How do you choose a major at UNH? Our new How I Chose My Major blog series highlights students from different colleges across UNH and explores how they chose their majors and minors. Today, learn more about how Emma ’24 changed majors from genetics to health management and policy. As a health management and policy major, Emma has been able to participate in five conferences and join professional organizations as a student.
"I was very worried that changing my major would set me back progress-wise and even socially, but that was not the case at all. Changing my major did not set me back and truly was the right move for me to make. I’m forever grateful that I chose to take Intro to Public Health!"
-Emma ’24
Emma speaking at commencement
What is your major?
An HMP classmate and I helping out with check-ins at the 2023 Northern New England Healthcare Financial Management Association (NNE HFMA) Annual Meeting. HFMA is one of the organizations that offers student membership to HMP students.
Why did you choose your major?
My major is health management and policy (HMP), though originally, I came to UNH as a genetics major. I changed my major to HMP at the end of my freshman year. Why? Spring semester of my freshman year, I took Intro to Public Health as an elective course. The advisor for HMP—Pam Thomas—came to our class one day and told us about the major, noting that there were weekly information sessions that students could attend. I had already planned to switch my major, as I wasn’t interested in genetics any longer, so the timing felt perfect. I attended one of the information sessions and Dr. Thomas was so helpful in determining which classes I needed to take in order to switch over.
Emma receiving her degree at commencement
What are some of the top places on campus you frequent for your major?
When on campus, I’m always at Hewitt Hall, where the HMP major is “headquartered.” I visit with various professors often, as they are both helpful when questions arise, as well as just when I want to chat! Most of my HMP classes have taken place in Pettee Hall, which is just across the road from Hewitt, so I’ve found myself there constantly over the past two years as well.
An HMP classmate and I at the Student Organization for Health Leadership's Boston Day last spring. Boston Day is a student-organized and student-led conference to connect HMP students and alumni who work in the Boston area.
What’s the coolest part about your major?
The coolest part of the HMP major is the opportunity to take what we’ve learned in class outside of the classroom. Professor Mark Bonica, who teaches Healthcare Economics and Finance as well as our seminar classes, is involved in various healthcare professional associations and makes them accessible for students as well. I’ve attended over five conferences as an HMP student. These conferences have enabled me to meet countless healthcare professionals (and test the networking muscles I’ve built throughout my classes) as well as experience learning opportunities through my student memberships in said professional organizations.
Me with Michael Peterson, President of the Northern New England Branch of the American College of Healthcare Executives, at the ACHENNE annual meeting where I received the 2023 Outstanding Student Leadership Award.
What advice do you have for prospective students about choosing a major?
When it comes to choosing a major, I would advise prospective students not to feel as though they have to cement their decision forever. Of course, it’s A-Okay to know what you want to major in and stick with it throughout your college stay, but feeling unsure also is not the end of the world. I was very worried that changing my major would set me back progress-wise and even socially, but that was not the case at all. Changing my major did not set me back and truly was the right move for me to make. I’m forever grateful that I chose to take Intro to Public Health!
read more "how I chose my major" stories
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