Public health serves as a foundation for a career in law

‘Public health’ and corresponding buzzwords such as epidemiology, infectious diseases, and vaccines, became household terms during the COVID-19 pandemic – and it ended there for most laypeople. Experts and professionals know that there is much more depth to the field. As one of the most versatile STEM degrees one can receive, public health acts as a foundation for a myriad of professions. At its core, public health is meant to protect and improve the health of all people. 

One such field that public health bachelor’s degree holders can explore is law, and one such practicum site that UC Irvine Public Health undergraduate students can work at is Veterans Legal Institute (VLI), which provides pro bono legal assistance to homeless, at risk, disabled and low income current and former service members in the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Orange County areas.  

VLI offers our students – mostly those who major in public health policy – experience working with attorneys that use legal methods to tackle the social determinants that negatively impact the health and well-being of service members and their families. At its core, VLI strives to restore dignity among service members and eradicate barriers to housing, healthcare, education, and employment and fosters self-sufficiency.

Mentoring the next workforce generation  

Upon graduation in 2015, Nicole Balucanag, UCI Public Health alumna, spent six years as a senior specialist for a team of attorneys practicing American with Disabilities Act legal compliance, but eventually she found her way to VLI to begin a new career in the legal field. It was through this time in her career that she found her true calling between the intersection of public health and law. As a legal assistant, Nicole dedicates her time and energy supporting VLI’s attorneys to make certain that veterans have access to justice. 

Another key role that Nicole plays is acting as the site coordinator or preceptor for interns from UCI Public Health who are interested in gaining experience and knowledge about law. At one point, she was overseeing more than 20 interns from UCI and other local Orange County colleges who were all interested in VLI’s mission.

A piece of advice I always share is from personal experience that it is never too late to find your calling especially if you are equipped with a public health degree.” 

– Nicole Balucanag ’15

“It is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my job to mentor and support our interns because not long ago I was in their shoes,” Nicole said. “A piece of advice I always share is from personal experience that it is never too late to find your calling especially if you are equipped with a public health degree.” 

Nicole has expanded her role and has quickly risen in the ranks. She now supports three teams of attorneys specializing in veterans’ disability benefits, discharge upgrades, and bankruptcy. She is currently pursuing a paralegal certificate at UCI’s continuing education paralegal program and has her eyes set on law school. She hopes her journey serves as a reminder to her current mentees that you should never stop learning and exploring new opportunities wherever they unconventionally may lead you.  

One such current UCI practicum student Raya Khan said, “I quickly realized that the required hours to complete my practicum were not enough to satisfy my passion for serving the community. I have grown an interest in the legal field, and I plan to continue working for VLI beyond my practicum to sharpen my skills and knowledge for any potential career in law after I graduate.” 

Veterans Legal Institute has been partnering with the UCI since 2018 to host more than 50 students as interns to help fulfill their practicum requirement. Approximately 60% of the UCI students who intern at VLI are through the Field Study program, and their majors are primarily Criminology, Law, and Society. The remaining 40% come through the Public Health Practicum. Many students, as exemplified by Nicole and Raya, have found their calling through these experiences and how multifaceted a public health degree can be. UCI Public Health even has a dual degree program where individuals can earn a Master of Public Health degree as well as a Juris doctor degree under the auspices of the UC Irvine School of Law.