8: The Intersection of Being Black, Sociology and Public Health with Benjamin Fields, PhD Student

Interview with Benjamin Fields, PhD Student

Listen Here:

Highlights from this episode:

1. Learn about the intersection of sociology and public health
2. How is blackness reflected in sociology and public health
3. Navigating the challenge of going to an elite university

Episode 8 of Public Health Careers

Benjamin Fields talks about his journey of not knowing much about much of the southern US before he started his undergraduate degree at Cornell University. He talks about his challenges navigating this shift coming from high school to an elite school like Cornell. He began his journey as a biology major before switching to public heath and global health. He talks about the struggles with grades in the beginning of his collegiate journey and how he used his forward looking mindset to make the most out of everything he was given.

I love that we got to discuss the intersection of public health and sociology. Additionally, we get to chatting about some issues that affect black people even if they don’t know it is affecting them such as the mindsets and African-American diet, a diet that Benjamin refers to as an “enslaved diet.”

Benjamin talks about what he learnt from taking on global opportunities during his time at Cornell University in both Africa and South East Asia. He talks to these experiences being important in shaping his views of the world today and much more.

Benjamin goes on to share his aspirations for the future as well as give us a hint into what he will be focusing his research on during his PhD program. This episode is sure to teach you some of the dynamics between understanding sociology and public health together. Make sure to follow along Benjamin’s journey as he pursues his PhD in Sociology and Demography.