matthew newland '92
Major: Sociology & Asian Studies
Career field: Public Health (HIV)
Job title: Pubilc Health Analyst
Employer: US Department of Health and Human Services
In two to three sentences, please describe what your current position entails.
I am a project officer for community based programs that provide HIV/AIDS services under the Ryan White Program. The program is designed to provide HIV/AIDS services to people without health care.
What has been your career path to date?
In graduate school, I focused on the HIV epidemic and interventions in domestic and international settings. I wrote my dissertation on HIV/AIDS in Thailand.
Which country(ies) has your work taken you to?
Thailand
How did your interest in working internationally develop?
It began when I participated on the Term in Asia Program back in 1990 with my advisor/mentor, Mike Leming.
Which parts of your St. Olaf education best prepared you to work internationally?
Term in Asia/travel abroad and also being a foreign student counsellor during my sophomore year.
What is the most difficult or challenging aspect about working internationally?
Dealing with the sheer numbers of people, programs and organizations with different and often competing agendas.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of working internationally?
Seeing my work make a difference in people's lives; providing anti-retroviral therapy and support services for affected communities.
What does being a “global citizen” mean to you?
Identifying myself as a responsible member of the global community, sensitive to other people's culture and being proactive in facilitating harmonious relationships.
What advice would you offer current students interested in working internationally?
Travel the world as a student, not a tourist. Make the effort to learn another language, even a few phrases before visiting another country. Meet and befriend international students on campus. Someday, that may be you living, studying or working in another country, culture and language.
Please include anything else you would like to share about your experiences.
Seek first to listen and understand in an unbiased manner.
Contact information:
mattnewlandphd@yahoo.com mnewland@hrsa.gov