Customizing Your Career: Putting Yourself on a Global Path Tatyana El-Kour, MS, RDN, FAND Independent Expert Consultant Global Health and Nutrition Images of children screened for malnutrition in Eastern rural Hama in Syria. Photo credit. Saed Charity in Syria, 2016.

I consult for a number of global agencies, currently active with Action Against Hunger-Lebanon No material within this presentation may be copied, in any form, for public, private, or commercial use without prior approval. I have no personal or financial interests to declare. I do not have any financial arrangement or consulting agreements related to the content of this presentation. Disclaimer Tatyana El-Kour, MS, RDN, FAND Independent Expert Consultant Global Health and Nutrition

At the end of this webinar, the participant will be able to: Identify career paths that may be options for dietetic and nutrition professionals in global public health settings. Describe best strategies and qualities for success needed to effectively work in public health and community nutrition globally. Apply practical tips for effectively customizing your career based on specific context and need. Conceptualize ways for improved career planning and learning in everyday practice. Webinar Objectives

My Career Pathway Medical Representative 1 Year Regional Nutrition Line Specialist 2 Years Graduate Teaching Assistant Metabolic Research Technician Assistant researcher: data entry 6 Months Several Positions at the World Health Organization 10 Years Consultant/Private Practice 9 Years Regional Nutrition Officer and Whole of Syria Co-lead 7 Months Independent Expert Consultant My Career Pathway

Other Career Pathways In-country field consultants Disaster relief organizations Immigrant/refugee health organizations Research and academic institutions International agencies Other non-governmental agencies (NGOs) Lending agencies that do work in developing countries Multi-lateral agencies (such as WHO) Governmental agencies (USAID, in-country ministry of health, etc.) Other? Who knows! Other Career Pathways

How did I go about choosing my career path? What’s out there? What’s out there for me? What do you really want to do? What is my dream? Or do I really need to find a new dream? How did I go about choosing my career path?

Career Strategies and Qualities Foot in the door Foreign language skills Relevant clinical training Public health training Mentors and role models Broad professional portfolio Broad perspective of health Opportunities The driver: heart vs. head Career Strategies and Qualities

Key questions for career development What kind of a problem solver am I? What kind of problem do I want to solve? Who can pay me to solve the problem? Key questions for career development

Why you should have a plan Visual representation/reminder of how you will spend your time achieving your goals Helps you to identify both short-term and long term goals that can push you toward action Milestones along the way can be acknowledged and celebrated Serves as a communication tool between mentors and others Why you should have a plan

Feedback Points of view Culture Tradition Practice Attitude History Way forward Innovate Ways To Give And Receive Feedback Across Cultures Based on the Science of Learning

Make it stick The Science of Successful Learning Peter C. Brown Henry L. Roediger III Mark A. McDaniel

Reflection Testing Generation Key concepts Retrieves knowledge from memory, connects to new experiences, visualizes and mentally rehearses Testing Powerful retrieval tool; i.e. makes learning stick far better than re-exposure to the original material Generation Fill in a word’s missing letters resulted in better memory of the word Key concepts

Reflection, testing, and generation solidify pathways in one’s brain Reference: Image is retrieved from https://oppidanomnibus.com/2011/07/27/idea-of-the-day-desire-lines/

Some professionals/stude nts are motivated to master highly difficult memory and motor-skill challenges like action video games but are not motivated to learn challenging subjects in gobal nutrition. Why do you think it is the case? The answer lies in the power of feedback. Check out pages 39 and 40. In motor learning, trial and error with delayed feedback is a more awkward but effective way of acquiring a skill than a trial and correction through immediate feedback! Studies show that giving feedback strengthens retention more than testing alone does. Some evidence show that delaying feedback briefly produces better long-term learning than immediate feedback. Reference: Image was retrieved from https://blogs-images.forbes.com/olliebarder/files/2015/05/game_study_cognition.jpg

Strategies to improve complex mastery Practice Practice like you play and you will play like you practice Balance Balance variety with repeated retrieval practice Seek out Seek out practical experience with daily reflection Quiz Quiz yourself at all times Keep Keep changing practice Strategies to improve complex mastery Daily reflection is a form of spaced retrieval practice

How efforts help? Re-consolidating Memory Creating Mental Models Broadening Mastery Fostering Conceptual Learning Improving Versatility Priming the mind for learning How efforts help?

Be the one in charge Reference: Image retrieved from http://theautismhelper.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Whos_in_Charge01.jpg

2 kinds of successful intelligence Fluid intelligence Ability to reason, see relationships, think abstractly, and hold information in mind while working on a problem Crystallized intelligence one’s accumulated knowledge of the world and the procedures or mental models one has developed from past learning and experiences 2 kinds of successful intelligence Refer to pages 147 – 150 for other types of successful intelligence, including: Analytical one; i.e. ability to complete problem-solving tasks. Creative: ability to synthesize and apply existing knowledge and skills to deal with new and unusual situations Practical: ability to adapt to everyday life

Which study strategies do you need to use on a regular basis? Re-reading Practice problems Mnemonics/Rhymes Think of real world examples Highlight Re-write notes Flashcards Make review sheet Study groups Memorize Self-test Which study strategies do you need to use on a regular basis?

Learning Tips Practice Space out Interleave Calibrate Use Practice retrieving new learning from memory Practice Space out your retrieval practice Space out Interleave the study of different problem types Interleave Practice elaboration Practice generation Practice reflection Always calibrate your judgment of what you know and what you don’t know Calibrate Use mnemonic devices Use Learning Tips

Learning is an effortful process When learning is difficult and effortful, it is stronger and better remembered. Easy learning is usually superficial and soon forgotten. As you learn, challenges and failures are more likely to change your brain and promote true mastery of topics. Learning is an effortful process

Tips for trainers and/or practitioners Generation Reflection Elaboration rehearsal Spaced practice Interleaving Tell-show-do-review Tips for trainers and/or practitioners

Personal Information Values Interest Personality traits Data, People, Things preference Skills and aptitudes Education/training goals Career Information Career values Career duties and responsibilities Personality type needed Data, People, Things characteristics Skills and aptitudes required Education/training required Way for improved career planning: Map your personal against career information

The world is evolving and one’s perceptions need to evolve with it. 1 There is dire need to know the facts of the past in the context of shaping the story of the future for realizing the Sustainable Development Goals. 2 Knowledge alone is not enough. There are new skills, features and behaviors to possess for driving population engagement through data, and emerging technology and media. 3 Take Home Messages

Questions? Happy to answer any query or question you may have. Email me at: Tatyana.elkour@gmail.com