Introduction
Hi, we are Maddi, Meg, Mary, and Lindsey, and we are Dr. V's lab assistants for Spring 2021. This semester we have worked with the students on creating infographics, brand boards, social marketing campaign posters, and we each held lab hours if students had questions. This service learning experience was designed for undergraduate student assistants in public health. Under direct supervision of Dr. V, we furthered our undergraduate education in an applied manner and developed skills that may enhance future graduate education or employment opportunities.
RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE
- Developing professional skills in research, laboratory management, pedagogy, or programming
- Develop a written learning plan that includes the number of credits, nature of work to be accomplished, time expectations, and the number of expected meetings between the student and faculty member
- Assist with development of learning activities or social media content
- Assist with showcase planning and implementation
- Host virtual open lab hours using Zoom, during which you assist students with HLTH 3300 and 3305 assignments and test preparation
Areas of responsibility utilized
- Area VI: Communication - We sent regular emails to our Pod members and held consultation meetings to approve projects
- Area VII: Leadership and Management - We were a key resource to the students if they needed assistance or had questions on course materials and assignments
- Area VIII: Ethics and Professionalism - We further developed professional skills by watching personalized educational videos on LinkedIn
PERKS OF BEING A LAB ASSISTANT
- We improved our professional skills with a personalized syllabus
- The credits counted towards our HLTH 4996 internship (120 hours = 3 credits)
- The experience was a good resume builder for us
- We were able to make meaningful connections with professors and peers
- A key role of ours was to serve as a mentor for students
student testimonies
"This past semester, the lab assistants did an amazing job with helping through all the different projects that came to us. They were so helpful with figuring out problems, advice on how to make something look just a little bit better and always being there for any questions. Mary, Maddi and Lindsey were always so engaged and so easy to go to with any questions or problems. Thank you all so much for adding a great experience to HLTH 3300."
- Annemarie O'Keeffe '22
Reflection
Throughout this semester, we have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each student and their health interests. Working side by side with Dr. V has been a great professional experience and we are grateful for the opportunity!
Maddi Phelps '21
Hi, everyone! My name is Maddi Phelps and I am a senior in my last semester here at UMD. I have been a lab assistant for Dr. V for two semesters and have gained many professional skills in doing so. Once I graduate, I'll be going back home to the Twin Cities and finding a job, then applying to graduate school in the fall!
Mary Parsatoon '22
Hi everyone! My name is Mary Parsatoon and I am a junior in the UMD Public Health program. Along with studying Public Health, I am also majoring in International Studies and minoring in Latin American Studies. This semester I had the opportunity to intern for Dr. V as a lab assistant for HLTH 3300. After I graduate in Spring 2022, I plan on attending graduate school to get a master's in public health.