April is our annual University of Washington School of Public Health Career Month, involving career-development events, a virtual career fair, and workshops for students.
This year’s Career Month helps students navigate career pathways amidst the uncertainties facing public health and our world. Students can connect with and learn from alumni, participate in a mock interview, attend workshops on the global workforce and salary negotiation, explore career paths and network directly with organizations during the virtual career fair.
We kick-off the month to coincide with the American Public Health Association’s National Public Health Week. Register today for these student events to support your career development.
These events are organized in collaboration with the SPH Career Services Team, SPH Career Group, Student and Academic Services, UW Alumni Association and UW Career & Internship Services.
Career Events
Finding Work in Public Health and Health Care: Identifying Your Skills and Strengths
Thursday, April 3, 2025 | 5:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. | Register via Zoom
Looking for work and guidance on how best to showcase your knowledge, skills and strengths to potential employers? Hear from representatives from local organizations on how to stand out in a crowded field of candidates. Get insights, tips and advice from the panelists to help you strategize to get that interview that leads to a job offer.
Panelists: Edgar Calderon, Washington State Department of Health; Anna Faino, Seattle Children’s; Frankline Onchiri, Seattle Children’s,
Moderators: Emily Batlan, Graduate Program and career advisor, MHIHIM Program; Maggie Tarnawa, Professional Development program manager and curriculum coordinator, Biostatistics
The WHO Roadmap: Mapping the Skills and Roles Required to Meet Public Health Needs Around the Globe and Panel
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 | 4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. | via Zoom
In these times of shifting political landscapes, complex health issues, and national and international priorities, it is more important than ever to understand the skill sets required and roles associated within the ever-evolving field of public health. At this keynote event for SPH Career Month, staff from the WHO will present in short, pre-recorded videos, a broad overview of the WHO Roadmap to address the public health workforce needs to meet today’s challenges. Presenters will discuss the mapping of different roles, and the competencies and skills for public health practice. The video will be followed by a panel of public health leaders who will discuss how skills and competencies acquired in public health degrees are transferable/relevant to other job sectors. This event is open to the SPH student, faculty and staff community.
Presenters: Siobhan Fitzpatrick and Tapas Nair, technical officers, Health Workforce Department, World Health Organization
Panelists include: Les Becker, Chief of innovation and technology, Washington State Department of Health; Onyinye Edeh-Vincent, Founder & Lead Strategist, AYE (Adolescent & Youth Engagement) Hub; Yan Guo, Partner Director, Data and AI, Microsoft
Facilitator: Hilary Godwin, dean, School of Public Health
Maintaining Wellness During Your Job Search
Thursday, April 17, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | HRC room G-120
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/3Sivup1Ppa
Explore the topic of wellness during the job and internship search. Representatives from the School Public Health Office of the Dean will facilitate discussions on:
- Potential wellness challenges during your search
- Developing self-awareness
- Support resources available during your search
- How to prioritize wellness during your search
Presenters: Heran Kidane, adviser and health and wellness coordinator, Public Health-Global Health; Danafe Matusalem, adviser and career development coordinator, Public Health-Global Health; Jen Nguyen, mental health counselor and liaison, Health Sciences
Alumni Panel: Careers in Public Health
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 | 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Register via Handshake (open only to members of the UW community)
Join us for this interactive panel session with SPH alumni as they share their experiences building their career in public health. Hear about their first jobs, career interests, experiences at the UW and advice for current students pursuing study and career paths in the field. This panel event is presented by the Career & Internship Center, in partnership with the UW Alumni Association and the UW School of Public Health, as part of our ongoing Alumni Panel Series for students. More information about the Alumni Panel Series can be found here: https://careers.uw.edu/alumni-panels/
School of Public Health Virtual Career Fair on Handshake
Wednesday, April 23, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on HANDSHAKE (Registration Required)
50 organizations participating! STUDENT REGISTRATION NOW OPEN AT:
https://uw.joinhandshake.com/stu/career_fairs/55759
OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS! Meet with employers from across the field at the School of Public Health Virtual Career Fair on Handshake. Talk 1:1 to recruiters and representatives about job and internship opportunities and attend employer group presentations. Get advice on what skills and experiences organizations are looking for, learn how to make yourself stand out as a candidate in the application process and explore your interests in making the world a healthier place.
Evaluating a Job Offer and Salary Negotiation
Thursday, April 24, 2025 | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Register via Zoom
What are the next steps after receiving a job offer? Attend this presentation to learn more about evaluating an offer, negotiating your salary, issues of pay equity and reviewing benefits. Hear from recent alumni as they discuss their experiences in this process.
Co-facilitators: Daren Wade, SPH Career Team; Maggie Tarnawa, Biostatistics; Dan Poux, DEOHS
Mock Interview Opportunities
Appointments held Monday to Wednesday, April 28-30, 2025, and available slots announced to students in mid-April
Are you looking to practice your interviewing skills? Want feedback about how to communicate your experiences and passions? The SPH Career Team has organized one-hour timeslots (including interview and feedback time), for you to practice interviewing with volunteer faculty, staff and community members. Students will be able to sign up earlier in the month to match with one of our virtual mock interviews from April 28-30, 2025. Appointments are available on a first come first serve basis and open to all SPH undergraduate AND graduate students.
APHA’s National Public Health Week (April 7-13, 2025)
Join the 30th anniversary of APHA’s National Public Health Week to celebrate successes, look ahead to upcoming challenges, and create a vision for the future. See APHA’s National Public Health Week Ket Topics for how to engage: nphw.org/themes-and-facts
About SPH Career Month
SPH Career Month helps students identify career paths in public health, develop interviewing and salary negotiation skills, network and connect with public health employers, and more!
While career development services are available to students year-round, SPH Career Month brings together experts in our field through specific workshops and events for expansive yet focused career advancement support.
No matter what stage students are at in their studies, SPH Career Month is invaluable to all students in preparing for and securing a career in public health. Whether students are actively looking for a job or identifying a career path, they can make meaningful progress towards a career by attending and participating.
For more information about SPH Career Month and available career development services contact Daren Wade at sphcareers@uw.edu