by Austin Witt ’17
Major: Exercise science (psychology minor)
Hometown: Washington, Iowa
I am working for AmeriCorps and Iowa Community Action Association as a Public Allies Iowa AmeriCorps apprentice. These programs combine their efforts towards public empowerment in the program called Public Allies. My internship partner, Molly Hale ‘16, also attended Central.
My job as an apprentice within Public Allies is helping with poverty research across Iowa, specifically in leadership development. I work with college students to conduct personal interviews with low-income and impoverished individuals across Iowa. We transcribe data from their personal experiences in poverty, then gather data on state and governmental programs.
Studying health, statistics and psychology at Central has prepared me to work in this area. Specifically, taking Aging and Older Adulthood class with Dr. Keith Jones allowed me to work with statistics, health, and interpersonal communication with adults. Working each day with a new and diverse set of individuals has prepared me, as well as gathering data in the classroom.
This opportunity has helped shape my professional career in multiple ways — becoming a more effective leader and learning about Iowa demographics and how state and governmental programs are working. I’ve been able to focus on the topics I would like to pursue in graduate school, within the area of public health or epidemiology.
Read more about internships through Central.
