Update on 2016 Goal #3
It has been a minute since I updated this thing, hasn't it?
So, Goal #3 for 2016 was to "3. Increased work networking." The unstated part of this goal was that I wanted the networking to ultimately lead to a different job opportunity at my agency. I transitioned into a program management role in my previous organizational unit in 2014, right before the Ebola times happened. The next couple of years were very challenging for my office, which played a very large part in domestic infection control response. I hired a lot of people, spent a lot of money and advocated for more places for people to sit. Before too long, I knew without a doubt that while I would stay as long as I could to help my office get through the rocky road it was facing, ultimately I needed to get back into a role that more directly supported the work of public health.
Which brings me to where I am today - two weeks into my new job at CDC's Injury Center, as a project officer supporting state health department injury programs. While there are challenges with the new role (for example, the Project Officer I was meant to be shadowing for awhile is going on a 120 detail starting next Monday), the fit feels exactly right - being able to support states and advocate for the good work they are doing in injury prevention. It's a 180-degree switch in a really, really good way.
And it was only possible through networking and leaning in through my PHPS connections. Back in May, I had emailed a fellow PHPS program alum about a Lateral Transfer opportunity in a Division she used to work in, and she said, you should come to Injury instead! We talked, my CV was shared, there was a meet-and-greet, an offer was made and here I am. Thanks, AD :-)
I will never again underestimate the power of having a strong professional network. Once again, I was reminded of how deciding to move to Atlanta in 2007 for PHPS remains the best professional decision of my career. We may be a smaller alumni cohort now because of the fellowship's end, but the network remains strong, for which I am very thankful.
So, Goal #3 for 2016 was to "3. Increased work networking." The unstated part of this goal was that I wanted the networking to ultimately lead to a different job opportunity at my agency. I transitioned into a program management role in my previous organizational unit in 2014, right before the Ebola times happened. The next couple of years were very challenging for my office, which played a very large part in domestic infection control response. I hired a lot of people, spent a lot of money and advocated for more places for people to sit. Before too long, I knew without a doubt that while I would stay as long as I could to help my office get through the rocky road it was facing, ultimately I needed to get back into a role that more directly supported the work of public health.
Which brings me to where I am today - two weeks into my new job at CDC's Injury Center, as a project officer supporting state health department injury programs. While there are challenges with the new role (for example, the Project Officer I was meant to be shadowing for awhile is going on a 120 detail starting next Monday), the fit feels exactly right - being able to support states and advocate for the good work they are doing in injury prevention. It's a 180-degree switch in a really, really good way.
And it was only possible through networking and leaning in through my PHPS connections. Back in May, I had emailed a fellow PHPS program alum about a Lateral Transfer opportunity in a Division she used to work in, and she said, you should come to Injury instead! We talked, my CV was shared, there was a meet-and-greet, an offer was made and here I am. Thanks, AD :-)
I will never again underestimate the power of having a strong professional network. Once again, I was reminded of how deciding to move to Atlanta in 2007 for PHPS remains the best professional decision of my career. We may be a smaller alumni cohort now because of the fellowship's end, but the network remains strong, for which I am very thankful.