Denali Conover

Major: Kinesiology and Health
Company/Organization: Blank Children's Hospital Center for Advocacy & Outreach
Destination: Des Moines, Iowa
Timeframe: Fall 2024
Advisor/Coordinator Email: dpower@iastate.edu

Responsibilities

Throughout my internship at Advocacy and Outreach, I developed health messages and educational materials for students, community members, and patients. I attended various events to promote safety, raise awareness, and share valuable resources with the community.

Accomplishments

I created several impactful social media posts for Safe Kids to promote safety awareness. I also organized and decorated our department’s tree for the Festival of Trees and Lights, raising funds for Blank Children’s Hospital. Additionally, I attended and assisted at numerous conferences and events, gaining valuable insights from professionals in the field. I also developed an informational resource for the department, highlighting its programs and the important work they do.

Learning experience

The greatest lessons I learned from my internship experience were the importance of collaboration and effective communication in public health work. I realized how crucial it is to work closely with a team to achieve common goals and ensure that safety and health messages reach community members. Additionally, I gained a deeper understanding of community engagement and the impact of hands-on work in promoting health and safety.

What advice would you give?

My advice for future students in public health is to embrace every learning opportunity, both inside and outside the classroom. Take the time to network with professionals in the field, attend conferences, and get involved in community outreach whenever possible. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and take on projects that challenge you as this is how you'll grow both personally and professionally. Also, trust in your abilities and the knowledge you have gained here at Iowa State. Finally, always keep the bigger picture in mind, making a positive impact on the health and well-being of communities is at the heart of public health.

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