Caitlin Patterson received her BS in Community Health, Global Health Concentration in 2015. She is now a Women's Health Educator.
What do you do now?
I am the Women's Health Educator of Novant Health UVA Health System. I love that I get to be creative in our health education outreach efforts. I teach health education classes for women ages 9 to 99. I plan, implement and evaluate our programs for the Prince William, Haymarket, and Culpeper, VA that focus on improving health outcomes for women.
How do you think your degree at Mason prepared you for where you are now?
I believe my experience at Mason prepared me with real-world examples of community health programs and initiatives. My undergraduate assignments mirror the type of the projects I work on today.
What's your favorite part about what you do?
I love that I get to be creative in our health education outreach efforts. I am very lucky to have supportive leadership who foster my creativity and help me grow.
Why did you choose Mason?
I chose Mason because of the accessibility to local, state, national and international health initiatives. I felt I would gain valuable real-world knowledge from the experienced professors and that I would receive more opportunities to participate in relevant internships.
What was most surprising or memorable about your Mason experience?
During my time at Mason, we initiated the largest founding class of Eta Sigma Gamma Health Education Honorary. It was a great experience to see an organization with national recognition come to campus.
Do you have any advice for students currently in the program?
Find a mentor. Whether a professor, intern supervisor, or club moderator – find someone to mentor you. Your mentor can become your biggest cheerleader and will direct you in the best career path. I have been so lucky to have mentors who have guided me through my career thus far, and I have learned more from them than I ever could from a textbook!