HHP Pirate Profile - Hunter Sullivan

About Hunter:

College: Health and Human Performance

Major: Child Life

Age: 22

Hometown: Vero Beach, Florida

Hobbies/ Interests: Playing sports, spending time with friends, traveling

Clubs/ Organizations: Child Life Student Organization, ECU Ambassadors, Intramural Sports

Favorites:

Role model: Tim Tebo

Favorite place on campus: Central campus fountain

Favorite classes: Family and Marriage Relations & Personal Finance

Favorite food: Barbeque

Favorite musical artist: Billy Joel

Why did you pick Child Life as your major?

I knew I wanted to do something to help others, and working with kids. My senior year of high school I was going between occupational therapy, social work etc. I just couldn’t figure out exactly what I wanted to do. During my visit to ECU, my tour guide was actually a Child Life major, and as soon as she explained what the major entailed I knew that was what I wanted to do! It was just one of those moments.

Why did you pick East Carolina University?

I wanted to find a school that was small, but not too small, and where I would be known as a person and not as a number in the classroom. I actually found ECU on google images where I saw Dowdy Ficklen Stadium, and the rest of the campus. I eventually applied and came on a tour in the middle of the fall season. Living in Florida I have never really seen fall before at the time. It was the middle of football season, and the campus was beautiful. Everyone on campus was extremely nice and welcoming. Once I met my tour guide and found my major I realized this is where I wanted to be. I knew ECU would be a great place for me to do my service to others, and it felt like home.

What do you plan to do after graduation?

After graduation, I would like to work in the Hospice and Palliative care setting for pediatrics. This would involve a lot of family centered care, and working with siblings and parents and helping them cope and grieve through a difficult process. Eventually, I would also like to become a Certified Child Life Specialist as well.

What is your long-term goal?

In the future I would like to create my own foundation, and from there build a school for children with special needs or chronic conditions, and also create a group home attached to that.

What is your favorite aspect of your major?

It is an honor to help families through what could be the most challenging time of their life. For me to be able to help them is humbling. I love working with families from all different backgrounds, cultures and belief systems. I get the opportunity to help people heal without using medicine, which is also an honor.

Any advice for other Child Life majors?

Don’t overthink, you will end up second guessing yourself, so trust your gut feeling in any situation. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. It is important to create and build a support system, because that can help you through any tough situation. Lastly, pray more, worry less.