Kamillah Tumakay, MPA
Associate Director, Campus Wellness 教育
First day of work at San José State University
2022年2月14日
你怎么到这儿来的?
My journey started with my first job at 15 ½ working for Kentucky Fried Chicken. 这 experience set the humble beginnings of the following opportunities that continued to nurture my skills, passion, and values. I am first-gen and graduated from college here at 菠菜网lol正规平台 as an undergrad in Health 科学s, and at that time I was also a Peer Health Educator, and a sister of Kappa Psi Epsilon, Beta Chapter. 的连接 with 工作人员 and 教师 throughout that time led me to interning for Asian American Recovery Services where I facilitated Individual and Group level early intervention 编程. My first big girl job after graduation was with Santa Clara County developing and implementing community mental health promotion and early intervention 编程. There I learned the value of working with community leaders and turning to them as 专家们. I then moved on to work for the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation where I experienced public health 编程 that addressed more of the social inequities that communities were facing and worked to fight against health disparities. 在这里 I am now- back where I started at 菠菜网lol正规平台- now in service to young adults and implementing public health 编程 in a University setting. All of my experiences both personal and professional led me to this role now where I can lead with lived experience, and be a steward of community health and well-being.
Who were your role models or mentors?
My role models are my mom, dad, aunties, and uncles. I learned early on the values of hard work and not taking any opportunity for granted. 我的导师们 to be strong women in leadership positions. At every organization that I’ve been a part of- I’ve had the privilege of being coached and mentored by women in power that have taught me lifelong lessons I still carry with me today.
What are your tips for getting started in this field?
Do the hard work- not only in academics but out in the field and internally. 自我 reflection is key in exploring your own personal values and purpose. 这些信息 will help guide you along the way of figuring out what you’re meant to be doing. 研究 organizations or people that are aligned with your values, find the contact information of some一个 in charge, and reach out to them with authenticity, vision, contribution, 和谦卑. There are many levels of Public Health- choose work that motivates and inspires you and that’s where you start.
What are your most important habit(s) or resource(s) for staying well?
自我 reflection, Lifelong learning, Connecting with others, Music, and most importantly 祷告:)
