BHSc Alumni Spotlights

What is your favorite BHSc memory? 
It's difficult to pick a favourite, but I enjoyed all of the fun times spent with friends in the program. Whether it was on-campus hanging out between classes or collaborating on group projects, or off-campus going skiing/snowboarding, skating at Lake Louise, or trying new local restaurants, I met so many amazing people - many of which I still keep in touch with today!

Looking back, what advice would you give yourself as a student?
My advice would be don't be afraid to try new things, slow down and enjoy the present, and prioritize your relationship and networks. It is very easy as a student to get caught up in the never-ending wave of tests, assignments, projects, labs... but I find experiences and relationships are much more valuable to your future career and life path. Don't be afraid to apply for that internship, join a club or try new hobbies, go on that semester abroad, or ask for a coffee chat with someone in your field! You never know who you might meet, and many of the best opportunities I've had have come through people in my network.

What is the best thing about your current job?
The best thing about my current job is getting to work on projects that are meaningful and support population health. I always knew that I needed to pursue jobs that impact the lives of others in a positive way, no matter how small that impact may be. It's very rewarding to see something you've worked on be used for program or policy changes, or even just to provide updated data and information to the public!

How has your career evolved?
My career has evolved in so many ways and it's still evolving. My journey through undergraduate began with being enrolled in psychology, then business, until I finally found my passion for public health in the HSOC program. Like many others, I was originally pursuing medical school, but after taking an introductory epidemiology course (MDSC 415) and learning about the vaccine hesitancy movement in MDSC 308, I became very interested in communicable disease epidemiology.

Following graduation from the BHSc program in 2020 I pursued an MSc in Epidemiology at the University of Alberta, where I worked on a thesis project that assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine childhood immunizations in Alberta. Upon receiving my MSc in 2022, I moved to Vancouver where I worked as an Epidemiologist in the Immunization and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Service at the BC Centre for Disease Control. In this role, I led provincial immunization coverage reporting, maintained databases of vaccine preventable diseases and assessed for potential outbreaks, sat on national committee meetings led by Public Health Agency of Canada, and made an amazing network of colleagues that I still frequently connect with.

I returned home to Calgary in 2024 where I now work as a Research Associate for Alberta Health Services. In this role, I work on population health focused projects that target cancer prevention through the modification of lifestyle factors such as alcohol use, sedentary behaviour, and HPV immunization.

How did your BHSc degree help you get to where you are now/current career?
The BHSc program was very beneficial in preparing me for graduate school and my future career. It's a very challenging program but you come out of it with strong skills in writing, understanding and synthesizing complex information, time management, communication, critical thinking, and the experience of completing a self-directed research project from start to finish. Coincidentally, my current supervisor was my practicum supervisor in HSOC 408 - I had no idea when I applied for the job but it was very nice to reconnect a few years down the line!

What is the best piece of advice you have received during your career journey?
The best piece of advice I have received is to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. It's easy to fall back into routines and familiarity, but don't be afraid to seek out new experiences and opportunities. Whether it's giving presentations at meetings or conferences, studying or working in a new city or country, learning new skills, or attending professional development courses - try to find a balance between routine and the unfamiliar.

That being said, make sure to make time for yourself and enjoy life! There's a whole world out there to explore and personal growth and self-development through non-professional endeavors are just as important.