Anna Blatto, Class of 2018

Anna Blatto.

Graduation Date

May 2018

Majors

Urban and Public Policy Studies; Sociology  

Minors

Chinese; Environmental Design

Awards and Recognitions

Recipient of Critical Language Scholarship for Chinese: Taiwan, Summer 2016; Research Assistant in Smoking Research Lab through UB Department of Psychology; Volunteer Internship with Partnership for the Public Good, 2017-2018; IDP Outstanding Senior, 2018; Charles Haynie Memorial Student Award, 2018

Why did you choose Social Sciences Interdisciplinary?

When I first came into UB, I was completely unsure of what I wanted to pursue. Although I was aware I was more interested in studying the social sciences and the liberal arts, I wasn’t sure what my exact interests were. I didn’t even realize there was an interdisciplinary program! As I began to attend various seminars and do some social and academic exploration, I realized I had a strong interest in studying cities and interactions within them. I’ve always viewed cities as a center for life and creativity and wanted to develop my understanding of how policy impacts urban spaces. Therefore, I found it appropriate to partner my love for the study of social development with my love for cities through IDP in the Urban and Public Policy concentration.

What did you like best about your experience in the program?

I really enjoyed IDP for two reasons. First, even though the program itself is rather large, I always felt I could reach out to the office and that I’d be able to get guidance and advice. Second, the “interdisciplinary” aspect of it was very attractive because I feel as though it is easier to gain a more comprehensive knowledge of a given field of study by combining a series of classes offered in other fields of study. Therefore, 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.

What advice would you give to an incoming UB student?

The best advice I could give after completing four years at UB is to get as involved as possible as early as possible, while still leaving time for academics and to relax with friends. This balance is really hard to achieve, but the earlier you do it, the more prepared you’ll be. UB can be intimidating because it combines a large campus with thousands of students studying countless subjects. However, involvement will help you find your niche and make such a large, diverse community a little bit smaller and more approachable. Also, making sure you know your professors and advisors in your department is incredibly important – it’s crucial to your development and will make a huge difference when you need help or want to apply for scholarships or other opportunities.

Reflecting on your time at UB, what are you most proud of?

One of the things I’m most proud of is my ability to engage and involve myself in a variety of jobs and activities while continuing to perform well academically. There were certainly bumps along the road, but ultimately, I’m very proud of the experiences I gained and work I did throughout my four years of undergraduate study. Additionally, I officially published a report through Partnership for the Public Good, a local policy institute, in spring of my senior year (2018). The academic and extracurricular experiences I involved myself in contributed greatly to my ability to achieve that accomplishment.

What are your future plans?

At this point, I certainly want to pursue further academic opportunities; therefore, I plan on applying to joint JD/MUP or JD/MPP programs for fall 2019 admission. Ultimately, I hope to work in the field of community development to create and sustain more socially just and equitable urban communities.

Meet More Students

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    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.
  • Stephanie Simeon, Class of 2003
    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).
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    10/8/20
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    10/8/20
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  • Clara Cook, Class of 2021
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  • Anna Blatto, Class of 2018
    9/19/19
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