William Tang

Public Health Journey

Growing up, I was always curious about science and healthcare. I attended high school in Ontario, and one of the graduation requirements was to complete 40 hours of community service. I decided to volunteer at a hospital because it was near my house. Initially, I just wanted to get the hours done, but as I spent more time there, I began to see the profound impact healthcare professionals had on their patients' lives. By the time I reached Grade 12, I had volunteered hundreds of hours. Looking back now, I think that is where my public health journey began.

When I reached Grade 12, I did not know what I wanted to do after graduation. I decided to enrol in the five-year Health Science program at the University of Waterloo because it offered students five four-month co-op placements. At the time, it was the best option because I had always been interested in science and healthcare, and gaining real-world experience would help me gain clarity of my career path.

I started to gain clarity into my career in the third year of my undergraduate degree when I took an introductory epidemiology course. This course taught me how diseases spread and how they can be prevented. Shortly after I took this course, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. During the pandemic, I conducted research for an epidemiologist, applying epidemiological principles to real-world scenarios. This experience not only deepened my understanding of public health but also solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in this field.

Inspired by these experiences, I decided to continue learning more about epidemiology by pursuing a thesis-based masters at McGill University. The coursework offered rigorous training in quantitative methods, research design, and data analysis. I applied these skills in my thesis, where I synthesized existing evidence and evaluated the impact of a type 2 diabetes medication on cardiovascular health using an administrative dataset. Throughout the program, I not only developed technical expertise but also honed my ability to manage multiple research projects, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and communicate scientific findings to diverse audiences.

As a fresh graduate, I am eager to apply my education and experiences to make an impact in public health. I am open to opportunities across various sectors, including government, industry, and research, and I am flexible on location, as long as the work is meaningful and contributes to positive change.