Derek Wilson

I chose to attend UNC Charlotte for graduate school because of my deep interest in the physical activity and nutrition concentration within the Master’s of Public Health program. As a relatively new area of focus, this concentration aligned perfectly with my passion for building healthier and happier lives through physical activity and nutrition. With a background in exercise science, I believed this focus would complement my academic and career goals.

The skills and knowledge I have gained that have been valuable in my career are teamwork. Having the ability to collaborate effectively with individuals of diverse ages, backgrounds, and personalities. Additionally, other skills and knowledge that have helped me are designing health programs, assessing their impact, and conducting research using evidence-based data to make well-informed decisions.

My favorite UNC Charlotte memory is being inducted into the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health. As one of the few graduate master of public health students selected, this recognition felt incredibly meaningful. Being inducted represented the reward for all my hard work, especially since I had never received formal recognition before graduate school.

My advice would be to stay patient and trust the process—there’s no need to feel rushed. Take the time to discover your passion and build meaningful connections that can help you achieve your goals. If possible, seek out a mentor who can guide and support you throughout your journey.