We asked Arnold School alumni why they chose the Arnold School, the mentors who influenced their journeys and how their degrees prepared them for their next steps.
Job Title: Epidemiologist
Employer: SC Department of Public Health
Arnold School Degree(s): Master of Public Health in Epidemiology, 2024
How did you become interested in public health or your area of study? I always knew I wanted to work in a health-related field, but over time I knew I didn’t want to be a clinician. As a public health major, I was introduced to epidemiology in undergrad. Learning how much the field has evolved from John Snow’s time to the present was fascinating to me. I liked how epidemiology could be used as a tool to examine many public health issues.
How did you decide to attend USC for your degree? I attended USC for undergrad, so I was familiar with the wonderful faculty and staff at the Arnold School. As I was deciding between a few graduate programs, it became clear that I wanted to continue working in South Carolina because I was already gaining public health experience here.
Who were your Arnold School mentors, and how did they influence you? Dr. Myriam Torres was instrumental to my success as a student and is truly an amazing director for the MPH in Epidemiology program. From the time that I was accepted and even after I graduated, she’s always made an effort to check in, listen to my feedback and concerns, and provide support. Dr. Debbie Billings has also been very influential. She is a strong advocate for improving maternal health outcomes in our state and exemplifies the resilience, passion, and commitment required to create meaningful change in public health.
What were some of the most valuable knowledge, skills or experiences you gained during your program? My practicum with the Florida Department of Health in Collier County was a turning point in my public health journey. I had a great preceptor who let me take the lead on a project where I conducted mixed-methods research on maternal and infant health, analyzing hospital data and facilitating focus groups with mothers in the county. I presented my results to local public health professionals and provided suggestions to improve outcomes based on my findings. This is still one of my favorite projects I’ve ever worked on, and it increased my confidence as an epidemiologist.
How did you get your start in your field? Before starting my MPH, I was a health educator with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), now the SC Department of Public Health (SC DPH), and a disease intervention specialist with the CDC Foundation. During my time as an MPH student, my practicum and job as a graduate assistant helped me pivot to epidemiology-focused roles. Both of those also helped to reinforce the skills and knowledge I gained from the program. After graduation, I returned to SC DPH.
What do you do in your day-to-day work, and how do you use your degree in your work? Over the past two years at SC DPH, I've conducted data analysis to improve population health, support quality improvement and program evaluation, and inform decision-making. Recently, I've served as an epidemiologist in the State Health Improvement Office, applying my skills to support the implementation of the State Health Improvement Plan. Much of my work focuses on social epidemiology, allowing me to apply what I learned in my epidemiology and biostatistics courses to address real-world public health challenges. In my roles, I've also drawn on skills from other public health courses, including qualitative methods and public health program planning. My Arnold School education has helped me become a versatile public health professional.
How do you stay connected with other Arnold School alumni? I made great friends during my time at the Arnold School, many of whom I still keep in touch with. Public Health in South Carolina is very small, so I’ve run into many alumni at various conferences and events. It’s always fun to catch up and hear about the great work that everyone is doing!
What advice would you give to students pursuing a similar career path? There is no single “right path” in public health, and it’s okay to not have everything figured out. I worked for a few years before enrolling in the MPH program, and that helped me become more well-rounded. Public health is a very broad field that extends far beyond health departments and academia, so don’t be afraid to explore different areas. It’s completely normal for your interests and career goals to evolve as you gain more experience.