I've been so set on public health for so long that I think I forgot why I wanted to do it in the first place. I've simply focused on what I need to do to get there. What classes I should take, what jobs I should look for.
I love infectious disease. I think they are some of the most fascinating organisms there are.
They are beautiful under the microscope.
And I love Anthropology. I love science. I love medicine. I love writing. I love demography (true nerd).
But how can I love those things once I stop studying them? Years ago when I was thinking about what I wanted to do long term, I thought if I could just be a student for the rest of my life I would be happy. I love learning. Its what motivates me, what excites me. Its what makes me feel alive.
There are so many other things I've thought of doing that I think to myself everyday I should have gotten my degree in...
I should have gotten a journalism degree because I love to write. This blog helps me realize that love.
I should have gotten a nursing degree because I could actually do public health work right now.
I should go to medical school because I love the human body.
I should study to be a doctor of osteopathy because I love the human body and the human.
I should have gotten a degree in microbiology so I could be an epidemiologist.
But I should have done more to nurture my creativity. I should have balanced hard science with art, music, fashion and design.
If I could do anything right now, I would write for a newspaper/blog/website/magazine about health and science. In a way that understands it, in a way that makes it easy to understand for people whose worst subject is science. Thats what I love about health education-I understand science, and I want to help other people understand it. And I want to do that by writing.
Hear of any jobs like that?
Yea, me neither.
I guess what I'm saying is I still love public health, but I want the delivery mechanism to be a little more non traditional.
Actually, niche publications are growing right now--not shrinking. And you don't have to go to journalism school to become a journalist. Newspapers/blogs/etc...need people who understand topics like this so it can be explained to people. Don't know if that's helpful, but keep on keepin' on!
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