I am from Cranston, RI. I began and ended my academic career at URI as a Public Health major with a specialization in health promotion. Being born and raised in Rhode Island, I was hesitant to attend URI as I expected I would know everyone and all of the possible opportunities. I was surprised, however, to learn that there were so many great opportunities to connect with students from Rhode Island and outside of Rhode Island. With the help of amazing professors and the URI Career Center, I was able to find several opportunities to gain real-world experience.
The best part of my URI experience was the internship experiences I had throughout my four years. The time I spent as an intern for the Rhode Island Department of Health, Brown University Health’s Center for Weight Control and Diabetes, and AARP Rhode Island is invaluable. I applied classroom knowledge, honed in on my passions, and became prepared to take on the professional world.
My advice for Public Health majors is to take advantage of the available opportunities! Ask your professors questions about their careers and how they can help you. Try a new class – it may help you find your passion! Attend networking events and put yourself out there – you never never know who you may run into again. Find an internship that may put you out of your comfort zone to help with personal and professional development. URI and the Department of Public Health offer so many great opportunities, so take advantage and have fun!
Besides my academic career as a student with a triple major, I wanted to be involved in URI’s community. I had three internship positions throughout Rhode Island. I was a peer mentor for the College of Arts and Sciences and a Project Connect Facilitator for URI’s Health Promotion Program. I served two terms as the Vice President of Alumnae Relations for my sorority and was a member of a fraternity and sorority honors society.
The biggest strength of the Public Health major is the connections it facilitates inside and outside of the classroom. I utilized the wisdom and connections of my professors when applying for internships and researching graduate schools. They have years of experience in academia and in the world of Public Health which is an amazing tool to utilize! Besides learning from professors, I learned a great deal from my peers whether it was in a class discussion or a collaborative project. The Public Health major ensures learning is not specific to a textbook but through dialogue and teamwork!
Beginning in the Fall of 2026, I will be attending Brown University’s masters of Public Health program! I am hoping to gain valuable classroom knowledge and experience in the field of public health in all areas, specifically on the reduction of health inequities. While attending school, I will be continuing my work at AARP Rhode Island, where I am a Community Outreach Intern.