Practicum Experience

I find my practicum experience to be a real assert to the agency I am with currently, because I can assist others with the knowledge acquired.1 It is also great in providing hands-on learning, which is in stride with the real world.1 This experience is affording me the opportunity to deal with actual issues confronting a population and increasing my commitment to working in the public health environment.

I do feel that the practicum experience has enhanced my technical skills in the field so far. For example, I have been introduced to several personnel at the agency, beside my infectious disease epidemiology team. After I got back from my MPH graduation ceremony, I shared my accomplishment with the department head, and she was very impressed. She said that she will keep me in mind when a position becomes available. Therefore, I would have to agree that this experience is expanding my professional network.
The way I had envisioned my practicum experience is not the way it is.
I thought it would be intense and uncomfortable, because I am just a volunteer, per se. However, it is going much better than anticipated, for I am treated like I am a full-time employee with most of the benefits. As a result, I would have to agree that that is a very fair statement about my practicum
experience.

My best tips are to be professional in every way possible, be cordial, ask about the agency, and be very helpful and productive as much as possible. For instance, when you are finished with a project, don’t sit around idly, ask your preceptor for other things to do to showcase your initiative, drive, and willingness to learn.