Graduate Program in Public Policy Alumni Profiles
Benedicta Anikputa
Summer 2014 Archer Fellow
Internship: Special Olympics International
Education
The University of Texas at Austin
B.S. Public Health, B.S. Human Biology; December 2012
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
M.P.H. Public Health; May 2015
The University of Texas at Austin
Ph.D. Nursing; Exp. 2022
Summer 2014 Archer Fellow
Internship: Special Olympics International
Education
The University of Texas at Austin
B.S. Public Health, B.S. Human Biology; December 2012
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
M.P.H. Public Health; May 2015
The University of Texas at Austin
Ph.D. Nursing; Exp. 2022
“Being in the program, participating in class discussions, going to seminars and immersing myself in D.C. really exposed me to the many places my degree could take me.”
Q & A with Benedicta
What has been your general career path?
Generally, I have worked in the realm of public health particularly on research focused on nutrition and obesity prevention. I also had an internship that focused more on hospital administration. My most recent job was as a case consultant for the Texas Department of State Health Services. I dealt with issues related to tuberculosis surveillance, reporting and training for the State of Texas.
How has being an Archer Fellow influenced your professional path and goals?
I had never thought about or really knew what a "civil servant" was or what they could do until I got involved with the Graduate Program in Public Policy. Being in the program, participating in class discussions, going to seminars and immersing myself in D.C. really exposed me to the many places my degree could take me. I know I ultimately want to end up working for a federal agency like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or HHSC or for an NGO/Non-Profit.
What do you value the most about your experience as an Archer Fellow?
I value the opportunities I had to participate in events that aligned with my interest. There were so many conferences and seminars ranging from equality in education for girls to general public health issues. I also value the friendships I made.
What was the most important thing you learned as an Archer Fellow?
The most important thing I learned as an Archer Fellow is how to interact and communicate more efficiently and effectively with those from different backgrounds, upbringings and worldviews. I had known how to before, but living in the same space with other fellows was a good crash course to how life is in a professional setting (I highly recommend living with your cohort).
What do you value the most about being an Archer Alumna?
I value being a part of a group with driven individuals. All the alumni I know are high achievers that want to see positive change in the world and are willing to help their fellow alumni professionally.
What is your favorite memory from the program?
There are so many, whether it be the social ones like Jazz in the Garden or biking to Mount Vernon using a Groupon or the professional ones like attending the Washington Post seminar where I met the surgeon general and the speakers we had in class. There are too many to choose from.
Do you have advice for prospective students?
Just apply! You won't regret the experience.
What has been your general career path?
Generally, I have worked in the realm of public health particularly on research focused on nutrition and obesity prevention. I also had an internship that focused more on hospital administration. My most recent job was as a case consultant for the Texas Department of State Health Services. I dealt with issues related to tuberculosis surveillance, reporting and training for the State of Texas.
How has being an Archer Fellow influenced your professional path and goals?
I had never thought about or really knew what a "civil servant" was or what they could do until I got involved with the Graduate Program in Public Policy. Being in the program, participating in class discussions, going to seminars and immersing myself in D.C. really exposed me to the many places my degree could take me. I know I ultimately want to end up working for a federal agency like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or HHSC or for an NGO/Non-Profit.
What do you value the most about your experience as an Archer Fellow?
I value the opportunities I had to participate in events that aligned with my interest. There were so many conferences and seminars ranging from equality in education for girls to general public health issues. I also value the friendships I made.
What was the most important thing you learned as an Archer Fellow?
The most important thing I learned as an Archer Fellow is how to interact and communicate more efficiently and effectively with those from different backgrounds, upbringings and worldviews. I had known how to before, but living in the same space with other fellows was a good crash course to how life is in a professional setting (I highly recommend living with your cohort).
What do you value the most about being an Archer Alumna?
I value being a part of a group with driven individuals. All the alumni I know are high achievers that want to see positive change in the world and are willing to help their fellow alumni professionally.
What is your favorite memory from the program?
There are so many, whether it be the social ones like Jazz in the Garden or biking to Mount Vernon using a Groupon or the professional ones like attending the Washington Post seminar where I met the surgeon general and the speakers we had in class. There are too many to choose from.
Do you have advice for prospective students?
Just apply! You won't regret the experience.
