William Tang

Public Health Journey

I attended high school in Ontario, where students are required to complete 40 hours of community service to graduate. I chose to volunteer at a hospital because it was nearby. But over time, my perspective shifted. I began to see that healthcare is a team effort involving doctors, nurses, pharmacists, project managers, and researchers all working together to improve patient outcomes. I was drawn to being part of such a dynamic environment. By Grade 12, I had logged hundreds of volunteer hours. Looking back, this is how my public health journey started.

Like many students in Grade 12, I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do. But I knew I wanted to continue learning about healthcare, so I enrolled in the Health Science program at the University of Waterloo. What stood out to me was the program’s co-op structure — students graduate with five four-month work terms. I figured that gaining real-world experience might help me find clarity in my career direction.

During the third year of my degree, I took an introductory epidemiology course. It was my first exposure to studying disease patterns and their causes at the population level — and I was hooked. Not long after I took the course, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. During this time, I conducted research under the supervision of an epidemiologist, applying classroom concepts to real-world questions. That experience deepened my understanding of public health and confirmed that this was the field I wanted to pursue.

Motivated by that experience, I pursued a master’s degree in Epidemiology at McGill University. There, I received rigorous training in research methods, data analysis, and study design. For my thesis, I led two studies evaluating the post-market cardiovascular safety of a diabetes medication. Beyond research, I also gained experience in project management, interdisciplinary collaboration, and translating scientific findings into meaningful insights.

Now, as a recent graduate, I’m eager to apply my training to make a meaningful impact in public health. Through my master’s experience, I’ve discovered that my strengths lie in both research and project management. I’m looking for opportunities where I can contribute to healthcare — whether through research, project management, or a combination of both. I’m open to roles across research, government, and industry, and I’m flexible with location and ready to relocate anywhere in Canada.