Complete First Year of Studies, Check.

Andy

I thought I would sneak a short message in before all the “commencement blogs” are uploaded. Who cares about graduation anyway? Some of us have a whole other year left. This blog focuses on what’s important, the accomplishments of the Class of 2014 (Joking, congratulations to all the graduates!)

A few days ago, I hosted an end-of-the-year soiree before all departing to our respective summer internships. Good weather. Good drinks. Better friends. It is always a pleasure to get together and share in the festivities of fun-employment, at least for a day. As always, I was struck by the professional and intellectual diversity of our HMP cohort. The University’s resources are great, the faculty is outstanding, and football is a religion. However, when prospective students asked me, “What is the single greatest thing about Michigan?” I told them about my friends. Yesterday was only a reminder.

As I reflect on the past year, it seems surreal that year one has come to a close (grades pending). I look forward to hearing about all the incredible practicum experiences upon return. From Geneva to Los Angeles to right here in Ann Arbor, I am 110% confident that everyone will be a massive success and realize how valuable they truly are to the field of healthcare management and policy. I’ve always said, the sooner my friends become CEOs, the sooner they can hire me. I wish them all the best in their future summer endeavors.

For the few HMP Class of 2015 students who read this blog, here is some advice for next year: Hang out with us! Ask us for help. Internship opportunities, check. Best places to eat, check. Cheap places to “hydrate”, double check. We went through the process and are more than willing to assist. Just remember we are upperclassmen, hence cooler, smarter, and more accomplished than any of you…

Andy Mychkovsky is a first year HMP student at the School of Public Health.

My Top 4 Things to Consider When Applying to Graduate School

Desiree

Rigor of Program

• Understand that all programs are not created equal. You want to choose a school that will give you the proper training to prepare you to be a leader in your field.  This one can be tricky to assess. While we all love rankings, and top programs are usually synonymous with rigor, I encourage reaching out to students and talking to them to learn more.

Faculty

• You obviously want to go to a place where people are top in the field, however and more importantly, you want to go to a school where the faculty is invested in you as a professional and as a person. If faculty are invested in you, then they will ensure they are supplying you all that you need to develop as a professional. It’s nice to say that you went to a school where ground-breaking Professor X teaches. But more importantly, did you take a course with that professor? Was he or she accessible to you?

Resources

• Are there many opportunities to conduct research? Do events such as guest lecturers, symposiums, and events that help augment one’s educational experience happen on campus? If so, how often? What type of professional and student organizations does the school have? Is there freedom to found my own organization if there is a need? Be sure to check out what types of opportunities are available outside of the classroom. These matter!

School Culture

• What does the school value? Diversity? Health Disparities? Innovation? Is the school student-centered? More importantly, are the values and culture of the schools ones that you agree with or align with? Does the school facilitate personal growth outside of one’s area of academic study?

Happy Retirement Pat O’Kray, You Earned It!!!

Andy

“Happy Retirement to You, Happy Retirement to You, Happy Retirement Dear Pat, Happy Retirement to You!”

Today faculty, students, and staff met in the GLC Leadership Room to celebrate the illustrious career of Pat O’Kray.  Having served 15 years at the School of Public Health, she has amassed the greatest amount of knowledge and most importantly, respect, from the entire department.

These past few months, Pat has served as a confidant, resource, and friend to me and my many classmates. Without her guidance, I know with absolute certainty, my transition to graduate school life would have much more difficult. From internships, to class scheduling, to responding to a barrage of random emails, she is one word, wonderful.

Pat O’Kray did not work for the University of Michigan Health Management and Policy department, she embodied it. On behalf of the entire HMP 2014 class, we will miss you.

Andy Mychkovsky is a first year HMP student at the School of Public Health.

Guide to being an effective graduate student

Andy

How to be an effective graduate student:

1. Be social, even if it pushes the boundaries of your comfort zone. Your peers not only represent the future of healthcare, but also your next two years. Draw on various personalities and backgrounds to enhance your overall experience.
2. Don’t take graduate school too seriously. Nobody gets out alive.
3. Despite what others say, I strongly suggest you work during school. Not only will it provide some income, but more importantly allow you to apply the knowledge gained. This will not only refine your own skills, but also reinforce your reasons for pursuing a degree in public health.
4. Please don’t research to just get published. Research, then use it to solve real problems. My single greatest critique of academia is the exorbitant amount of research that is never applied or implemented to solve a practical solution in the world.
5. Never underestimate your professional background. Literally everything is relevant in public health.
6. Your classmates will make or break your graduate school experience. I’m biased, but I think my friends are the single greatest reason I’m enjoying my experience here at Michigan.
7. Professors are people too. Talk to them.
8. If you were accepted into this program, you are smart. However, so is everyone else. Never underestimate anyone.
9.  DO NOT spend all your time at the School of Public Health. Attend football games, play intramural sports, take classes at the policy school, attend lectures across campus and actively seek out other students from various disciplines.
10. Don’t forget to vote! (Let’s move Forward…)

Andy Mychkovsky is a first year HMP student at the School of Public Health.

Grad School Orientation Recap

Andy

Disclaimer: This blog post is about a week old. However I felt it was still important to offer some insight into what all incoming HMP students encountered during our 4-day orientation week. Please excuse the tardiness (due to studying…) and enjoy:

Day 1:

Orientation breakfast starts at 7:15am and I have only one thought, “Why so early?” After deciding to walk, Sophia (HMP student) and I end up arriving just in time to inhale a bagel and sit down for opening statements. Despite the morning, majority of students excited to begin. A few introductions from SPH staff later and we’re off to algebra testing. One scantron sheet later and official events are over. Lunch with some fellow classmates at Ashley’s and day 1 is in the books.

Day 2:

All departments in the School of Public Health have Tuesday off. Well except HMP because we’re more hardcore (sarcasm). We start with a scavenger hunt that moonlighted as a self-guided campus tour and icebreaker in one. Not sure how team, “We’re not running” did, but our faculty led discussion on Atul Gawande’s book, “Better” leaves us no time to rest. On a side note, I would recommend it to anyone interested in healthcare.

Nighttime activities include a student, faculty and alumni social event. I am always impressed by the level of success achieved by Michigan alumni, but even more refreshed by their willingness to offer a helping hand to the next generation.

Day 3:

Everything today revolves around the Practice Plunge. A group field trip with other incoming students from the public health, focused on interdisciplinary learning and communication. The anti-silo or anti-HMP only hangs out with other HMP student’s effect. My bus is off to visit Wayne County Public Health Department.  Upon arrival, we are guided into a room of public health professionals to hear a day in the life. The intricacies of the public health department with respect to disease control, immunization and emergency preparedness are informative, with the most entertaining discussion revolving around food safety inspection. Just don’t expect to look at a restaurant the same ever again.

Day 4:

The University of Michigan School of Public Health administration starts the day with a rousing collection of speeches tailored to excite and motivate the incoming class. I specifically remember a point when each respective department must cheer when called. I think it’s pretty obvious the Health Management and Policy crew wins (I really hope you’re not taking me literally). With spirits soaring high, we break for lunch, followed by a brief informational session on career services and a meeting with my academic advisor.

Next blog post will either be about classes or the HMP social life. Also, I know some of you have questions, feel free to comment and I will respond best I can.

Andy Mychkovsky is a first year HMP student at the School of Public Health.

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

Andy

Date: August 14, 2012

Location: Bar Louie

Reason: Happy Hour

Yesterday several of us from the incoming Public Health class met together for $1 burgers, cheap refreshments and fine conversation after work. It was viewed as an opportunity to get to know each other before the madness of orientation week, “what you want to do with your life” speeches and business card holders.

It took a little time to warm up the conversation, but eventually it felt just like talking to old friends. What have you been doing lately and what do you wish to conquer next? Each one brought a range of experience and background, all incredibly impressive and unique. Most importantly to me at least, all with an overarching purpose to better the lives of others through the healthcare industry. I think that’s what makes this experience so exciting, the ability to connect with such students. Professionals who feel the need to work for something greater than just profit margin.

Standing from left to right: Me, Cydni S., Joe E., Mary S., Jackie R., Deborah R., Chandrashekar S., Swathi V.

Shout out to Deborah for being the only non-HMP student to attend (HBHE in da house). I can only hope in the future representation increases. If you have a spouse/partner/roommate that wants to come, bring them too! When I asked the second years what helped them most during the school year they said, “Hands down, your classmates.” Let’s toast to a good two years and beyond for everyone. Cheers.

Andy Mychkovsky is a first year HMP student at the School of Public Health.

Spring Break Stay-cation: They Joy of Not Going Anywhere

Tasha

There are a new set of commercials that feature children wreaking havoc around the house. The commercial concludes with “Can you afford not to get away this summer?” And my answer is yes. I grew up in a television dream world where you just HAD to go away for Spring Break, yet my family never did, which is why I was watching so much TV in the first place. So when I got to college and there was not a magic upswing in my income in early March, I was never upset that I couldn’t join my classmates in Cancun, South Beach, or Europe even. I found ways to make my own fun at home, and not having “school” was a prize in and of itself. Here are some of the perks I have found from taking a Spring Break Stay-cation.

Save money and/or avoid debt. Some Spring Break trips can be on the cheaper end, but even road trips sometime end in unexpected expenses (cross state towing). And that is on the low end. I really do not want to burn my study hours working a second job just to afford Spring Break and my parents do not want to come out of retirement either. I have also come to a point in life where I realize, you can not just throw things on a credit card (especially entire non-emergent trips across the country) and worry about it later. Later has become today.

Earn money. I have a great work study Boss who has allowed me to work over Spring Break.  I know some people who go back home and can pick up a few hours at their old summer or holiday job. But, why would you want to work over Spring Break? After being in school for a couple of months, work isn’t all that bad and at the end of the week you get a pay check. Win.

You’re not alone. Not one time have I been left alone for Spring Break. There has always been another straggler left behind to catch a movie with, join for lunch, or go shopping at the local superstore with at 2 a.m. (my rural roots are showing). And even though you do not have to be alone, sometimes it is nice to just sit in silence with your thoughts. I grew up watching TV on the sofa with my Grandmother, so college (especially undergrad) can be a little socially intense for me at times. Plus, I always enjoy my friends and family more after spending a little time away from them.

Day Tripping is fun, action packed, and adventurous. Though you may run into some of those unexpected expenses I mentioned earlier, day tripping is a smaller cost for a lot of fun. You could explore Downtown Ann Arbor like a tourist. Visit the museums, eateries, and sporting events in Detroit. For the serious Day Tripper, you can go to Chicago (IL), Cleveland (OH), Cedar Point, and anywhere else you can safely drive, spend a few hours and come back.

This is not to knock vacations. I love the beach just like the next person, but this is just to say that not everybody goes away. Like Spring Break, vacation is a mindset. You can take your vacation at home.

The Best Internship, Ever: Social Media Meets Health Care

Tasha Edwards

As the Social Media Intern at Henry Ford Health System, I had the opportunity of working in the two areas I love, new media and healthcare. The internship of my dreams. Sadly, the internship has come to an end, but the memories will last forever. The fact that I was able to practice exactly what I thought was my dream career, in and of itself, made for a great internship. Interning within the Marketing/Web Services Department, I was able to learn so much about marketing and internet marketing in the hospital environment. It was truly a great educational and professional development experience.

My internship preceptors were excellent at assigning me projects that they thought would be beneficial, as well as allowing me to develop my own assignments to hone my social media skills. All of the  individuals that I worked with in Marketing, Public Relations, and Communications were very hardworking, uplifting, and team oriented. As many people know, coworkers are just as important in overall job satisfaction as the actual work itself. (Side note: They even helped me the day my car was towed when I went to the dentist downtown on my lunch break. Life savers.)

Some people my say, “Oh, you interned in social media? So, you created a Facebook page. LOL.”

And to those people I say, “I am so happy you think that way. Here’s my card. You can call me in the future when the competition is passing you, because you do not understand the power of social media.”

Seriously, social media in the corporate environment is marketing, social responsibility, public relations, health communication and so much more. (Just check how many twitter accounts the CDC has created.) Practicing social media in health care is writing marketing strategies, developing communication plans, creating innovative campaigns, and pioneering Public Health Internet Applications. And if it is done correctly, a solid social media strategy can serve as a serious point of differentiation.

I love that I had the chance to intern in an area that joined social media and health care. They are two areas that bring me so much joy. I never feel as though I am working when the two come together.  Harnessing the power of social media for the good of Public Health, and health care in general, is now my solidified career goal. That is why my Henry Ford Health System Social Media intern experience was the best internship ever!

One Ford Place

5 Tips to Landing a Great Internship

Tasha Edwards

Let’s start by saying, I look nothing like this picture. I will post a picture of my current self below. My, how things have changed in a year. On to the point of this post, my internship. In the fall, I will be second year Master’s degree student at the School of Public Health in the department of Health Management and Policy. I believe that it is a requirement in all the Master’s degree programs to complete an internship between the first and second year of study. My internship is at Henry Ford Health System in the Web Services. The main component of my work in the development and implementations of social media strategies.

I am so lucky to have received this internship, because it is very fitted to goals and talents. The department of web services sits inside of Marketing and alongside Corporate Planning, Public Relations, Communications, and Media Resources. I live for this stuff! I feel that every project I am a part of or take charge of is helping me to hone my skills to be successful in the future. Awesome, right? I know!

So, how do you get an internship as great as mine? Here are 5 quick tips.

1. Speak up about your interest, experience, and goals. You never know who’s listening, who they know, or what they can offer you.
2. Be professional in your work, study, classes, and extracurricular activities. I am not saying you need to wear a suit everyday, but look presentable. Employers and alumni visit the school for interviews, recruitment, and workshops on a regular basis.
3. Do not procrastinate on deadlines, interviews, emails, etc. Someone else could just be waiting to take your place.
4. Have an idea about the type of internship that would best fulfill you or the place you would like to be live. If you don’t know, then no one else will.
5. Follow up with potential employers. Like I stated previously, you are not the only student trying to obtain an internship, so you have to make an effort to stay at the top of the list.

I really hope these tips helped. This is how I got my awesome internship, and hopefully you will have a similar story to tell.

Office Hours

Tasha Edwards

At my undergraduate, the only time I went to office hours was either to dispute a grade or to request, obtain, or follow up on a recommendation. I never just went in to talk to the professor or gain insight on an upcoming assignment. Well let me tell you:  My professors at the School of Public Health are marvelous.

1. They respond to emails
2. They are actually helpful
3. They know their area of expertise and everyone in it

#1 is extremely helpful when you can not make it to their predetermined office hours and need to make an appointment. It is also nice to know that you have an open line of communication, which could make a difference between a good grade and an excellent grade.

#2 is my favorite. Have you ever talked to someone for an hour, walked away and asked yourself, “How was that suppose to help me?” I have, and way more times than I would like to count. If you have a question about anything, the professors can either answer it with clarity or direct you to the person who can.

#3 catapults this program above the masses. Professors who know what they are talking about are great resources of information. When it comes to finding internships and job, professors who practice in the field, and have relationships with others who practice, are the most helpful. Searching for internships and jobs brings much anxiety and stress, but that can be mitigated by talking to your advisor. By practicing in the field, they know what opportunities exist that relate to your interest, who to call, and how to communicate with the people at the top. All three of the before-mentioned items are major areas that students find difficult.

In summary, go to office hours. The earlier you go, the less damage you will cause yourself by trying to “go it alone.”