BSPH student Ben Akoa chose public health to be able to help many
Ben Akoa, a fourth-year undergraduate student specializing in public health sociology, is an active member of the student body. Akoa participates in multiple student organizations, including the Public Health Student Advisory Committee and Buckeyes 4 Public Health. After graduating, he hopes to pursue a Master of Health Administration.
Why did you choose public health?
I chose public health because it’s a field in which I can help people of many different backgrounds and areas of life, while actually seeing the results of what I’m doing. Public health is such an evolving and broad field, and there are so many ways that you can use a public health degree to better the lives of others.
How has participating in student organizations enriched your time at Ohio State?
Mostly by allowing me to meet people from different parts of the college. People have discovered public health in so many different ways — whether on purpose or by accident. I think what these organizations have done the best is allow me to make friends that I know I’ll have for a long time, while also allowing me to expand my public health knowledge.
What has your undergraduate research experience been like?
My sophomore year I became a research assistant at the Tzagournis Medical Research Facility. While I was there, I learned how to apply a lot of the skills I had gained in chemistry and biology classes. The most important lesson that I learned from my research experience is that in the lab even the smallest job or task is vital for everyone to succeed, even if what you’re doing seems pointless at times.
What advice would you give incoming students?
My advice would be to get involved with activities and organizations on campus. You can learn so much from people and make so many friends while also doing something that you enjoy. Going to office hours with professors is also something I would recommend. It may seem scary to go to by yourself but at the end of the day, your professors always want to help you in any way that they can.
How do you see your education shaping your future?
I plan on hopefully going to graduate school to pursue my MHA. I think what makes public health so great is that I feel ready to go down many different career paths. I feel very comfortable with the knowledge I have and will have from the program to tackle a career in public health and be successful. I also know that after I graduate, I can still email and talk to the many professors and advisors in the college for career advice.
