BU Scholar Explores Health Career Through Prestigious Internship at Howard University
Naomi Shanu-Wilson, a rising sophomore at Boston University, spent her summer as a pre-med and dental intern in the Summer Health Professional Education Program (SHPEP) at Howard University. The six-week enrichment program exposes undergraduates to careers in health fields while offering academic preparation and mentorship.
As part of her internship experience, Naomi shadowed health professionals, took coursework in organic chemistry and genetics, and gained insight into navigating the pre-med track.
“In my first semester, I felt a cloud of pressure to secure an internship,” she says. “There are so many things you’re supposed to do. It can be overwhelming. Learning about SHPEP gave me a chance to gain experience early.”
The program also helped Naomi narrow her career interests. While she has long pursued medicine, she discovered a new passion for dentistry.
I hope to build a career that allows me to foster meaningful relationships with patients.
“There’s something about being able to get in there and immediately fix the issue the patient is facing and alleviate their pain,” she explains. “I hope to build a career that allows me to foster meaningful relationships with patients.”
On campus, Naomi is already emerging as a leader. She serves as Umoja underclassman representative and as freshman representative for the National Society of Black Women in Medicine.
“These positions have given me the opportunity to connect with community at Boston University and overall have helped me become a more well-rounded student,” she says.
Looking ahead, Naomi plans to pursue additional internships in the Boston medical community while continuing her studies in health science and African studies. She credits her Posse experiences with shaping her confidence and direction.
She says, “After getting comfortable talking to Posse mentors, I was more prepared to network and engage the mentors during the internship."
Through both academic and leadership experiences, Naomi is building a foundation for a career in health care dedicated to service.
