Internship Interview - Kathryn Laliberte
Name: Kathryn Laliberte
Internship Location: Greenville, North Carolina
Organization: Vidant Cancer Care
Responsibilities: This semester, I am completing an internship with Vidant Cancer Care. I strive to promote Vidant’s mission of improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina by working closely with my supervisor, who is also a nurse, to educate the community about cancer. My main focus this semester has been lung cancer and tobacco cessation. I have done numerous presentations to local community centers about lung cancer, as well as a presentation on vaping to 4th, 5th, middle school, and high school students at a local county’s school. I have attended a variety of meetings that have exposed me to different communication styles among team members and the other sides of the hospital’s operations. I assist with events at local churches and businesses, as well as developing educational materials and assisting in a variety of office functions and other small projects as needed. I have had the chance to plan a breast cancer screening and a head and neck cancer screening this semester, and will help teach employees at a local business how to perform self-examinations for skin cancer. Additionally, I will have a lung cancer table at two health fairs this semester.
Advice to Upcoming Interns: I would suggest to start looking for an internship as soon as you can. My first choice was with Vidant Cancer Care, and I was fortunate enough to receive an offer for spring 2019. However, when I went to interview over the summer, I found out that they have had a few interviews already, which initially made me panic. Don’t let yourself fall behind! The internship will provide you with a lot of networking opportunities. Always be social and try to create as many relationships as you can. You never know if someone you are talking to could be your future employer, so have a positive attitude and be a team player.
About Kathryn Laliberte: Before my internship, I had no idea what role I wanted to play in the public health field. This internship has given me a clear direction for where I want to pursue a career in the future as well as a boost of confidence. I have always had a passion for nursing, and that might be a something I’d pursue in the later future. I would love to combine a nursing background and public health background to make the biggest impact in peoples’ lives. I love to spend time with friends and family, as well as travel, and hope to do so after graduation before I embark on my next journey.