Learning Through Experience

Andrew

Experience Information

Employer: American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids
Job Title: Health and Safety Services Department Assistant
Major: Health Professions
Received Credit?: Yes
Paid?: No

Description of the Organization

The American Red Cross is a non-profit organization the helps individuals through all walks of life. Through the known classes of CPR, AED, Blood-Borne Pathogens, along with the lesser known, Citizen CPR, Whales Tales, and Scrubby the bear, the community is brought together in preparedness and safety. Without the Red Cross, many Americans, and countries nationwide would not enjoy some of the comfort that we take for granted. For example, the Red Cross responds to 100% of house fires in West Michigan. They give the family a temporary place to live, along with items that they will need in their rough time.

Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed

I have completed projects that related to human health and behavior. I have been tasked to re-word and re-write national programs, such as, Be Ready 1-2-3, a safety course, Safe On My Own, a child safety class that teaches children how be safe if they have to be left alone, and Citizen CPR, a hands only form of CPR. Throughout these courses I was responsible for the language, implementation, direction, and overall success and promotion of the program.

Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience

I gained the ability to interact with certain populations in a way that will allow me to complete work later on in the professional world. I have also learned specific health behavior models and techniques that are implemented everyday to supplement learning and create a more substantial and accurate experience.

Favorite Part of the Experience

My favorite part of the experience would have to be re-working all the programs. I got to see first hand what others had done in the past, apply knowledge to make them more successful, and watch the children enjoy the classes but being able to retain the knowledge necessary to be effective.

How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals

My future career goals are at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, Health Behavior and Health Education. I have been accepted in the fall and I know that the skills that I have learned here have influenced that experience. I was able to get a head start on all my colleagues when it comes to behavioral health. I believe that this has influenced my future in that I know that I want to work with whole families, you cannot just treat the person, you must treat the whole family and their interactions within the community.

All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of GVSU.