Public Health Students Chart Distinct Paths Toward Community Impact
The Public Health major housed in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences prepares students for more than one career path. For recent graduates Hannah Forbes and Lindsay Reichley, the program provided a broad foundation that helped them clarify their professional goals while remaining focused on improving health and wellbeing across diverse populations. Forbes was a pre-clinical concentration and Reichley a community health education concentration with a minor in clinical research.
Despite pursuing different interests, both students say coursework and hands-on experiences in public health shaped how they understand health as a people-centered field.
Forbes chose to major in public health because of its holistic approach to health, combining individual-level care with population-based perspectives. As a preclinical student, she paired her public health training with advanced coursework in biology, anatomy, and physiology.
“I liked that public health still focuses on individual health but also looks at the bigger picture,” Forbes said. “Learning about health equity and social factors gave me a much deeper understanding of health overall.”
Forbes initially planned to pursue physician assistant school and structured her undergraduate studies accordingly. However, clinical experience, including an internship at a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation center and volunteer work with oncology patients, led her to reassess that path.
“I realized I was more interested in the psychological side of health,” Forbes said. That realization ultimately led her to pursue mental health counseling, a field she says aligns closely with her public health training. Forbes is currently enrolled in UNCW’s clinical research graduate program and plans to pursue another graduate degree in the future.
Reichley entered UNCW undecided and initially unfamiliar with public health. As a type 1 diabetic, she knew she wanted to work in a health-related field but was not interested in direct clinical practice. After enrolling in an introductory public health course, she found a discipline that aligned with her interests in education, prevention, and communication.
“A lot of people don’t understand the health information they’re given,” Reichley said. “Public health helped me see how important health literacy really is.”
Reichley’s experiences similarly reinforced her commitment to public health practice. In addition to working as a Peer Health Educator with the Office of Student Wellbeing, she completed internships in clinical research and with the Brunswick County Health Department, where she focused on health education and outreach.
Both students credited UNCW faculty with helping shape their academic confidence and clarify their career goals. As they look ahead to graduate school and professional opportunities, Forbes and Reichley reflect the flexibility of a public health education and its role in preparing students for impact-driven careers.
Despite pursuing different interests, both students say coursework and hands-on experiences in public health shaped how they understand health as a people-centered field.
Forbes chose to major in public health because of its holistic approach to health, combining individual-level care with population-based perspectives. As a preclinical student, she paired her public health training with advanced coursework in biology, anatomy, and physiology.
“I liked that public health still focuses on individual health but also looks at the bigger picture,” Forbes said. “Learning about health equity and social factors gave me a much deeper understanding of health overall.”
Forbes initially planned to pursue physician assistant school and structured her undergraduate studies accordingly. However, clinical experience, including an internship at a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation center and volunteer work with oncology patients, led her to reassess that path.
“I realized I was more interested in the psychological side of health,” Forbes said. That realization ultimately led her to pursue mental health counseling, a field she says aligns closely with her public health training. Forbes is currently enrolled in UNCW’s clinical research graduate program and plans to pursue another graduate degree in the future.
Reichley entered UNCW undecided and initially unfamiliar with public health. As a type 1 diabetic, she knew she wanted to work in a health-related field but was not interested in direct clinical practice. After enrolling in an introductory public health course, she found a discipline that aligned with her interests in education, prevention, and communication.
“A lot of people don’t understand the health information they’re given,” Reichley said. “Public health helped me see how important health literacy really is.”
Reichley’s experiences similarly reinforced her commitment to public health practice. In addition to working as a Peer Health Educator with the Office of Student Wellbeing, she completed internships in clinical research and with the Brunswick County Health Department, where she focused on health education and outreach.
Both students credited UNCW faculty with helping shape their academic confidence and clarify their career goals. As they look ahead to graduate school and professional opportunities, Forbes and Reichley reflect the flexibility of a public health education and its role in preparing students for impact-driven careers.
This article has the following tags: School of Health & Applied Human Sciences College of Health & Human Services Students & Alumni