From Classroom to Community: Preparing for Public Health Work in San Antonio
Karis Hawkins
1st Year MPH Epidemiology Student
As our departure for Texas comes closer, I’ve been reflecting on what this experience will mean to me. The semester has flown by, and it’s hard to believe that in less than two weeks, we’ll be on the ground in San Antonio, actively engaging with the community. While we’ve been preparing for the trip, I know that certain aspects—such as understanding the community’s needs, demographics, and overall environment—will become much clearer once we’re there and immersed in the experience.
I have never been to San Antonio, I don’t have a personal frame of reference for the community we’ll be working with, which makes this an even more exciting and eye-opening opportunity. Additionally, I have not yet conducted a community health needs assessment or facilitated a focus group, so I’m eager to gain real-world experience in these practices. These are critical tools for assessing health disparities and identifying areas for developing meaningful interventions, and I look forward to developing these skills in a real-world setting.
Another aspect I’m particularly excited about is the opportunity to contribute to the long-term health improvement of the Bexar County community. As a public health student, much of my experience has been rooted in research, often focusing on individual interactions and data collection. This trip will allow me to engage with public health work at a community-based level.
As we prepare for this journey, I am both excited and grateful for the opportunity to step outside the academic setting and apply what I’ve learned in a meaningful way. I look forward to the lessons, challenges, and growth that will come from this experience, and I can’t wait to see how it shapes my path as a future public health professional.