An Interview with a BSPH Underclassman
By Taylor Nielson, Baylor University BSPH Student
As the semester comes to an end, students are working hard to finish their final exams, projects, and assignments. One student in particular, Dayne, is wrapping up her final weeks of sophomore year. I had the opportunity to interview Dayne and hear all about her college experience, highlighting her time as an underclassman majoring in public health. Let’s dive into her responses!
Why did you choose Public Health as your major?
“I chose public health as my major because I want to pursue a career in healthcare as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. I am super close to the pediatrician in my hometown, and he told me this was a great path to take.”
What is the community like in this major?
“Since we typically take the same classes, we’ve had the opportunity to grow together while facing challenges or working on tough projects. We also get to connect and build relationships inside and out of the classroom. My freshmen year I took Intro to Public Health and that is where I met two of my friends, Jordan and Taylor.”
How have upperclassmen helped you?
“They have helped me understand the importance of developing skills necessary for specific classes. Since some of them are a few semesters ahead of me, they have given me great advice. For example, two of my friends offer guidance on professor recommendation, class registration, and class do’s and don’ts.”
As you are finishing up your sophomore year, what advice do you have for incoming freshmen?
“Come in with a very open mind. Don’t come in thinking it is just a pre-med track. This major offers a holistic perspective on health, and we get to take classes that not all pre-med students take. While public health is a great major to choose as a pre-med track, there are so many careers specific to public health you can go into. This major really allows you to make a difference in the world.”
During your freshman year, you did a project for Church Under the Bridge. Tell me about your project.
“For my project, I focused on the effects birth control can have on a woman’s reproductive system and how it negatively impacts them. I was able to share my research on safer ways to prevent pregnancy without using birth control.”
This semester, you are working on a grant proposal. Tell me about the proposal you are writing.
“My grant is for a family farm in Valley Mills that helps promote good mental health for foster children who’ve experienced trauma. My passion for this project came from my memories on a farm. I grew up showing cattle, so I know the positive impact animals can have on mental health. Plus, spending time with animals offers a break from the world.”
What do you like to do outside of school?
“In my free time, I like to play golf, hang out with my family, and lead my sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, where I am on the University Events team.”
As students begin taking public health classes they are quickly immersed in the Waco community. Whether they are educating individuals at Church Under the Bridge or writing grant proposals for organizations, students are learning how to research, educate, and advocate in real-world settings.
As classes progress, students gain skills in writing literature reviews, conducting program reviews, and evaluating community programs. Through internships, students get hands-on experience in public health jobs that prepare them for future careers. In addition, Baylor offers a Master of Public Health (MPH) program. Here, students can deepen their education and expand their opportunities in the field.
