Hello all! I am a bit late to find this... probably because I am/was considered a nontraditional student due to my age and I forget that you can basically find all information from the internet! I'll introduce my background because it may differ from a "normal" (what is normal, really?) pathway, or be similar to someone that might feel like they may not be what the program is looking for.
I am originally from Michigan, but married my husband (who is serving in the Army) and decided to move with him after my first semester in college... that was over 11 years ago! We started off in Louisiana (pretty much a shock for a 19 year old who has only ever lived in an area that experiences all 4 seasons). We have also lived in Kentucky/Tennessee, Florida, and Kansas. After moving to Kansas, I was able to finish my Bachelor's degree in Microbiology at Kansas State University. During my time at Kstate, I was involved in undergraduate research in a virology lab working with Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (I also rear them in the insectary) and the Sindbis virus to further understand viral replication within that important vector. I have taken courses in pathogenic micro, virology, human parasitology (by far the best course I have taken in my undergraduate studies), and immunology, but have not been able to take any in "Public Health". I am very interested vector-borne diseases as well as being out in the field (so it's not a surprise that I am leaning towards earning my Master's degree in Epidemiology). I have done 2 semesters of student teaching in the general microbiology lab and am also a CNA. In my personal life, I have 2 children and a dog who thinks he's much smaller and should always sit in your lap. I have also had to keep it together during my husband's 4 overseas deployments during his career that is coming to an end this summer. I do not have any real/formal public health experience, but I am assuming if they send me an offer, it'll be due to a background that can be brought to/compliment the public health setting.
In January I stumbled upon the application for the PHAP while browsing the USAJobs website and immediately felt like that is what I am supposed to do... so here I am now, with most of you, waiting very anxiously near the phone and computer! Good luck to all!
