麻豆视频

By: Geron Malbas  

When new Faculty of Health Sciences alumnus Morgan Karugaba was asked what his academic highlights were, he recounts his self confidence surging after achieving a once unobtainable goal: Dean鈥檚 Honour Roll.

鈥淭he beginning of my academic career was quite challenging,鈥� he explains. 鈥淢aking it to the Dean鈥檚 Honour Roll was a monumental moment for me; at one point, I thought achieving those high grades was unobtainable. Taking some time and hard work, I was able to get my confidence back and achieve something that was so far out of my scope.鈥�

A personal highlight for Karugaba is 麻豆视频Co-op. He worked with Fraser Health in mental health and substance use as a program assistant, and completed a self-directed term as a data analyst with the Interior Health Authority.

鈥淧ublic health is very broad 鈥� you can go into policy, epidemiology, and even ethics; there are many concentrations to look at, and co-op helped narrow down my focus. It also can help folks find out what they might not like, and what they love,鈥� he explains. 鈥淚t helped me get the experience that employers were interested in, including data analysis, coding, and many other essential skills for the public health sector.鈥�

Another personal highlight for him was doing a directed study with FHS professor, Dr. Bohdan Nosyk. He worked as a research assistant examining prescribed safe supply, how the program did, and what more could be improved from a health economic perspective. Now employed in Ottawa as a research assistant in the same field, he credits jumping out of his comfort zone to land in his current job.

鈥淢y world opened up when I discovered health economics was a branch of public health. I liked the idea of building robust models and applying relevant health research information and costing data to inform decisions about the best use of healthcare dollars.鈥�

As a new undergraduate alumnus, as well as an international student from Uganda, Karugaba shares some advice for other current students looking to make the most of their degree.

鈥淎ttending career panels - especially the ones hosted by FHS HSUSU - helps you see fields you might be interested in, and you get lots of perspectives or pathways a variety of people have that may inspire you,鈥� he advises. 鈥淎nd on top of that, do co-op. It is an incredibly valuable experience. Once you are done with school and are looking for work or a different role, employers are looking for work experience or things you have done in the past. Co-op sets you up for success and counts a lot for post-graduates."