How do you support students’ career development?
I intentionally weave career development into my teaching, mentoring, advising, and community-engaged work. I focus on helping students build practical skills, confidence, and leadership through hands-on learning and real-world experiences. My goal is to help students see how what they’re learning in the classroom connects to meaningful career paths and to support them as they explore what success means to them.
What student population do you primarily work with?
Undergraduate and graduate students in public health and health professions, with a particular focus on first-generation students and those interested in community-based and service-oriented careers.
What career-related topics come up most often with your students?
Students frequently ask about internships and applied learning opportunities, graduate and professional school preparation, public health and healthcare career pathways, networking, building a professional identity, job searching and interviewing, and careers in nonprofit and community leadership.
Experiential Learning & Community-Engaged Projects
- What: I design and lead experiential learning projects embedded into my public health courses so students can apply what they’re learning in real-world settings.
- Who: Undergraduate and graduate public health students.
- Outcome/Impact: Students gain hands-on experience, build professional portfolios, strengthen their resumes, and develop practical skills in research, evaluation, community engagement, and program design.
- Career Design Center Connection: Classroom visits, career exploration resources, and referrals for resume review and internship support.
Student Leadership & Career Mentoring
- What: I mentor students in leadership roles across research teams, service-learning projects, and professional development initiatives.
- Who: Undergraduate and graduate students in SPHHP.
- Outcome/Impact: Students develop leadership, teamwork, project management, and professional communication skills, which often lead to internships, fellowships, graduate school placements, and employment in public health and healthcare fields.
- Career Design Center Connection: Career coaching referrals, job and internship search strategies, event promotion, and collaborative workshops.
Research & Scholarly Mentorship
- What: I supervise undergraduate and graduate research assistants on public health research, evaluation, and community-based studies.
- Who: Undergraduate and graduate student researchers.
- Outcome/Impact: Students build strong research skills, present at conferences, co-author publications, and successfully pursue graduate school, research fellowships, and careers in public health.
- Career Design Center Connection: Graduate school advising resources and career exploration support.
Your perspective on why career development matters:
Career development is essential to student success. When students can clearly connect their academic work to real career pathways, they become more motivated, confident, and empowered to pursue opportunities that align with their values, interests, and long-term goals.
What has your experience been like partnering with the Career Design Center, and what would you like faculty to know about that partnership?
The Career Design Center is an incredible partner in helping students turn their academic experiences into professional success. When faculty intentionally integrate career conversations into their courses and connect students to CDC resources, it makes a powerful difference in students’ readiness, confidence, and career outcomes.
