Niccole Smith

What inspired you to study public health?

I completed a minor in Health Disparities in Society during my undergraduate career at UF and that introduced me to what public health is. Learning about the various ways public health exists in our day-to-day life made me realize how much I can make a difference through a public health career.

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

While studying as a Master of Public Health student, I work full time as a Healthy Start program assistant, where our focus is improving health outcomes and support families and children through home visiting programs. It’s amazing to see what an impact this has in the lives of families and children in our community and be able to apply what I learn in the classroom to my day-to-day work.

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

Community Initiatives internship at WellFlorida Council. I wrote the drafts of the community health status assessment and forces of change assessment for the Citrus County Community Health Assessment.

What do you hope to accomplish in your career?

I hope to improve health outcomes and promote health equity in Florida. I hope to be involved in a family & child health career where I can apply all that I have learned to a future career.

Advice:

Be open to new and different opportunities, you’ll build new skills and gain new experiences that will help you into the future.

Current Position June 2023:

Healthy Start Program Assistant at the Central and North Central FL Healthy Start Coalitions

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