Name: Sarah Diamalou
Major: Human Health Sciences
What made you choose UNCG/HHS?
Before becoming a Human Health Sciences (HHSci) major, I was a Public Health major. My advisor at the time introduced me to a new major called Human Health Sciences. After learning more about it, I realized it aligned more closely with what I want to do career-wise.
What do you love most about your major?
I love that it’s a new major and that it offers the flexibility to explore various paths within the realm of health. You’re not tied to just one type of career. Lastly, I enjoy the diversity among the professors in terms of their backgrounds and the roles they have held or currently hold in the healthcare field.
Are you involved in undergrad research (if so, how has that impacted you)?
During my time in the Introduction to Human Health Sciences class, I was assigned a volunteer project that involved working with a health professional. I served as a research assistant to Dr. Ericka Zimmerman from Western Carolina University, working under the ASAHP Subcommittee on JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) alongside two classmates. This experience has been invaluable, both academically and personally. It has pushed me beyond my comfort zone, encouraging me to embrace new challenges and opportunities for growth. Through this research, I had the privilege of meeting directors and professors who are leaders in their respective fields, further inspiring my academic and professional pursuits.
Is there a particular faculty/staff member or class that has made a real impact on your time here? If so, please elaborate.
A class that has made an impact on me is HHS Careers: Intro to Observation. I learned a lot from that class, including information about various health careers, both on the administrative and clinical sides of healthcare. I also had the opportunity to hear from professionals currently working in different aspects of the field. Overall, the class was insightful and helped me decide which area of healthcare I want to pursue.
What is your proudest moment in college so far?
One of my proudest moments in college so far was the opportunity to shadow a registered nurse. In our HHS Careers: Intro to Observation class, we all shadow a healthcare worker for 10 hours during the semester. My time with the nurse gave me a glimpse of what my future could look like. I learned a great deal from that experience and truly appreciated the opportunity. I don’t think it’s something I could have accomplished on my own.