Recently, two undergraduate students from the Public Health-Global Health major interned for the Global Center for Integrated Health of Women, Adolescents, and Children (Global WACh). These students, Pooja Rajanbabu and Amanda Shi, worked as research dissemination and creative design interns, respectively.
The Results Dissemination internship is designed for students interested in sharing the results of research studies with the Global WACh community. Students in the Seeds for Change internship work with Global WACh staff and faculty to raise funds for the Seeds for Change Awards, interviewing past awardees and collecting stories and photographs from community partners to create a brochure about the awards.
Pooja and Amanda shared some key takeaways from their internships, what their typical day looked like, and the advice they’d give to students hoping to pursue similar opportunities.
Pooja Rajanbabu, Intern, Global Health Research Results Dissemination, April - August/September, 2020
Q: What were some of the biggest takeaways from your internship?
This internship gave me a better understanding of the work that goes on in a global health organization, which is especially helpful for me since I want to work for a global health organization in the future. Through this internship, I gained more experience collaborating with key stakeholders. I was able to strengthen my critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and I also learned how to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
Interning for Global WACh has shown me that collaboration is a key aspect of the organization and that there are a lot of innovative research studies being conducted now that are especially useful during this critical time with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Q: What did you study at UW?
I graduated in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in Public Health-Global Health, and I minored in Global Health.
Q: What did your typical day look like while you were working there?
On a typical day, I'm usually revising or creating dissemination tool templates for the study dissemination toolkit that will be used across the organization. Lately, I have been pilot testing the dissemination tool templates with research study teams at Global WACh to see if these tools fit the needs of UW PIs. Right now, I'm working with Kate Pfizenmaier [Managing Director for Global WACh] to conduct a focus group discussion with Kenyan collaborators to get a better understanding of their dissemination needs.
Q: What advice would you give to students hoping to pursue similar opportunities?
I would highly advise students to keep a lookout for internships mentioned in the PH-GH Major Newsletter and on the SPH Undergrad News and Announcements!
Amanda Shi, Intern, Global WACh Seeds for Change, April-June, 2020
Q: What were some of the biggest takeaways from your internship?
Stephanie Edlund-Cho [Program Operations Specialist for Global WACh] was really a great mentor and together, we adjusted our internship goals to accommodate the shifting dynamics of COVID-19. In general, I found that I really enjoy the educational environment of the Department of Global Health after sitting in on working groups. There are such unique projects going on and I felt that many of the faculty mentors were highly encouraging of their masters and PhD students. I also learned some useful skills with new Adobe software, and how learned valuable lessons in adapting to a remote working environment.
Q: What did you study at UW?
I graduated with a dual degree in Public Health-Global Health (BS) and Political Economy (BA) as part of the Class of 2020.
Q: What did your typical day look like while you were working there?
It was a unique experience due to the fact that we were working completely remotely, so I never actually went into the office. We would have weekly check-ins and had specific goals set at the beginning of the internship period. Ultimately, I worked with my own timeline to produce deliverables by the end of the internship period (e.g. brochure, social media materials, and template materials). I had the opportunity to attend working group meetings with the Kenya Research Training Center (KRTC) and Working in Implementation Science (WISE), while also learning about the active work that is ongoing.
Q: What advice would you give to students hoping to pursue similar opportunities?
I would advise students to keep looking into the opportunities sent out by the different departments, talk to your advisors, and talk to your professors. People are really willing to help students find opportunities to learn and grow, just be open to creating relationships and asking for that support! Also, I initially found out about the internship through the School of Public Health Newscatcher email.
Global WACh is an organization within the Department of Global Health that aims to advance the health and well-being of women, adolescents, and children through scientific discoveries and healthcare interventions. Visit Global WACh’s website for more information.