Public Health nurturing tomorrow's workforce

Two students from The University of Western Australia (UWA) are the latest to complete a three-month work placement at the Public Health Service located at the Anita Clayton Centre in Perth.

Lauryn Magee and Aniq Alfie are both studying a Masters in Public Health with plans to work in epidemiology when they graduate.

Public Health Service Director Jo Fagan said the service has been fortunate to attract Masters of Public Health students from UWA since 2021.

"We accommodate one to two students per year for a three month practicum. They receive exposure to a real work environment, while we get the opportunity to work with the students and hear about their ideas to solve some of our issues," Jo said.

"Senior Public Health staff also visit the students on campus where they share their career pathway stories and provide advice about what employers are looking for to help the new graduates secure early career positions."

Lauryn worked with the team at Metropolitan Communicable Disease Control (MCDC), creating a suite of culturally appropriate, translatable immunisation resources for the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Community.

"I feel very lucky to have spent time at MCDC. I had the opportunity to work with clients to better understand what they need to know about immunisation and help identify areas that need to be addressed in a resource," Lauryn said.

Aniq was placed with the WA Tuberculosis Control Program. Aniq conducted a qualitative investigation to examine the emotions and challenges patients experience when told they have TB and how they cope with treatment during their tuberculosis journey. This information will assist with service improvement.

"I'm incredibly grateful for my time at Public Health, it has given me a new level of appreciation about the surveillance of diseases and need for public awareness and advocacy," Aniq said.

"The work placement has definitely helped shape and confirm my career plans."