Ashley Jeong (H’26) transferred from the College into the School of Health in her sophomore year to study health care management & policy. In this blog, she shares how she decided on this field of study.
I entered the Georgetown College of Arts & Sciences as an undecided major in my freshman year, unsure of which path to take. Initially, I considered studying government, as I had been interested in politics in high school, and Georgetown would be a great place to pursue this field. As I took classes like US Political Systems, I realized that I wanted to focus on studying one issue that I was most passionate about instead of learning more comprehensively about political science. 
Health care stood out to me for its widespread inefficiencies and inequities which have profound consequences on real lives, especially those in marginalized communities. In my freshman spring semester, I took Healthcare in America, a course in my major health care management & policy, and I became fascinated by the business side of health care. I learned how complex the industry is with many different stakeholders, all balancing business operations with the responsibility of delivering high-quality care. After taking this course, exploring the curriculum, and talking to a School of Health peer advisor, I decided that the major was the perfect interdisciplinary blend of my interests.
Switching schools was not an easy decision, but I knew that transferring is not that difficult and that I would not be locked into my choice for all four years. Most importantly, I was confident that the HCMP major at a different school was a much better fit for my interests. My advice is this: once you recognize that a different path feels right, explore it! Your educational journey is yours to shape, and you have the ability to create an academic environment that aligns with your goals and passions.
As a junior in my spring semester, I have taken many courses in my major, such as the Politics of Healthcare and Healthcare Systems Economics, and I am enjoying Pharmaceutical Management & Policy and Information Systems. Making the decision to transfer into the School of Health felt right from the moment I had the thought, and I am happy I made that decision. I have gained a solid foundation of knowledge about the health care system from my diverse courses, which have enabled me to participate in group presentations, conduct in-depth research for academic papers and explore the questions I have always had. My classes have also allowed me to develop the knowledge I need for pursuing professional opportunities. Most importantly, I am glad to be on a path that aligns both with my lifelong personal goals and career aspirations.
My sophomore year, I was an intern at a nonprofit that works to improve maternal and child health outcomes. Last summer, I was an intern at a pharmaceutical marketing agency, where I learned how health care brands develop strategic campaigns to engage patients and health care providers. This semester, as a health care policy intern, I research and analyze policy issues to write client deliverables, constantly learning about regulatory and legislative developments in this sector.
Through these experiences, I honed my strategic thinking, communication and research skills as I contributed to work that I am passionate about, while expanding my understanding of the complexities and trends of the health care system. My diverse interests in health care have driven me to explore various parts of the industry, yielding invaluable real-world experiences. My academic coursework provided necessary project experiences and a strong foundation of knowledge about health care, which have been crucial for interviews and on the job.
For anyone struggling with choosing a major, my advice would be to stay open-minded and seek experiences outside of coursework that can help you understand what truly excites you. I would suggest taking advantage of the many events here at Georgetown! I have attended various events related to my major and each time, they reinforced my interest in this industry. Attending panels from experts with career paths you are exploring also helps. I also suggest speaking to a peer advisor, as it was useful to learn about an upperclassman’s experiences and how they are applying their learning in their professional endeavors.
Although there can be a pressure to decide a major quickly, know that the timeline of one’s academic career is different for every student. It is ok to take time to explore and find an area of study that will truly be fulfilling and rewarding in college and your future career path.
