/ The Young People’s Health Group
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In reflecting on my internship experience at the Burnet Institute, I am proud of how much I have grown both personally and professionally. During my time with the Young People’s Health group under Dr. Megan Lim, I immersed myself in various projects that provide critical insights into adolescent health, specifically youth sexual health and wellness.
The Burnet Institute is a clinical and public health research institute in Melbourne, Australia. Notably, it is the only Australian medical research institute accredited as a non-government organization. Burnet operates across three core programs: health security and pandemic preparedness, disease elimination, and women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health. The Young People’s Health group focuses on the latter and aims to impact youth health and well-being through education on sex, relationships, and pornography. They also play a role in influencing local health policy and empowering young people by giving them a platform to voice their opinions on health and society.
I contributed to several key projects: “Coping with COVID-19: Young People’s Health and Wellbeing in Australia,” which explored the pandemic's impact on youth, particularly in terms of mental health and employment disruptions; “Transitions and Risk in Young People (TRYP) project,” which focused on modifiable health risk behaviors during the transition from adolescence to adulthood; and “The Gist,” a pornography education program aimed at improving sexual health among marginalized youth. My responsibilities ranged from conducting literature reviews and systematic reviews to developing informational content and designing the materials for a new vaginal health project.
The most fulfilling aspect of my internship was the opportunity to design a participatory development workshop for a new bacterial vaginosis treatment trial. I developed institutional review board (IRB) documents, survey materials, and lesson plans for the workshop with the support of our collaborators at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre. This experience allowed me to engage with diverse aspects of clinical and public health research, expanding my skillset and reinforcing my decision to explore global health work more tangibly before committing to a graduate program.
One of my goals in pursuing an internship at Burnet was to gain insight into potential career paths in public health post-graduation. I was a pre-health student for the majority of my undergraduate career and wanted to expand my skills beyond clinical work during my Albright internship. My time at Burnet highlighted the multidisciplinary nature of global health work, revealing the combination of clinical research, public health, and policy work that goes into a career in this field. This experience also affirmed that I did not have to choose between my passions; instead, I could pursue a career that encompasses both.
Throughout my internship, I was also introduced to the differing workplace culture at Burnet and, more broadly, in Australia. The work-life balance, collaborative environment, and emphasis on personal growth were refreshing compared to my experiences in the U.S. I valued the friendships and professional networks I built and appreciated the slower-paced lifestyle that encouraged a balance between work and personal interests.
The international aspect of my internship presented both challenges and opportunities. As a low-income student, the chance to travel and immerse myself in a new culture was invaluable. I faced the challenge of navigating a new environment alone, advocating for myself, and stepping outside my comfort zone to attend workshops and networking events. These experiences taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of seizing opportunities for personal and professional growth. Reflecting on my experience, I wish I had participated in more of the seminars and professional development workshops offered by Burnet. I was initially hesitant to put myself out there, but I now recognize the value of taking full advantage of every opportunity presented during such a unique experience.
As I move forward in my career, I am confident the lessons learned during my internship at Burnet will follow me. I now better understand the importance of having an open mind, embracing opportunities for growth, and cultivating a balance between professional aspirations and personal well-being. These insights will undoubtedly shape my approach to navigating my career post-graduation.
