The Voice of Emerging Women Leaders at BU School of Public Health
"When you grow up you will be a conservative.". My father often says this to me, an almost 30-year-old liberal, academic researcher, living in a blue state on the East Coast. This statement has always confused me, especially as my father has always encouraged me to be a strong, independent thinker who challenges the status […]
Speaking in a second language often brings unexpected challenges, especially when confidence in one’s linguistic abilities feels fragile. This anxiety, known as linguistic insecurity, arises from the fear of being misunderstood, judged, or seen as inadequate when communicating in a language that isn’t your first. “Could you speak louder?” The professor’s voice sliced through the […]
When I was applying to PhD programs, I felt like I knew little about the process or what to look for in a program. I’ve loved my PhD experience, but there are many elements that shape a PhD program that I am only now aware of after being in one. occasionally get messages from prospective […]
Mirroring the ethos of the Boston University School of Public Health itself, the Emerging Women Leaders (EWL) program is rooted in evidence. Research consistently shows that mentorship plays a transformative role in advancing women’s success across academia and industry. A quick Google search turns up a multitude of studies linking mentorship to faster promotions, higher […]
What kind of public health leader do I want to be? And, how can I think about leadership as U.S. public health institutions, that until recently seemed unshakable, are gutted by our elected and appointed government leaders? As a DrPH student, I have had exceptional opportunities to think about public health leadership: I am a […]
Starting a PhD is often portrayed as a journey filled with curiosity, discovery, and academic growth. But for some, it can also be an isolating experience, especially when the path you’re on doesn’t align perfectly with those around you. My work in migrant health, a field that straddles Health Services and Policy Research and Global […]
At the end of a long, grueling year in my life, I failed the qualifying examination for my doctorate. Twice. In many PhD programs, there is a qualifying exam—often referred to as the "comprehensive exam" or "Advancement to Candidacy Exam"—and it is a pivotal milestone. It is designed to assess whether a student has mastered […]
It’s the best advice I’ve ever received—and it came from my mother when I was a child. Back then, the risks were small: trying out for the volleyball team, asking a teacher for feedback. But those moments were practice. They taught me how to sit with discomfort, take initiative, and trust my instincts. That same […]