Choosing My Majors: A Journey of Academic Discovery

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My senior year of high school had some twists and turns. Though I didn’t expect them (who does?) – the unexpected events during that time led me on the journey to my majors in public health sciences and managerial economics. 

Throughout high school, I tailored my extracurriculars and classes towards healthcare and the sciences. I wanted to pave the way for my envisioned career as a doctor, donning a white coat and providing care to patients, by taking AP science courses, EMT training, and research opportunities. With this goal in mind, I eagerly accepted admission to UMass Amherst as a biochemistry and molecular biology major, prepared to embark on the pre-med track.

Changing Paths

Things took an unexpected turn the summer before my first year at UMass Amherst, when I was in a frightening accident that left me injured and in the hospital. While I was recovering, I found myself questioning the plan I had always envisioned for myself. Being in a hospital myself led me to wonder whether I really wanted to direct care for hospitalized patients, and I entered college unsure about my career plans. 

I thought I might still want to pursue something in science, so I switched my major to chemical engineering — even though I had never had much interest in physics or high-level math. Nearly two semesters into grappling with thermodynamic equations and balancing chemical reactions, I realized I felt no passion for the major. I was going through the motions without a sense of purpose.

It was time for a change. Faced with finding a new major again, I became intimately familiar with the UMass major listings page, endlessly scrolling through the list every day, hoping something would click. But I still was unsure after looking at my options.

So I decided to explore the UMass community: engaging with professors, students, and advisors from diverse academic disciplines. I stepped out of my comfort zone and attended academic events and joined clubs that explored subjects out of my comfort zone. With each new encounter, my world expanded, revealing a myriad of possibilities I had never considered.

Getting out of my comfort zone and meeting people helped me find a network to support my journey, Photo: Rob Skinner

Meanwhile, I made appointments with career counselors to nail my decision down, as my parents were adamant I chart out my career path early on. I researched jobs I might enjoy post-graduation, and looked at sample roles on LinkedIn profiles. I asked myself – what do I want my day-to-day work to consist of? One major began rising to the top of my interests: public health sciences.

Finding My New Major

The interdisciplinary nature of public health immediately resonated with me, offering a holistic understanding of health at both individual and societal levels. It emphasized systemic changes aimed at improving community well-being, which aligned perfectly with my passion for health equity.

I was excited about the diverse career paths available, from epidemiology to health education to healthcare administration. Some students double majored in biology or chemistry and were on the pre-med track. Others pursued paths in social work, public policy, urban planning and more. The flexibility and options intrigued me.

My public health courses began to explore topics like the social determinants of health, healthcare ethics, disease prevention and health promotion. 

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Me, standing outside the Massachusetts State House during an event organized by UMass Women into Leadership

The more I learned, the more my interest developed, as I realized the multitude of avenues through which I could effectuate change — whether through research, policymaking, or designing health interventions. 

I realized my desire to help people did not necessarily require a medical or doctoral degree. Surrounded by like-minded individuals striving to make a positive impact in the world through their chosen fields, I began to see that change could be brought about in any area where my talents and interests intersected.

As I continued to explore the intricacies of the economic, political, legal, and social forces that shape our world, I discovered a newfound fascination with applied economics. Engaging class discussions, tailored content, and captivating topics such as Taylor Swift’s impact on the economy and the economic strategy of Netflix ignited my curiosity — prompting me to delve deeper into the intersection between business operations and social impact.

In a moment of revelation, I made the decision to add a double major in managerial economics, recognizing the synergistic potential of combining my newfound interests with my passion for healthcare advocacy. This combination allowed me to approach healthcare issues from both cultural and operational perspectives, advocating for health equity while strategizing economic solutions. UMass provided me with the flexibility and options to have my two academic pursuits complement each other.

Looking back on my journey, I am grateful for the transformative experiences that have shaped my academic and personal growth. Even though there were challenges along the way, the resources and opportunities available at UMass helped me navigate my evolving career interests.

As I look ahead, I embrace the boundless possibilities that lie before me with an open heart and mind. 

I am fully committed to further exploration and discovery, and eager to immerse myself in new classes and experiences that challenge and expand my worldview. 

I have come to realize that no single major or academic trajectory holds the key to my success. Instead, it is the proactive pursuit of knowledge, coupled with the thoughtful utilization of resources and the cultivation of my innate talents and interests, that will ultimately propel me towards a future that is driven by purpose and fulfillment.

The moral of my story is that passion takes time to develop. It often lays dormant until the right spark ignites it. For me, that spark came from engaging deeply with the UMass community. By branching out beyond my comfort zone, I found not one, but two majors I’m genuinely excited about. If you feel lost choosing a major, take a cue from my journey. Engage, explore, and let your inner flames slowly rise. You’ll find your place before you know it.