Karah Kirkland

Responsibilities

During my internship with Union County Public Health, I supported a variety of community health initiatives focused on health education, wellness promotion, and disease prevention. My responsibilities included facilitating evidence-based programs such as Better Choices, Better Health and Walk With Ease, creating educational materials and graphics using Canva, and developing health literacy resources for individuals of all ages. I assisted with planning and coordinating community outreach events, including Union County Fair Kids Day, where I helped organized activities, prepare educational materials, and support water safety initiatives through life jacket distribution. I also attended public health meetings, trainings, and educational presentations to gain insight into local public health operations and emerging health issues. Throughout the internship, I collaborated with public health professionals, strengthened my communication and program planning skills, and translated complex health information into engaging, accessible resources. This experience allowed me to make meaningful contributions to community health while developing practical skills that will support my future career in public health.

Accomplishments

One of my greatest accomplishments was taking ownership of community health education initiatives and seeing my work make a meaningful impact. I had the opportunity to help facilitate evidence-based programs such as Better Choices, Better Health, and Walk With Ease, while also designing educational materials and outreach campaigns for Union County Fair Kids Day. Creating health literacy resources that were engaging, visually appealing, and easy for community members of all ages to understand was especially rewarding. I was also honored that my supervisor recognized my creativity and proficiency with technology, trusting me to design many of the department's educational materials. Knowing that my work helped improve community engagement and health education was my proudest achievement.

Learning experience

This internship taught me that public health extends far beyond healthcare. It is built on education, collaboration, communication, and prevention. I learned the importance of meeting people where they are are by presenting information in ways that are accessible and meaningful to different audiences. I also gained a greater appreciation for the teamwork that is required among local, state, and national public health agencies to respond to community needs. Most importantly, I learned that small efforts, such as creating educational resources or leading a wellness class, can have a lasting impact on individuals and the overall health of a community.

What advice would you give?

Take every opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and become involved in as many experiences as possible. Ask questions, volunteer for projects, ad be willing to learn new skills, even if they seem unfamiliar at first. Building strong relationships with your supervisor and coworkers can open doors to valuable learning opportunities, and your initiative will not go unnoticed. Public health is a diverse field, so embrace every chance to explore different areas, and you may just discover a passion that you never expected.