Navigating a field as broad as public health can be daunting for students with many passions and interests. With so many different career paths to choose from, many students feel in the dark about opportunities outside the classroom that help them learn about the field. This is where the USF College of Public Health’s (COPH) Health Scholars Program comes in.

Established initially as a way to recruit and reach out to potential public health students, the program evolved over the years to become what it is today—an opportunity for public health majors to expand their learning and skill development in a focused, experiential way. For nine months, during the fall and spring semesters, students connect with the public health community and see it in action.

According to the head of the program, Dr. Alison Oberne, director of the BSPH Program and instructor III, the central tenets of health scholars include career exploration, civic engagement, leadership and research.

“There are so many things you can do [in public health], which can be wonderful because you can always find your fit. But it can be scary because where do you start? The Health Scholars program allows students to find different aspects of public health that they hadn’t previously thought of or places they could potentially see themselves,” said Oberne.

This vision carries true for everything the coordinators plan each semester, accommodating students of all experience levels.

On the topic of whether she prefers students who already have an idea of what they want to do and students who are still exploring their options, Oberne said, “I love having both types of students in the program, because I think they fuel each other.”

“You have the students who are already committed and know what they want to do, and then you have the students who have no idea and who might learn about those opportunities from their peers or learn about student organizations or volunteer engagement or internships,” Oberne said.

Additionally, Oberne emphasized the importance of facilitating bonds between students and their peers as they complete the program, making long-lasting relationships as they start their careers.

Nupur Kothari, a current COPH student and member of the 2022-23 cohort, shared some thoughts about her experiences in the program.

“There are a lot of things I enjoyed about Health Scholars! The career site visits and volunteer opportunities are really fun ways to learn more about different careers and opportunities that I might not have thought of,” Kothari said. “The program has helped me learn more about what I am interested in in public health and exposed me to opportunities after graduation, such as graduate school. The wide variety of events, speakers and other activities we can get involved with in Health Scholars is amazing, and I am truly glad that I am a part of the cohort this year!”

Currently, the requirements to apply to the Health Scholars program include being an undergraduate public health student, having a 3.5 GPA or higher, current enrollment for the upcoming fall/spring semesters and a passion for public health as a whole.

“Every cohort is different. And that’s why we try to tailor the program to each year’s cohort,” Oberne said.

Last semester, the 2022-23 cohort had multiple experiential learning opportunities, including visiting the Florida Health Department in Hillsborough and University Area Community Development Corporation, participating in the Heart Walk at the Raymond James Stadium and volunteering at the Ybor Community Garden.

Applications to the program open this spring semester. Potential applicants will be interviewed and selected before the end of the semester. For more information, visit the program’s Instagram at @USF_HealthScholars or email Oberne.

Story by Parker Guevarra, USF College of Public Health