Sai Igiede, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences Well-being Leader
It’s Sai, your local well-being leader, and today is different than normal, as this is my last blog post! I know I’m just as sad as you all are!
As an almost graduating senior, I have served as a well-being leader for nearly three years, writing over 20 blog posts that span all eight dimensions of wellness. I wanted to not only recap my semester but also look at what’s in store for me!
First, what have I been doing this whole time?
Here’s a quick rundown of the past 6+ months for me, rapid fire! (Not really rapid-fire, but rapid-fire to me!
1. GRADUATION
WE ARE GRADUATING; LET’S GO! So I will be getting my B.S. in public health with a health science concentration and a minor in pharmaceutical science. This has been a very long time coming. I will also be graduating with honors (fingers crossed—I will get into more detail later). I am also pleased to say that I was chosen to receive the Chancellor’s Medal in Student Service, which I don’t take lightly! It was low-key a shock to me that I even got it, but I’m nonetheless happy! As for my future plans, I will be a graduate student here at UMass Lowell getting my master’s in public health, which I am very excited for, and then I will plan on pursuing more schooling after!
2. INTERNSHIPS/JOBS
When it came to working jobs on campus, let’s just say I was booked! I worked two internships during my spring semester. My second one was at the International Institute of New England as a shelter service legal intern in downtown Lowell. At this internship, I was working with attorneys, case managers, and employment officers to help asylum seekers and refugees with housing and employment throughout the New England area! This internship was extremely rewarding and beneficial as I was able to use my public health knowledge outside the classroom. My second internship is currently with both the Student Life and Well-Being office and also a company called Release Recovery. With this internship, I was able to sharpen both my hard and soft skills through tabling, data collection, and policy creation and recommendations. Both these internships made me not only a better student but a better worker as well. Lastly, I was able to continue my work as a wellbeing leader as well as being a residential advisor in Fox Hall.
3. WRAPPING UP SCHOOL
Lastly, looking back at school, I still have a few things pending, like my honors project presentation, which is on Wednesday, and some applications for external stuff. Looking back at my 4 years here, I am so happy that I chose UMass Lowell. I would’ve never met my best friend Nokomis, fallen in love with my major, met my boyfriend, and so much more!
As I wrap up both my semester and my undergraduate year at UMass, I wanted to thank everyone I’ve met and who has supported me throughout this crazy and fun journey here!
Until next time,
Sai