Sarah Siebers, a recent graduate from BYU’s Master of Public Health program, is setting out in the world to improve health communication and promotion in communities.
Siebers originally discovered public health after having a personal experience. Following stomach problems and a brief interest in nutrition, she found her way to public health and began creating change.
Within the program, she fell in love with the communication and education side of health.
“I found frustration within my own life, and I saw that others also did not know prevention-based actions you can take with your health,” Siebers said. “I found a need in my own life, and in others around me, to gain that knowledge and be able to communicate it effectively.”
Emphasizing in Health Promotion, Siebers enjoyed a wide range of classes during her undergraduate and master’s programs from Josh West, Jeff Glenn, and Ali Crandall. The classes included a range of topics, including healthcare policies, health behavior change theories, and population mental health.
All of these courses helped Siebers find her niche and interests within the public health world. Applying her classroom knowledge in real-world settings, Siebers completed fieldwork for Meals on Wheels and Select Health.
At Meals on Wheels, she adapted surveys, performed and documented assessments, and trained others. She said the experience allowed her to gain insight into governmental roles.
Siebers also contributed passionate time to Select Health by completing biometric screening events, evaluating health presentations, and facilitating discussions on cultural competency.
“These experiences just gave me more information on the direction I want to go with public health,” she said. “Public health is very broad, and it was so nice to have experience in two different areas.”
Now, Siebers is looking for a full-time position to continue doing what she loves — health promotion and communications. In the meantime, she is continuing her internship with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services until she finds a full-time job.
Although she hasn’t found the perfect fit yet, Siebers emphasized the importance of patience.
“You have to have patience with yourself while trying to find a job,” she said.
She also advises other students to take advantage of the opportunities available at BYU.
“We had a lot of opportunities to work with different partners, school projects, capstone, and field work,” Siebers said. “Take advantage of those opportunities and be sure to build great relationships.”
As she moves on from BYU, Siebers will carry the lessons and experiences from the public health department with her. From courses to internships, her determination and grit within the program will propel her into a meaningful career in health promotion.
