Field Experience Information Session (PHC 6945) 10am, Wednesday, February 4 th 2015 Spring 2015 Michelle Hodge, MPH Domestic Field Experience Administrator USF College of Public Health

What is Field Experience (FE)? A carefully supervised work or service experience that allows a student to address a public health issue or concern. The student has specific learning goals and reflects actively on what he/she is learning throughout the experience. The placement provides progressive experiences for integrating theory and practice An organized and carefully planned partnership between the student, faculty advisor, site supervisor and FE administrator with specified responsibilities for each party. One of the curriculum culminating events and a graduation requirement for College of Public Health students who are earning an MPH, MHA, or an MSPH in Industrial Hygiene

Objectives of Field Experience Identify learning goals Design and implement activities to reach goals Provide practical experience in a public health setting Link academic training and theory with core functions of public health and practice Reflect on what was learned during the FE Explore career interests

Benefits of Field Experience Professional Preparation Provide community service Integrate theory with practice Opportunity to identify areas for research Analyze community/public health problems Career Development Gain work experience Explore career options Develop contacts for networking Define career objectives

Preliminary Work Attend the FE Information Session Consult with your faculty advisor Consult with FE Administrator/Visit FE website Resume/ Career preparation Start FE Search Solidify FE Site Create FE Plan Complete FE Application Register for FE credit(s) in OASIS

Preliminary Work…cont. Attend the FE Information Session Consult with your faculty advisor Required course work Required amount of FE credit (1 FE credit = 45 contact hours) Goals/Aspirations Consult with FE Administrator/Visit FE website: Resume/Career preparation

Preliminary Work…cont. Field Experience Search: Students are responsible to solidify their own field experience. Students are not placed into sites by their faculty advisor or the FE administrator.

Preliminary Work…cont. Field Experience Search: Start the search at least 2 semesters prior to the anticipated semester you will begin your field experience. Review opportunities ed from the FE Administrator Review the list of former FE sites: rmer%20Sites.pdf rmer%20Sites.pdf Be creative with your search. Reach out to organizations/agencies that interest you. Inquire about opportunities that are available or can be created. It is recommended to pursue various opportunities since some can be more competitive than others.

Preliminary Work…cont. You solidified a field experience site…what next? Ask the site supervisor or HR about any processes, documents and/or agreements required to start the field experience Affiliation Agreement/MOU (legal contract; can be a lengthy process) Background checks: html#bgcheck html#bgcheck

Preliminary Work…cont. You solidified a field experience site…what next? Create your FE Plan Includes an overall goal, public health learning objectives, methods of evaluation, specific strategies, and activities for accomplishing those goals related to your department concentration. This plan should be created and agreed upon by the student, site supervisor, and faculty advisor. Complete the FE Application Submit by the registration deadline of COPH Academic and Student Affairs Office Register for the credit(s) in OASIS Input the correct amount of FE credits FE Plan and Application here:

Field Experience is a course-PHC 6945 The FE course is a collaborative effort between the student, faculty advisor, site supervisor and FE administrator Field Experience is in Canvas!!!! What’s due: Final report Evaluation- student Evaluation- Site supervisor

Key Points Adhere to specific departmental and concentration requirements Field Experience and Special Project are separate entities Register for the correct number of FE credit hours Your direct faculty advisor cannot serve as a site supervisor COPH faculty can only serve as a site supervisor for an organization/agency outside of USF FE is a NEW experience; your current job can not count as an FE FE is not clerical or administrative in nature Working schedules are created between the site supervisor and student FE’s may or may not be paid

Expectations of FE Site Provides planning or services relevant to public health Provides opportunities to work with public health professionals Provides basic office support

Expectations of FE Site cont. Enables development and application of specific competencies: Communication and Informatics Diversity and Culture Leadership Public Health Biology Professionalism Program Planning Systems Thinking For more info visit

Expectations of FE Supervisor A public health practitioner Available and approachable Organized Mentor

Q & A from recent and previous sessions: Can I do two FE’s? Yes, you can. You can opt to do two during the same or different semesters. This will have to be approved by your advisor. Furthermore, you will have to judge if this is manageable for you as a student. I’m a dual concentration student- which one of my faculty advisors will be my advisor for FE? Usually, dual students will choose one of the faculty advisors to serve as the primary advisor for FE and the other will be the primary for special project (Please consult with your advisors). When you fill-out the FE application, you will list both advisors, furthermore both advisors will have areas for signatures on the application-BUT your will use the CRN# for the advisor that will serve as primary for FE. Can I do my FE at my current job? Your current job can not be considered an FE. Although, you are allowed to conduct your FE at your current employer as long as it is in a different department, different from your day-to-day job responsibilities and it is a different supervisor from your current job. My attempts to contact my advisor have been unsuccessful-what should I do now? Get in contact with the department receptionist or Administrator. S/he should be able to assist you.

Expectations of Student Organized Timely/deadlines University and college ambassador Open and honest communication Comply with the conditions of FE Capture images of your field work Seize the day!

Key Resources Field Experience site: Michelle Hodge, MPH Domestic Field Experience Administrator (813) Jesse Casanova, MS International Programs Administrator (813)