April Alumni Spotlight with Iris Velasco
Iris Velasco, originally of Phoenix, received an MPH in Health Behavior and Health Promotion in 2007. Her undergraduate degree is in chemical engineering. "I worked as an engineer for several years, but my heart was never in it," said Velasco, who is now an HIV/AIDS specialist at the Columbus Urban League in Columbus. "I'm still solving problems, but of the health kind - and the work is so much more meaningful to me."
Velasco's academic advisor was Dr. Phyllis Pirie. "I was also her GRA for one year," Velasco said. "It was a great opportunity to learn a lot from her."
Briefly explain your job responsibilities.
My focus is on HIV prevention. I do monthly HIV testing and counseling at the Columbus Urban League and outreach sites, HIV prevention workshops for all ages, HIV prevention supply distribution, and community events. I’m also a member of Columbus and Ohio groups for HIV prevention, and a Columbus group for HIV care.
What do you enjoy about your work?
I enjoy that I’m making a difference and doing work that I love. The people I serve are the biggest reward (and sometimes the biggest challenge) in this work. I am very encouraged when talking to someone about HIV, and I can see that they understand and are beginning to think about their own personal risk and prevention. HIV testing and counseling is also extremely rewarding because clients come up with their own risk reduction plan and take ownership of their health.
What’s challenging about it?
Funding is my biggest challenge, and lack of time to do all the work that I want.
Do you have a fond OSU memory to share?
My best memories are of the friends that I made in the program. We went through a lot together, but also had a lot of fun, especially at the end of each quarter! I remember going to Mirror Lake before the Michigan game, lots of happy hours, and wearing bathing suits to our last spring quarter final exam because we were en route to a pool party! Hope I haven’t said too much.
What’s one thing you learned at the College of Public Health that’s helped you in “the real world?”
I learned that solid goals and objectives, program planning, and evaluation plans are what funders really want in a good program.
What public health issues concern you the most now that “you’re on the outside?”
I was concerned with HIV prevention even as a student and before. Now it’s been my career for the year since I graduated and I can see it being my career for life.
What advice do you have for others who are interested in pursuing a career in public health?
I think the best advice is to choose a public health field for which you have tremendous passion. Passion for HIV prevention is what I know landed my first job. Passion will keep you going when things get tough, when funding gets cut, when people are difficult. Passion will see you through.
Anything else?
Go Bucks!
