Choose Your Own Adventure: A Certificate Story

The University and the Genetic Counseling Program offer many valuable experiences, and Pittsburgh is never at a shortage of events or neighborhoods to explore, but prioritizing is paramount for a successful learning experience.  When I considered adding a certificate to my educational experience, I knew I needed to feel confident it was the right fit before I would be willing to make the commitment.  The main issues I considered were my personal connection with the certificate topics, how they would impact my practice, time obligations, and, to a lesser extent, logistics. What follows is an abridged version of my decision-making process before adding the LGBT Health Certificate to my graduate experience.   Full disclosure: I’m a huge fan of Excel sheets, so this was originally done in more of a weighted calculation rubric set-up, but a narrative of my decision-making seemed more reader friendly. 

I insisted on taking summer classes throughout college, taught for four years, and still consider nonfiction a pleasure to read.  In short, I enjoy learning.  In undergrad, I ended up adding a minor and a certificate because I just couldn’t quit reading course descriptions and signing up.  It may be a problem, but it’s also led to some of my most enriching educational experiences.  A Global Politics of HIV/AIDS course changed the way I view access to healthcare and the stigmas that surround certain diseases.  A community engagement course led to a position as a volunteer coordinator in a fair-trade store where I was stunned by the impact that micro loans and artisan ownership can have on the global economy.  The certificate program would once again allow an opportunity to step outside of the prescribed curriculum and explore how other public health concerns could impact our practice as genetic counselors.  While some seemed to be close to classes I was already taking, classes that would allow the greatest chance to meet other students and step outside of the expected were of the most interest.  Everyone identifies with different aspects of our healthcare system and it was exciting to see that Pitt Public Health takes this into account.  There was Health Systems Leadership and Management or Health Care Systems Engineering for those most interested in management and infrastructure.  Other courses seemed to offer a more in-depth look at topics touched on in our required classes, like Global Health and Public Health Genetics.  Because of my interest and passion in health equity, I was interested in certificates that focused on how minority groups navigate their healthcare and how I could facilitate access for these groups.  Several certificates allowed the opportunity to work with different communities, so I knew it was not a matter of whether or not to pursue a certificate, but which one to choose

As professionals, we adopt the tenets of our chosen careers.  Genetic counseling focuses on empowerment of our clients and a holistic, non-directive, egalitarian approach to healthcare.  It was this focus on access to services and the client-centered care that initially drew me to genetic counseling, and Pitt specifically.  My personal tenets aligned with ensuring that despite barriers, a patient was able to understand their options and select next steps that aligned best with their values and beliefs.  Being in the Human Genetics Department in the School of Public Health, we have the unique experience of gaining a deep understanding of the biology while looking more globally at how individuals fit into the population approach to medicine.  I knew this inclusive perspective would provide an excellent basis for my future career, but the certificate allowed me to further inform my future practice.  I had already identified a few options that I was passionate about, and wanted to see what links could be made specifically to genetic counseling.  I met with Robin and Andrea to discuss certificate options and, as always, they were extremely supportive.  We talked through the various options, and although I felt that the Health Equity certificate may have the easiest translation, they could tell I was most interested in LGBT Individuals’ Health and Wellness.  I was passionate about the queer community’s rights to family planning and how they might use genetic counseling services in a unique way.  The final step was to contact the Director of the certificate, Dr. Ron Stall, to see how I might fit into the program. Within one conversation, he had given me no less than three thesis ideas connecting LGBT health and genetic counseling.  His excitement assured me that taking on these extra classes could have an impact on my learning and hopefully the field. 

Each certificate has unique classwork and practicum requirements.  The LGBT certificate involves three required courses, seven elective credits, a thesis project, and a practicum.  I wanted to make sure the schedule would still allow me to finish by the spring semester of my second year.  I work 20 hours a week remotely as a data entry clerk for a cancer genetics company.  Having the flexibility to work from home allowed me to work in a class this semester.  Moving forward I will have to find space for at least two classes and ensure that my thesis is focused on an LGBT health topic.  Dr. Stall worked with my schedule to make sure I could start on the coursework right away and the required classes are helping me to begin work on my thesis in a timely fashion.  As I’ve found with Pitt in general, the faculty is willing to go above and beyond to make sure your educational opportunities align with your future goals.  So as far as time commitment, I have had to add a few classes, but the faculty has been extremely accommodating about what classes qualify and how they would work in my schedule. 

The last consideration was the logistics.  No discussion about higher education is complete without some consideration for expense.  The Pitt program is very aware of the financial burden graduate students take on and is always willing to work with you.  While taking extra classes will inevitably mean more money, they have been very helpful about planning the timing of courses and ensuring the financial aid has been lined up.  Because so many of the human genetics students are genetic counseling students, classes in these programs often don’t conflict, but the same is not true when you step outside of the department.  Andrea and Robin were able to help me look at the schedule and move it around so I could meet all the requirement.  Honestly, I cannot stress how reassuring it’s been to have the faculty rooting for me and removing the road blocks along the way.  For me, the extra money and added hours were well worth the promise of this unique addition to my degree. 

In my case, all roads pointed to the certificate program.  After taking my first class this semester, my choice has been validated.  Advanced Topics in LGBT Research  required us to choose a LGBT health disparity and write a grant proposal for a future research endeavor.  The opportunity to work with students in other departments in an intimate, discussion-based atmosphere is one of the highlights of my week.  I would encourage anyone to just take a quick scroll through the website to see if you can spot a possible creative connection between genetic counseling and one of the other certificate topics.

Just a final note on a certificate versus dual degree:  Pitt also offers a dual MPH option.  As I divulged earlier, I find it nearly impossible to say no to an extra class, and so I also considered this option.  It required a lot of soul searching to decline that opportunity.  Because of my interests in research, my timeline for finishing the course, and outside obligations, the certificate was a better fit for me.  I had completed a Masters in Research last year and knew that the MPH focus was not where I pictured my career going.  Both the dual degree and certificate programs are wonderful options and warrant consideration before making your final decision for genetic counseling training. 

Kelsey Bohnert - Class of 2019