“Don’t be intimidated by the small size of the public policy major. There are a lot of opportunities at Rutgers that policy students would be interested in. Use the resources available and don’t limit yourself. I started my college career thinking I would only be willing to work in LGBTQ+ policy, but through the work I’ve done and the classes I’ve taken at Rutgers, I realized I want to focus on the broader topics of social justice and community action.”
Topic
Spotlights
From Transit Curiosity to Urban Impact
“My experiences using public transit in NJ and NY made me curious about how towns and cities were designed and why certain places are more car-dependent than others. After taking Methods of Planning and Analysis, I began discussing ideas and existing research on basic needs insecurity with Professor Bernadette Baird-Zars. Joining her research team and studying integration and affordable housing helped shape my interest in pursuing a career that works with underserved communities to create change at the local scale.”
Real Problems Inspire Real Solutions: Transforming Healthcare
“I really like when professors make you think critically and apply real-world situations to the lectures. Healthcare is complicated, and making things easy isn’t doing anyone any favors. Thinking critically is important in this field. Independent doctor offices are being swallowed up by corporate medical chains, and running a medical practice has become so convoluted and confusing that it’s almost impossible to be independent. I want to make things better and make healthcare more accessible, affordable, and fair—for doctors and patients alike.”
Bridging Technology and Policy Through Public Service
If you’re interested in public service in any form, give the public policy major—or at least the intro classes—a try. It’s a comprehensive major with a variety of courses that target different policy areas, such as healthcare, disability, education, and more. Students can discover new pathways that may be intriguing to them. I also learned how to adapt my writing and communication skills more efficiently for a policy or public service-oriented space, which is invaluable no matter your career.”
From Simulations to Cityscapes: Designing Smarter Cities
“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.”
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.”