Hope Carroll, Class of 2020
Graduation Date
Majors
Health and Human Services; Psychology
Hometown
Campus Involvement
Student representative at the University at Buffalo’s call center; Welcome Weekend Leader for incoming first year students.
Why did you choose Social Sciences Interdisciplinary?
I chose IDP because for as long as I can remember, I knew that no matter what I ended up doing as a career or throughout life in general, I wanted to help people. I have always had a passion for making people feel heard, advocacy and offering support when needed; this major seems to encapsulate all of that and much more. Regarding my concentration, I am very passionate about community mental health and believe that education and awareness of the complexities of mental health is crucial for everyone.
What has been your favorite class to date?
My favorite class to date has been Personality Disorders with Professor Kerry Zelazny. This course provides a deeper look into personality psychopathology and how to identify, understand and treat many types of personality disorders. Not only is the material intriguing, but Professor Zelazny makes great efforts to emphasize the importance of understanding and acceptance within this field. I also value and appreciate the way he stresses the use of inclusive and non-stigmatizing language throughout his instruction.
What advice would you give to an incoming UB student?
As an incoming first year student, it is important to know that assistance is everywhere. Professors, teaching assistants, faculty members and fellow students are all here and willing to help as you adjust to new changes upon your arrival at UB. We are all here to help get you connected to resources, answer any questions you may have, and to make you feel welcome in this new environment – so don’t hesitate to reach out!
What accomplishment are you most proud of so far during your time at UB?
I am definitely proud of my academic achievement, the experience I have gained in my field prior to graduation and my ability to balance all aspects of my life while at UB. However, I am mostly proud of the personal growth that has taken place during my time here. UB has provided an incredible environment that has allowed me to continue learning, experiencing, succeeding and growing into the person and helper I strive to be.
What are you hoping to do in the future?
Upon graduation, I plan on pursuing my master’s degree in the field of social work (MSW). My end goal is to work within an office in a college setting, assisting students and collaborating with faculty members to create a welcoming and helpful environment.
What is one fun fact about you?
I have my cosmetology license!
Meet More Students
10/8/20
My first major was English and Writing, thinking I wanted to go into advertising. Then, I got a job working in a group home, and discovered human services. I really enjoyed the work and when I learned I could have a career helping people reach their potential, I was sold. I switched my major and never looked back. What kept me engaged was knowing I could immediately apply what I learned in class, often the next day or week. Another draw is the range of work that this major reaches. While I started with direct care work, I was able to move up into management positions and still apply the lessons I learned at UB. My career started with individuals with disabilities, however, I was also prepared to work with children, older adults, and people with mental health challenges throughout my career thanks to my education.
10/8/20
I had attended John Jay High School back home which was a specialized high school focused on law. Most go from there and pursue a career in law or law enforcement. I was determined to go from John Jay to the Legal Studies program then straight into law school. Although I made a different choice by going into Urban Planning, I still use the skills learned from the Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Program, specifically all the statistics, demographics, logic/game theory (not sure if they still require those classes anymore).
10/8/20
I chose to minor in Nonprofit Leadership because I knew I wanted to work in a sector that prioritized making the world a better place over profit margins. What I enjoyed most about it was seeing all the unique ways nonprofits can exist and operate in our world. There is no one size fits all business model for these organizations and it’s cool to see how different organizations take creative approaches to struggles in different communities.
10/8/20
I chose to major in Health and Human Services because this field of study’s goal was to inform as well as provide me with the knowledge that I needed which would be beneficial to not only my day-to-day experiences, but to my professional experiences as well. I have gained a holistic perspective from each of these courses which gave me a better understanding of the world around me.
10/8/20
I was first attracted to IDP because of its interdisciplinary nature. I believe that today’s world is moving towards this direction because problems and events are far too complex to only assess them through a narrow lens. The IDP major allowed me to study not only African and Middle Eastern politics but also language, culture, economics, and history. This comprehensive curriculum made me a well-rounded student, leaving UB confident in the challenges that lie ahead.
4/13/21
I knew at the time I wanted to pursue a career in Healthcare Administration, and the Health & Human Services program felt like the best fit to prepare me for the field. The program’s foundation in human services laid the groundwork for me to continue to build upon as I progressed into my Masters program and ultimately into leadership roles in not-for-profit healthcare.
10/8/20
I was interested in my psychology courses because I love understanding why we work the way we do, but I did not want to just understand, I wanted to take that understanding and make people’s lives easier, using what I learned. Cognitive Science called to me because it took every academic interest and showed me a real-life application, a means of not just studying people but making a difference in those people’s lives. I love solving problems, and I like to think of cognitive science as a field predicated on the idea that there is a way to make our world interactions better. We just have to figure out how.
10/13/20
My experience in IDP has been the highlight of my college career. Each semester, I look forward to the plethora of classes I can take and am excited to learn about different academic disciplines. I really enjoyed being able to combine my interests within IDP: political science, sociology, and law.
1/29/20
I chose to major in Health and Human Services because it went along really well with a Psychology major, and the two programs complemented each other in a great way. I was able to take a more diverse array of classes that resulted in me attaining a more well-rounded education.
10/24/19
What attracted me to the IDP Cognitive Science concentration was an interest in mind and consciousness, and a disenchantment with how other disciplines go about studying those things.
9/19/19
I chose IDP because it allowed me to personalize my university education. Oftentimes, students feel that their education is placed in a ‘box’ … it doesn’t have to be that way! For me, IDP was the best way to pursue my interests in policy development, sociology/social change, and the relationships between people and places while developing a strong background in research theory/methodology and experiential learning.
9/19/19
What attracted me to the IDP program was the ability to study education … With the IDP program I was able to have a concentration in Early Childhood Studies which then allowed me to take classes focused on my interests.
11/25/19
I chose IDP because for as long as I can remember, I knew that no matter what I ended up doing as a career or throughout life in general, I wanted to help people. I have always had a passion for making people feel heard, advocacy and offering support when needed; this major seems to encapsulate all of that and much more.
9/19/19
I was able to take classes in a variety of departments and apply them effectively to my area of study. I think this allowed me a greater understanding of my field through the perspectives of various disciplines.
9/16/19
I’m from Orchard Park, New York, and I am studying French, linguistics and international studies with a regional focus in Africa.
9/16/19
Originally from Buffalo, New York, I am pursuing a double major in Health and Human Services/Community Mental Health and Psychology.
9/16/19
For me, this major encompassed everything I am. After pursuing nursing, and realizing that clinical work was not “for me,” I started to hone in on my leadership skills and ability to direct, inspire and HELP.
