“As I got older, I became increasingly aware of the social and environmental challenges tied to urban design. All of my experiences led me to a major where I could combine creativity, problem-solving, and a vision for better cities into something tangible. Rutgers has given me the chance to blend the technical side of planning with creative design. Urban planning is a multidisciplinary field, and the ability to collaborate with people from different backgrounds, such as engineers, architects, environmental scientists, and policy experts, will enrich your learning and the solutions you develop.”
Topic
Spotlights
Exploring the World, Improving Healthcare Systems
“Growing up in a business-focused household, I developed a strong foundation in business. Health administration is the perfect blend of that background in business and my passion for healthcare. In my internship, I had the opportunity to utilize Lean and Six Sigma tools and methodologies to assess and improve current state processes. It solidified my interest in healthcare consulting and performance improvement.”
Weaving Policy, Purpose, and Possibility
“I can’t remember exactly what caused it, but I can remember feeling incredibly connected to defending my environment. The stubborn nihilism and anger I had when I was young became critical and curious about the practicality of a clean energy transition or protecting forests. I fell in love with navigating stakeholders and impacts—and the art of compelling someone to choose the right decision. Public Policy is the most practical major for those considering work in a state/federal agency or legislative body. The professors are incredibly passionate about making policy changes and are filled with expertise—go to their office hours!”
Meshing Creativity and Community with Placemaking and Equity
“My strong foundation in writing and critical thinking, paired with my interest in community engagement and social justice, launched my Planning and Public Policy career at Rutgers. As much as I love picnicking in the green space of Hoboken’s waterfront Pier A Park or strolling along the walkway of the Brooklyn Bridge, I am most passionate about ensuring that all communities have access to vibrant, sustainable, and equitable cities. So be open to trying everything—even if you may not initially be interested in a specific class or internship, give it a chance.”
Public Health with Purpose: An Athlete-to-Advocate Journey
“I always wanted to be in a career where I felt like I was genuinely helping others. After my sophomore year, I realized that I wanted to be involved in the healthcare sphere but I didn’t necessarily want to practice medicine. I switched my major to public health, picked up a minor in business administration, and learned about the seemingly hundreds of career paths outside of medicine that I had never considered before. Eventually I hope to combine my background in public health with a law degree and work in healthcare administration.”
Rooted in Resilience, Building a Path to Health Equity
“I want to use my education to help humanize healthcare and advocate for communities that are often overlooked or underserved. As a first-generation Latino student, my journey has been guided by my family’s strength, my community’s resilience, and a deep desire to create change. I realized that Bloustein wasn’t just a school—it was a community full of students and faculty who cared deeply about making real, lasting change. My goal is to become a healthcare consultant, working with hospitals and health systems to improve operations, increase access, and ensure quality care for all—especially for underrepresented communities.”
Advocacy and Action Through Public Health
“There is so much you can do with Public Health. The major opens so many doors to different opportunities to find out what you are passionate about. I realized how overall health and wellbeing connects so many aspects of the world around us that we often overlook. I wanted to understand the environment through a health lens, and how its effects differ across communities. Learning how global and local access to healthcare is inconsistent across certain communities showed me the importance of advocacy and action through a public health lens.”
Hispanic Heritage Month: Maria Del Cid-Kosso, MPAP ’20
Bloustein School alumnus Maria Del Cid, MPAP ’20 is passionate about expanding the educational opportunities available to undocumented youth and amplifying marginalized voices in politics. In 2021 Maria was appointed by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy as a Commissioner on the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
A Journey from Finance to Data-Driven Policymaking
Nurul Hoque hopes to leverage his combined expertise in finance, data analytics, and policy analysis to spearhead the development of data-driven policies and programs that promote social justice, equity, and sustainability.
Transforming Healthcare: From Caregiver to Leader
Emily Muha began her career in healthcare as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). She became interested in the administrative side of healthcare after her family’s experience watching her grandfather struggle with Alzheimer’s.