HLTH 780 UM Public Health Greater Washington Urban League Infographic

Identify and research a community health (or health related) organization or agency at the local or state level via their website and other secondary sources (e.g. news articles, promotional materials, etc.). Once you have researched the organization/agency, virtually interview the president, chairperson, director, or one of the employees (whoever is most appropriate) to follow-up with and ask specific questions you now have after investigating the organization. For example, you might ask:

1. Has your mission changed over the years and if yes, how? (Obviously, if you learned via your research their mission has remained constant, don’t ask this.)

2. Which priority area is most important to your organization and why? 

3. What has been the most challenging part of running/working at your organization? (Or doing your specific job in the organization?)

4. What best prepared you for your current position?

5. What are the most important skills you need to do your job well?

6. What do you like best about the organization and your work?

7. Do you have any advice for someone starting out in the community health or non-profit (or whatever else might be applicable) field?

8. Organizationally, what is frustrating about working here? Are the management and leadership good? (Of course, be tactful).

9. Do you have any advice for me as a soon to be graduated public health professional?

10. What do you think are the skills that will be most helpful to me as a public health professional–leadership skills, grant-writing, program planning, data analysis, etc. (You can add others.)

11. Does your organization work with interns?

There are many additional questions you can ask. However, do not ask a question if the information is readily available elsewhere.

Interviews can take place over the phone or on zoom. I recommend zoom because you can record those meetings (get permission, of course) and you will not have to worry about taking notes. Identify the local or state level organization early in the semester, as it may take a while to schedule the interview. There can be no duplicate organizations–please sign up early (on the google doc I have provided) to ensure you are able to investigate the health-related community organization you are most interested in.

Once you have researched the organization and completed the interview, create a fact sheet, infographic, or brochure about the organization to share with everyone in the class. Make certain you describe the organization’s mission, goals, projects, and organizational structure (number of staff, funding, budget, etc.). Do not simply cut and paste the information you gleaned from your secondary sources (although an occasional quote is acceptable); rewrite the information you have gathered using plain language. Make certain your fact sheet, info-graphic, or brochure is visually appealing and contains graphics as well as text, and references. 

You will present your infographic, fact sheet, or brochure with all of us the day of our health organization seminar.

My organizion is Greater Washington Urban League and do research on them to answer the questions.