Adaptability, at its core, is to adapt, to change, or change something, to suit different conditions or uses (Cambridge Dictionary). It’s about being flexible, resourceful, and open to change in the light of new situations. It involves adjusting to new environments and encompasses using other skills, such as cultural humility to embrace differing perspectives. My life experiences have taught me to be adaptable, prepare for and anticipate change, and use those skills to create positive change. Adaptability has helped me succeed not only in my academic career and in my work, but supports me when going outside of my comfort zone, helping me grow as a person.
Adaptability is not just an asset, it’s a necessary skill. Public health is constantly changing, with shifts in governments affecting where resources are focused. The rise of new infectious diseases, worrying effects of climate change, technological advancements, and socioeconomic disparities are just some of the factors that influence the changes within the world of Global and Community Health. A rising health crisis, such as the rising H5 Bird Flu, requires adaptability, as the virus has started to infect not only birds, but dairy cows, spreading to dozens of humans within the United States. This translates to my current work as a peer educator with SHOP, where unease surrounding bodily autonomy have resulted in students hesitating to access our services due to fear, or not knowing if our “free and confidential” resource has been defunded. We have had to adapt our outreach efforts to ensure students are aware that peer support and education will continue to be provided. This has included SHOP giving presentations to courses of all subjects, walking through campus with our resources, and providing resources around campus where there is decent foot traffic.
As a student majoring in Global and Community Health, adaptability has been a stepping stone to getting me where I am. GCH is inherently interdisciplinary, which has required me to take classes from various disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, biology, and Latin American and Latino Studies. This has allowed me to be adaptable in my thinking, using critical thinking skills to connect various concepts and apply them to complex health issues around the globe. Global and Community Health involves working with many diverse populations, as stated through the global aspect. As someone who aims to go into public health, with a focus on working with marginalized queer communities, I have had to open my perspectives, be willing to listen and learn, and adjust my strategies based on feedback gathered from peers, or the community I’m working with to ensure that resources are sustainable.
To be a good educator or public health official, requires openness and the ability to accept feedback, whether constructive or not. Being adaptable has allowed me to expand my creativity when thinking about how to best engage with different communities on campus, allowing me to connect and feel a sense of community when invited into spaces to provide outreach. Adaptability is a critical competency and encompasses a wide range of skills that are needed for anyone in Global and Community Health. It is essential in research, responding to health crises, and addressing challenges that arise in the complexity that is global health. Throughout my journey as a student, I have recognized the importance adaptability has played in my academic career, and it will continue to aid me as I navigate my future in public health.
References
adaptability. Cambridge Dictionary.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/adaptability
Avian Influenza A(h5) Outbreak | Center for Outbreak Response Innovation. Johns Hopkins Center for Health
Security. https://cori.centerforhealthsecurity.org/resources/avian-influenza-ah5-outbreak