Jonathan Perez is set to graduate in December with a degree in biobehavioral health and will continue his professional studies at physician assistant school.
宾州中央谷. — Driven by an innate curiosity and interest in science, Jonathan Perez always knew he would pursue a career in a STEM-related field.
他原本打算主修生物学. When he discovered the various pathways chosen by biobehavioral health (BBH) majors at 十大网赌靠谱网址平台 (PSU-LV), 他重新考虑了自己的策略.
He decided to pursue the program after speaking with Samantha Beebe, program coordinator and lecturer in biobehavioral health, 在一个开放的房子里.
“I spoke to her on the phone during my senior year of high school when I was still considering schools,他说. “This was during COVID, so I couldn’t visit the campus. I was looking at other schools and considering biology but wanted something broader. Dr. Beebe told me about the BBH program and how it combines biology, psychology and other STEM fields. That, and the focus on both private and public health, really drew me in. 这才是真正吸引我的地方.”
一开始，佩雷斯就知道他的选择是正确的. “When I started this major, I knew I’d hit the nail on the head. I chose PSU-LV for the campus and because of the major.”
Now a senior, Perez is planning for his next chapter. He set his sights on physician assistant (PA) school even before he started the BBH program. He’s been accepted into graduate school to continue his studies. He credits PSU-LV and the BBH program for giving him the foundational knowledge he needs to advance in his professional career.
“This program exceeded my expectations,他说. “我不会选择其他任何东西. I’m definitely glad I pursued this major — I received the broad foundation I don’t think I would have gotten otherwise.”
Senior biobehavioral health student Jonathan Perez conducts a fabric-dying lab inside the STEM wing at 十大网赌靠谱网址平台.
Perez advises any student who is undecided on their path, 但对BBH这样的项目很感兴趣, 要“思想开放”.”
“健康领域非常广泛，”他说. “One thing this major has taught me — the classes are all a little similar because they are health-based, 但重点领域却截然不同. I’ve had classes in women’s health and global health, for instance. Even if I wasn’t that interested in the topic at first, by the end, I found it interesting. 只要敞开心扉去学习.”
Perez’s additional words of advice are aimed at potential students looking at a STEM-related major.
“The BBH program is great for anyone interested in the science field at all, but especially if you are looking to pursue a health career,佩雷斯说. “This major provides a real advantage over a ‘typical’ science major.”
Perez had to complete admissions interviews for some of the graduate schools he applied to and said he felt prepared.
“I’ve been able to answer questions really well because the information was covered in my classes,他说. “缺医少药社区, racial disparities — they are big topics in health right now, and my courses in the BBH program address those topics, so it’s been helpful to know and understand that material.”
除了材料本身, Perez has found tremendous value in the small campus and class sizes at PSU-LV. Both have allowed him to work closely with faculty and pursue research interests.
“在这里，你真的可以了解你的教授, 而且有很多可供研究的选择, you can put what you’ve learned into a real-world opportunity,他说. “It’s a very diverse major that can help people choose their career path if they don’t already have one. I have a few friends who chose their career path because of what they liked learning about most in the program.”
Click here for more information about the biobehavioral health major.
