Andrea Hernan

Research Assistant - Department of Rural Health

Graduated in:

2008

Course completed:

Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion

Currently working for:

Greater Green Triangle University, Department of Rural Health

How long have you been working for this organisation?

3 years

Position title and short job description:

I am a Research Assistant at the Greater Green Triangle University Department of Rural Health (GGT UDRH) within the Researcher Development Program (RDP).

I contribute to many of the research projects at the UDRH which include diabetes prevention, youth mental health service delivery and recruitment and retention of allied health professionals. I have been involved in many of the projects at different stages of development from concept development to writing for publication. Some of the tasks which I have undertaken include literature reviews, data entry and analysis, report writing, writing for publication, presenting at conferences, grant writing and health policy strategy development.

Working highlight so far:

The major career highlight for me has been my involvement in a project which aims to prevent type 2 diabetes in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations. In this project I assisted in developing a report which outlined recommendations for policy development in this area. I was involved in the process of research informing policy development, and I got to see how the product of our research can make a difference to improve the health and well being of these communities.

An area in which you have needed assistance:

I have need extra training in the statistical software package SPSS and basic statistical understanding.

#1 tip for current students studying your course:

The number one tip that I could give to students is to make the most of the learning and practical experiences that they have. Also make the most of networking opportunities and making contacts with people in the field. This will help with finding a job and keeping it, as ‘it’s not who you know, it’s who knows you’.