#2023Trojan: Meet Sarah Kukich, Master of Public Health Online Program Graduate

Why did you choose to pursue your degree at USC?

Rather than checking a box in a classroom, the Master of Public Health program at USC enables you to practice as a professional through the 260-hour practicum experience. I was most excited to contribute to the field of public health and feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to do so with the support of USC.

What is one of your favorite memories from your program?

The discussions about the challenges of conducting research with vulnerable populations, such as ensuring true informed consent is obtained. This was eye-opening and pivotal to my graduate experience.

What course in the program did you enjoy the most and why?

I enjoyed the Environmental Health courses because of the breadth of topics covered and the flexibility to dive deeper into any issue of choice.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

Incoming students should be prepared to push themselves as far as they can; you will get out of this program what you put in.

Where did you complete your practicum requirement and what did you learn from your experience?

I worked closely with Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Water—the water utility serving nearly 1.8 million people in Maryland. I had the opportunity to practice a range of skills from the creation of surveys to biostatistical analysis, while experiencing the working environment of a quasi-governmental utility organization. My work contributed to addressing the gaps of environmental justice and promoting risk, rather than crisis communication in response to water contamination.

What are you planning to do after graduation?

My next chapter begins in June 2023 as the US Coast Guard’s Safety and Environmental Health Officer in District 1, serving all of New England and New York.