I am constantly in search of a new adventure, so much so that I braved the East Coast snowstorm, withstood constant flight delays, and swapped the 60-degree San Francisco weather for D.C.'s 9 degrees to participate in a PLEN's seminar.
I am a junior majoring in Neuroscience & Behavior at Barnard College with a passion for broadcasting and communications. Recently, I reached a stage where I increasingly grew uncertain about what I should do with a degree in the sciences. One of the most important takeaways from this seminar is to embrace uncertainties and less traveled paths. I learned that there is a wide spectrum of career opportunities besides becoming a doctor.
Each day, I gained new perspectives on leadership and the intersection of science and policy from incredible women from the government, non-profit, and private sectors. Through site visits to the White House, Capitol Hill, and National Institutes of Health, I was exposed to a new area where science, technology, health and policy integrate to affect a greater population. I was eager to hear from women role models in the health-policymaking profession while gaining an understanding of the challenges associated with succeeding in this field. One common theme I noticed across the speakers was that nobody had a straight path, even if it appeared so on a biography description.
For example, Dr. Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay. She wears several leadership hats at the NIH as an Acting Director of the Office of Biotechnology Activities and the Office of Science Policy. She initially went to law school, followed by receiving a medical degree in her thirties. She now manages activities in the Biotechnology Assessment program, the Biosafety Program and the Biosecurity program while contributing to implementing science policy. There was also Danielle Carnival, Ph.D. She initially thought of going to medical school and was in the interview process when she decided to follow a different path in the science world. She is currently the Senior Policy Advisor at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (I want to be her!). None of these incredible women thought that they will be performing the jobs they are in today. Of course there were challenges and obstacles along the way like any journey called Life, but the moral of the story is to have an open mind and get comfortable with the uncomfortable.
One of my most memorable encounter at this seminar was with Jeff Meer at the Public Health Institute (he is the one who recruited Angelina Jolie to join the United Nations!). An amicable and accomplished man, Mr. Meer carried cultural awareness and global health knowledge that was not only impressive but also empowering. I learned a great deal about noncommunicable diseases, which killed two-thirds of the world population in 2010, and how the solution to this issue can be as simple as executing a healthy lifestyle. As someone who has not missed a single day of workout since 1st grade and who eats nothing but healthy food, I grew excited as I found a global health issue that I am interested in.
The pivotable moment came when Mr. Meer asked, "What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?" Each of my colleagues went around to state their passions and aspirations, and predicted where they will stand in 2019. When it was my turn, I started out by sharing my passions for public health and broadcasting. Then it all came together: I want to become a medical/ health correspondent (like CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta and NBC's Dr. Nancy Snyderman) playing a role in educating the public about noncommunicable diseases and building a system that keeps people healthy through effective communication. Although it may take more than 5 years to get to my dream job, I was thrilled to consolidate my passions for public health and communications at the PHI.
I am so glad to have kicked off 2014 by connecting and networking not only with current women leaders in D.C., but also emerging leaders in science policy (also known as my peers). The PLEN seminar provided me with a comprehensive career options in science and health policy and strengthened my negotiation, communications, and leadership skills. Every day of the seminar stretched me in all directions (not to mention overcoming the freezing weather on the day we visited the White House while having to pass through three securities) and I am both excited and overwhelmed by the all the options and possibilities in science that are available. I hope that I can use my skills and newly acquired knowledge about science policy to make a difference in this world.
I strongly encourage all college women interested in health policy, government, law, and/or non-profit to participate in a PLEN seminar. It is truly a transformative experience and will inspire you to implement a change.
Hye-Jin Yun is an Athena Scholar and a junior at Barnard College at Columbia University.
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