VMCVM Student Spotlight: Sydney Thompson

Sydney Thompson

Degree: MPH Class of 2025, Community Health Promotion and Equity
Hometown: Stafford, Virginia

My undergraduate was in…
Psychology

Best part of being a VMCVM student…
The opportunities to explore passion and find new ones.

The moment I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian/public health professional was…
while completing a project on maternal mortality during undergrad. It clicked that I needed to learn more and work in this field to address these public health issues especially considering the social factors that influence health and access.

My hidden talent...
would probably be my cooking/baking skills.

A person who has inspired me...
are my parents. Between the leadership that my dad has demonstrated throughout his Army and civilian careers and my mom going back to school to pursue her passions, I feel inspired to work hard.

Biggest misconception about being a veterinarian/public health student…The biggest misconception about public health is that it is a limiting field when really it is applicable in various careers and daily living.

If I had a superpower, it would be...
teleportation so that I can travel whenever I want.

My no-fail, go-for-it motivational song...
Just Fine by Mary J Blige. I have sung this song since I was a kid in the backseat headed to school.

The course project/study you're most excited about...
since I have just started my second and last year in the MPH program the next big course project will be the Integrative Learning Experience next semester. In the meantime, I am enjoying my projects through my graduate assistantship.

What excites me the most about the future of my industry...
is the opportunity to work with diverse groups and utilize interdisciplinary collaboration to develop informed solutions.

Favorite way to end the day...
Some dessert and either reading a book or catching up on the many shows I am juggling.

Top of my bucket list...
is to see the Northern Lights!