presents.
I am able to move anywhere as it stands. Which is reflected in the broad places that I have applied to. I have the opportunity to show what I’ve learnt in a new context and to dig deeper into my self-resilience.
Though change may seem bad at first, there is usually a silver lining. Find and focus on the good that comes from all situations.
Goals Re-aligned
Am I achieving the goals that I have set for myself?
At the beginning of the year I set out 3 main goals for myself:
- Present at two conference
- Save $8,000 for house/rental property
- Read 26 Books
Thankfully, I have been able to present at one conference this year. If I’ll be able to do another one is unsure at it stands right now. That being said, I have hosted a couple of Job Calls which are making me comfortable in presenting in this virtual world.
As far as saving goes, my goal is to have $8,000 in my “house savings account” by the end of the year. As of right now I have $2,565 and I’m adding around $700 each month. Obviously, Covid-19 will be a barrier to this in two ways: 1) I may not have an income coming in from June, 2) I may need to dip into this savings if I am not able to get a job. Thankfully, I do have another savings account with some cash that can last me several weeks. So I will have to reevaluate this goal comes the end of June.
As I stated earlier, I have been dealing with some personal things that has been drastically affecting my mood. I do still plan to read 26 books this year. Though I realize my mental health takes priority over completing this goal. So we will see how the rest of the year plays out. As it stands I have finished six books and I’m currently reading book seven and eight at the same time.
Goals may be important for direction. But processes are more important for continual improvement. Keep trusting the process.
Worries
What am I worried about this coming year?
I’m definitely worried about being able to get a job secured within the next month. I also think about the the next hob I take and how that will play into my long term plans. It’ll be tough to take a job that doesn’t give me the opportunity to build on the skills I need to be successful going forward. But on the other side of things, is it better to take any job because the uncertainty of finding one that aligns with my goals could be daunting? Especially as the job market will remain shrunk for the next year or so.
But as I quoted on instagram the other day: “Many a false step was made by standing still.” So I’ll be sure to keep this in mind when I make my final decision. Any decision may be better than waiting to make a decision. I won’t let this keep me up at night. Perseverance is a must!
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Looking Ahead
With the current job market, most public health jobs are either in response to COVID-19. A lot of the jobs are contracted from 6 months to 24 months. I’ve been thinking what would be a good next step for myself. And given the current job climate, I don’t think I have a clear vision of this.
It’s tough to say that you want to work in a specific role when the number of those roles is vastly restricted because of this pandemic. There are unique opportunities arising to be apart of the COVID-19 response. For me, I have been more focused on applying to state jobs that are focused more on management and planning. I think these opportunities will allow me to take a larger leadership role and develop my management skills.
Intentionality
I don’t know what the future holds, but I have been trying to become more intentional in networking. I’ve done this by actively reaching out to other public health people to chat. Additionally, I have been sending a message to all new LinkedIn connections I make. I honestly wish I was doing this earlier. Not only am I getting to meet new people, but also I am learning about new perspectives and roles in public health. By reaching out, I’m hoping that these connections are meaningful and are willing to engage with me, my content and other LinkedIn users going forward.
Hopefully these efforts will pay off in me being able to help others and them helping me.
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Career Path Moving Forward
When I started my fellowship, I was pretty set on the goal of becoming a program manager or director. Today though, I am completely unsure of what I would like my public health career to look like. I do know in whatever work I do, I want to make a positive impact on communities using a social determinants of health lens. Whether that be in program management or as a program officer on the philanthropic side.
Also the lack of jobs out there that align with next steps makes things daunting. It sucks not being able to see a clear alignment in the end plan right now. But I know through this process I will get clarity on my next steps soon enough. I will have to ensure that I am gaining valuable skills that I can take to the next step of my career, especially if I get hired on a contractual basis – which seems to be more common that not.
Lastly, I have been toying with the idea of starting a consulting business. However, given everything going on this will be a better plan after things return more to normal.
Uncertainty Breathes Creativity
Since I’ve known that I wasn’t going to be hired on, my outlook has been changed. Though I do a decent job of connecting with other public health people, I could have utilized LinkedIn better to stay in touch with people in the field. I think going forward networking for jobs is going to have to be an important tool for advancing one’s career.
I’ve always been thinking of ways to expand my reach and get my voice out there more. I’m excited to say that these uncertain times have pushed me to try new things. Like the Job Calls I’ve been hosting. Really isn’t as easy as I thought to put yourself out there. But the feedback I get from the few that join push me to keep going. That being said, I have some new and creative ideas to expand The Public health Millennial on the horizon. So be sure to subscribe and follow along to get these updates.
Wishing Health and Happiness to All
During uncertain times such as these, things can get difficult. Especially if you have just been laid off. I want to wish health and happiness onto all of you and your loved ones. We all know the world could do with some more love being shared right now.
I also know it has been hard to be motivated and stay on track in this “new normal”. So I hope you all are coping as best you can with everything going on. Remember you have to take care of yourself before you can do all the great things you were meant to do. Stay safe my friends.
