Meet Alison Paxtor!
- She/her/ella
- California State University, East Bay ’22
- Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences with a concentration in public health
- First-gen college graduate
What keeps you motivated on your career path?
What keeps me motivated is the opportunity to create meaningful change in healthcare and public health. I’m driven by the chance to advocate for health equity and support systems that serve all people, regardless of their background or circumstances.
I’m passionate about improving access, resources, and outcomes so that everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy, fulfilling life. Knowing that my work can help create a lasting, positive impact keeps me inspired every day.
Where do you hope to make an impact in your career?
My overall career goal is to contribute to impactful and lasting improvements across healthcare and public health systems. I want to be involved in efforts to expand access to care, promote health education, and create healthier environments for individuals and communities. I truly believe that health is a basic human right. This belief drives my commitment to building more equitable health systems.
Whether through program development, program evaluation, policy work, data analysis, or health communications, I aim to contribute to solutions that make healthcare more effective, inclusive, and accessible.
Can you share a challenge you experienced in college and how you overcame it?
One challenge I faced in college was understanding the material in my microbiology class. The content was tough to grasp because there were many new terms and concepts all at once. I knew I was struggling when, after some lectures, I still felt confused and needed extra explanations to fully understand.
To turn things around, I used every resource available to me. I sought tutoring, went to office hours regularly, reread the textbooks, formed study groups, and used online resources for extra help.
All that hard work paid off, and I ended up earning an A in what was the hardest class I had ever taken. It was a huge accomplishment for me and showed me that with persistence and dedication, I can overcome difficult challenges.
Looking back, how did taking those steps in the short term lead you to where you are now in the long term? What advice would you give to a student who may be going through the same challenge?
In the short term, struggling in microbiology taught me that it’s okay to ask questions and seek help when you don’t understand something. I also learned to use resources like tutoring and office hours consistently and stay committed to my efforts.
In the long run, it taught me that persistence really does pay off. That experience gave me confidence and shaped how I approach challenges today.
For anyone that is facing something similar: know that it’s okay to speak up. You don’t have to go through it alone or have all the answers right away. Use the support around you, stay committed, and trust that your hard work will lead to progress, even if it takes time.
If there is one thing you’d advise your first-year self, what would it be?
If I could give my first-year undergraduate self some advice, it would be to not be so hard on yourself.
College comes with its highs and lows, and that’s completely normal. Even when things feel overwhelming, you’re going to be okay. Take a deep breath, stay open to new experiences, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. And most importantly, remember this: everyone is so proud of you.
More in this ‘My Motivation’ series
Share your story!
This storytelling series showcasing the real experiences of students and alumni navigating college, career, and personal growth — and would love for Wave-Maker alums and students to be part of it! This is your chance to share your motivation — what keeps you going, the struggles you’ve faced, and the wins you’ve accomplished to help current students going through similar experiences.
More career resources
