Fatma Beye

Public Health / Certificate in Global Health and Health Policy, Class of 2023

Teaneck, NJ
Activities/Organizations: Eta Sigma Gamma, the national Health Science/Health Education honorary; Tau Sigma- National Honor Society for transfer students
Interests/hobbies: reading, experimenting with new coffee/tea drinks

Fatma was 13 and visiting her home country of Senegal when she fell ill. While waiting at a local clinic, she saw many women and young children who had been waiting for hours to see a doctor. She knew at that moment that she wanted to impact people’s lives. Her first thought was to become a doctor and began her studies with that goal in mind.

After realizing the school and major she had chosen were not for her, Fatma began researching different careers and schools and discovered the public health major. Finding what she wanted at Rutgers, she transferred….in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. While this was not how she had hoped to begin her time at Rutgers, she has found the Bloustein School and School of Arts and Sciences faculty and staff to be extremely supportive and helpful throughout the transition.

Fatma has found both the major, and her time at Rutgers, to be fulfilling. Her advisors and professors have helped her career plan and also introduced her to many new programs and opportunities. “Public health,” she said, “is one of those majors where you learn something new every day.” She has also opted to earn a Certificate in Global Health and Health Policy, as one of her career goals is to work for an international institution and help expand health services. Another – also directly related to her childhood experience – is to be able to go back to Senegal and work with the government to implement better healthcare coverage throughout the country.

Advice to prospective students: Go for it! Bloustein is filled with people who are willing to help their students. Whether it is research opportunities, internships, application questions, or taking classes to help you with your career.