Jess Stein

What inspired you to study public health? 

I originally wanted to go to Medical School, but when I learned about preventative health I felt called to go into public health. I didn’t want to diagnose and treat sick people, I wanted to prevent them and those in their community from getting sick in the first place.

What has been the single most rewarding experience of your career/studies so far? 

Becoming a better, more open-minded person. Public health has taught me so much about what health is and how to help people get to their definition of health.

Where did you do your practicum? What was it about? 

Louisiana Department of Health – Office of Public Health I worked on a research project about legal epidemiology

What do you hope to accomplish in your career? 

I hope to work with my community to improve health for everyone. I specifically want to get into policy work – implementing and evaluating policies that affect health.

Advice: 

Talk about it to everyone! If they’re confused and say “oh kinda like a doctor or nurse?” break it down for them and help them understand. We can’t have public health if the public isn’t even aware of it. Seat belts are public health! Vaccines are public health! Food safety laws are public health!

If you are working, what is your job? 

Research Intern / Louisiana Public Health Institiute