Catie Cahill has been interested in the healthcare field since high school. As a senior, she participated in New Visions, a career exploration program that allows students to learn about the allied health careers. Through the program, she “shadowed” healthcare professionals from different disciplines at a number of different hospitals. She knew the field was right for her. “I love working with people,” she says.

Still, when she came to Syracuse University as a first-year student, she wasn’t sure which path to take. She began studying pre-med, but soon decided the major wasn’t right for her. That’s when she became interested in health and wellness. The program provides a versatile preparation for careers in health education, health promotion, and other health-related fields. “I know I’d like to work in a hospital setting,” Catie says. “I have been able to explore all the options at Syracuse. It’s been challenging but also really rewarding.”

Catie also finds fulfillment in her extracurricular activities, which contribute to her readiness for a health career. She volunteers for the SU R.A.P.E. Center, which provides personalized intervention and support for victims of sexual assault. She is part of “Every Five Minutes,” also known as E5M, an interactive theatre group that informs students about rape and sexual assault through educational theater featuring interactive dialogue between the actors and audience. And she is on the staff of Healthy You, a student-run health newsmagazine that is distributed on college campuses across New York State.

“Getting involved is really important,” she says. “There is so much to do and see here, so many things you’ve never experienced before. It’s great to become a part of the Syracuse community.”