Being in the public health field is an area of work that I have long known I was destined

to be in, often being increasingly passionate about certain subjects within the profession. As a
future public health professional, I desire to work with middle and high school aged kids, with
the possibility of also working with college students. During my career, I’d like to bring about
change and increase the awareness of the multiple dimensions of health. My focus would be to
educate, demonstrate, and create programs and curriculums that expand young minds in hopes of
influencing positive health practices and behaviors.
My mother and I always had a close, open relationship while I was growing up. She was
never afraid to talk to me about topics, considered to be “taboo” to the world, such as sex. I
noticed that some of my friends, like most children these days did not have that same luxury.
Because of this, I realize the influence the relationship had on my decision making. I noticed that
I was not doing everything that my peers were engaging in. I think having that background
helped mold me into who I am as a person today. To top it off, I have taken multiple courses
related to my health education minor such as Human Sexuality and Mental and Emotional
Health. These types of classes showed me how multi-dimensional health education is and how
much there is that can be taught to students. During this time, I analyzed some of the YRBS data
on multiple health behaviors in Jacksonville, FL. From a lot of startling data, I knew that major
improvements were necessary and that I could be presented with opportunities to take action.
After taking all of the classes required for my minor, I knew that Public Health and
Health Education was a great fit. I was blessed to be able to officially join the Brooks College of
Health as a Public Health major. Various components go into bettering and maintaining
community health. As professionals, the focus is not just on educating, but changing behavior. It
is critical that while we increase the knowledge of the public, we also make an effort to help
change their environment. Behavior change does not occur overnight and is not a linear process.
Like the Transtheoretical Model of Change, people go through stages to achieve a different
behavior outcome. Our job is to give them the tools they need in order to make it to the next step
and ultimately reach what is called the termination stage, not having any desire to revert back to
old behavior. Developing programs and interventions based off behavioral theories such as
TMC, increase the likelihood of reaching the goals associated with a better quality of life.
Within the next two years, I plan to have received my Bachelor of Science in Health from
the University of North Florida as well as my CHES certification. I will also be pursing a Master
of Science in Health Education and Behavior from the University of Florida. In the next 4-5
years, I plan to have built a career centered around building prevention programs and health
education curriculum for public schools. By choosing to go on this path, society will be filled
with students who are informed about the equal impact that each area of health has on their lives.
I will put forth effort to ensure the effective delivery of information that will answer questions
that students may have about themselves and others and reduce the risk of experimentation. As
each dimension of health holds equal value to one another, putting curriculum in schools and
developing programs would be significant in guiding students to becoming responsible adults
and adopting positive health practices.