Jessica Hughes graduated with her master in public health degree in 2020, concentrating in policy and advocacy.
What was the best part of your time at Jefferson?
I made two amazing lifelong friends at Jefferson who share the same desire to make the world a better place. Shout out to LJ & Timmy!
How did Jefferson prepare you for your career?
I was in the fortunate position to work in public health while getting my MPH. Having these dual experiences enhanced my education and allowed me to apply what I was learning immediately to the working world. While exhausting, by both working and going to school, I proved to myself that I can keep going even when I felt like stopping. That has been a valuable lesson in my current position.
What are you doing now?
I was recently hired as the chief executive officer of a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike in Erie, Pa. We specialize in refugee and immigrant health care. I made it an immediate priority to partner with local MPH programs because I know that public health professionals have so much to offer the populations we serve.
What’s something people would be surprised to find out about you?
True story: I discovered public health after Googling, “What am I doing with my life?” You might say that 23-year-old me was a bit dramatic.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to our current students?
When you feel like you can’t keep your head above water, get a longer snorkel.