By: Jacqueline Pesa

The face of higher education in the US is changing. As IUPUI students, these changes are undoubtedly obvious. How many of you are over the age 25 (‘non-traditional’)? Pursuing a second degree? Looking for new and exciting challenges? Thinking about graduate school? As seasoned students return to our classrooms they bring a stimulating level of maturity and life experience that enriches learning for everyone. Education, whether formal or informal, should not end simply because a diploma is granted. We must constantly seek opportunities to gain knowledge, build skills, and gather experiences. A means of achieving this during your time at IUPUI is through the internship or ‘capstone experience”.

I recently entered into the world of the returning student and was fortunate to have the opportunity to work as a graduate intern with Eli Lilly & Co. in the US Medical Division, Health Outcomes and Evaluation Group. The internship is a requirement for the Masters’ of Public Health degree in Epidemiology though the Indiana University School of Medicine. This division is primarily responsible for producing evidence through research of the benefits of drugs in terms of efficacy, effectiveness, and cost. Among other uses, this evidence is used in marketing efforts and in education (consumers, physicians, and others responsible for prescribing, and payers). Through this experience, I learned about the pharmaceutical industry, from researchers with years of experience in their field. This has allowed me to apply my skills in conducting research.

The potential benefits of an internship depend heavily on several factors. First and foremost is the fit. If you are not finding the work enjoyable and challenging, it will be a long summer. Secondly, what are the leadership capabilities of your supervisor/preceptor? Is this person committed to making sure you have a worthwhile experience? Sit down with this person and
develop a strategic plan including goals, and timelines. You should have challenging responsibilities and the support to meet them. And lastly, if this is a company you can see yourself working for, make every effort to open doors. Arrange with your supervisor for meetings with key personnel in other departments. Sit in on meetings. Talk to people. Take everything you can from this experience.

As someone who can relate to those of you who are thinking about an internship, I feel justified in giving this piece of advice: start early in researching internship possibilities. Work closely with faculty in your department to identify the best situation for your goals and go for it. It may be one of the most important decisions in your life.

Jacqueline Pesa PILD, CHES is an Assistant Professor at the School of Physical Education

TCEM Welcomes New Faculty
By: Linda Brothers

The department of Tourism, Conventions, and Event Management is pleased to welcome its newest member of the faculty - Dr. Francis Achana. Dr Achana
completed his Ph.D. at Purdue University from the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. He completed his Master of Science degree at the University of Idaho’s program in Resource Recreation and Tourism. Throughout his post- baccalaureate courses, Dr. Achana has cultivated an interest in cultural and heritage tourism using an internship with the National Park Service to evaluate the heritage tourism value of the Underground Railroad from the slavery era of the United States and to create a brochure for the NPS titled, The Potomac River: A Guide to African American Heritage. He co-authored a chapter, The Transboundary Relationship between National Parks and Adjacent Communities for the National Parks and Rural Development in the United States in September 2000. Dr. Achana is currently teaching TCEM 272: The Tourism System, TCEM 372: International Travel Geography, and TCEM 231: Marketing for Tourism and Hospitality. His expertise in the areas of tourism and marketing will contribute to the department’s need to expand offerings of these courses due to increased enrollment in the Bachelor of Science degree.

Physical Education Teaching Award

All full-time and associate faculty members are eligible for the teaching awards – one award to a full-time faculty member and one to an associate. Nominations are due by December 20. Students, staff or faculty may submit a nomination by sending their name, telephone number, and email with the name and rank of the nominee and an explanation of the reason why the faculty member has been nominated. Please include specific examples describing the individual’s teaching excellence. Nominations can be sent as attachments to: Ibrothe@iupui.edu or by paper to: Linda Brothers, PE 259A, 901 W. New York St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-5193.

A Reminder…

Spring semester is fast approaching! Be sure to register for classes, especially for those that are quickly filling up. Those students wishing to take TCEM
L291 at Camp Brosius next summer must register for TCEM 291 (lecture) this spring.

Closed TCEM Class: 141 172310461
Cancelled TCEM Class: 292
Department of Physical Education (HPER) Closed Classes: P241, P245, P291, P374, P397, P403, P493, E105, E112, E148, E596, E259, E275, P195(Sec.D511), F255 (Sec. 0544), S100 (Sec. D567)

Cancelled HPER Classes: H317, H315, R423, E100 (Sec.
0559/D565), E270 (Sec. D609), E290 (Sec. D614), H160 (Sec. D490/D491)