TGIM: Jack of All Trades, Master of Two

Welcome back to Thank God It’s Monday!

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​tl;dr Degrees are an expensive piece of paper. The most important lessons are the ones about the human condition and our personal ability to impact the world.
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I remember sitting in a weekend certification class at Chelsea Piers Fitness early in my personal training career. It was a corrective exercise lab hosted by Brent Brookbush and we brought protein bars and energy drinks to fuel us for two long days. I think the chocolate sprinkled donut Quest bar had just come out and I was so excited to try it. But the most memorable part of the weekend was one of the first slides where Brent Brookbush introduced himself and listed his credentials (MS, PES, CES, CSCS, ACSM-H/FSPresident, B2C Fitness, LLC). At the time, that alphabet soup after his name was so impressive to me, and it instilled in me a drive to be “as smart as him” one day.

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Fast forward some five years later and I’ve completed several training specializations, a nutrition coaching certification, and two masters degrees. I’ve tried to make somewhat of an alphabet soup of my own. But if I’ve learned anything over the last several years it’s that some letters after a name don’t mean anything.

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There are doctors who are in terrible health, lawyers with questionable morals, and accountants who are in debt. People pay a whole lot of money to get a piece of paper and it doesn’t make them a better person, more successful, or happier. Alphabet soup has lost its appeal.

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Of course there is value in many degrees. The only reason I can practice as a physician assistant and passed my boards is because of my degree. As is for many occupations. But a good PA or lawyer or doctor is not good because of the letters after their names, it’s because they care about their job, want to help people, and strive to constantly improve. And those qualities are not reserved to those with some fancy letters. They make for any good person.

So in light of submitting my last assignment for my degree in public health yesterday, I’d like to share some lessons that are applicable to human nature and not just some extra letters. I’ll list them by the core competencies of what we learn in public health.

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1. Epidemiology: this is the study of how often different diseases occur in different groups of people and why. A helpful skill that derives from this fascinating field is the ability to recognize patterns. Noticing patterns can help you create more efficient systems in your life, prevent avoidable problems, and help you make the most of your energy. And if you’re so inclined, it can help you recognize disease patterns!
2. Biostatistics: this is the application of statistical techniques to scientific research. If you’re like me, using computer coding to analyze large data sets is not your idea of a good time. However, it did help develop the ability to read results of papers and question the numbers presented. For example, if you have Fox news and CNN on two screens right next to each other, they might present two sides of the same data point (ie one saying how amazing it is 60% of the population supporting a movement is and the other saying how questionable it is to have 40% of the population opposing the same movement). Being able to question any number presented to you is a critical thinking skill necessary especially in today’s news environment.
3. Environmental health: this focuses on the relationship between people and their environment. Being aware of how we impact the world around us and equally how the world impacts us is crucial, especially in this time where we’re on the precipice of irreversible global warming. While I don’t think it’s reasonable to ask everyone to never use any plastic ever again, creating an awareness of this relationship is necessary for any hope for change.
4. Health policy and management: this is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the delivery, quality, and costs of health care for individuals and populations. A valuable skill that came from this area is the ability to develop a plan for change and consider the stakeholders. Health care is one of those big, broken systems that feels impossible to change, and murdering a CEO clearly isn’t the answer. But learning how to address the appropriate stakeholders and develop a plan for change is applicable to any field and in any job.
5. Social and behavioral sciences: this is a field of health which refers to the larger social constructs that influence behavior and impact individual, community, and population health. These were certainly my favorite classes because what is more interesting than learning what inspires people to change? No matter if you’re negotiating a business deal, settling a case, making an argument, or raising kids, you’ll never get what you want (or need) if you don’t know what inspires people to change. This skill is the most valuable aspect of my education because it is what is at the root of human nature.

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While I don’t think this degree on its own is the ultimate game changer, the lessons I will take from it and how they will continue to influence how I work with people is what I will value most moving forward. I know I will continue to learn year after year, but whether that will only be through self-study, certifications, or more schooling will unfold itself in the future.
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I hope you that each of you continues to find something to learn and look for how every lesson you learn gives you further insight into the ever-elusive question of human nature.

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If you found some value in this, please share it with a friend you think would enjoy it! And let me know if you’d like to be added to get TGIM.

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This week, my podcast recommendation is from Paul Levitin’s Change Made Easy, “Smart Choices Made Easy: The Power of Cognitive Awareness with Dr. Bo Bennet.”

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With that, stay curious my friends.

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Until next time,

Shannon
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P.S.

1. I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old.
2. I am of the nature to have ill health. There is no way to escape having ill health.
3. I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape death.
4. All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no way to escape being separated from them.
5. My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand.