Testimonial

"During my 7 semesters at UConn, I was undeclared for at least 2 years, and floundered through 4-5 different major and minor combinations to find the ones that fit. As a student who excelled in the sciences and writing, constant noise from peers, mentors, and family about choosing a STEM major vs a social science major felt divisive and counterproductive. In the midst of this pressure to choose the ‘right’ major and career path, the WGSS program helped foster my appreciation for a multidisciplinary degree, subsequently wedding my humanities skills with my fascination with data and addressing social justice issues. WGSS prepared me for a more advanced degree in public health, and helped qualify & prepare me for unique and exciting jobs. Many of these roles showed me to bridge science & public health with lived experiences to improve people's lives—among them: serving as an enumerator for the US Census Bureau, a Public Health Investigator for one of the largest public health departments in the nation, and a Project Coordinator for a UCLA-affiliated worker health and safety program designed alongside community worker organizations. My WGSS major laid the foundation for my career by shaping me into both a thinker and a problem-solver, one who asks questions beyond "why" and considers the perspectives of each person's world view. My advice to WGSS grads is to know your worth, and to remember Ralph Waldo Emerson's words: "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." Go forth and be brilliant!"