SPH Career Services

Welcome to the SPH Career Services

At SPH Career Services (SPHCS), we are committed to providing quality services and programs to help our students and alumni navigate through the career development process. Our experienced career services coordinator will assist you in exploring career options, developing essential skills, and locating employment/practicum resources in order to build a successful career in public health.

Through our connections with alumni, the corporate sector and local and global communities, SPHCS provides networking opportunities to promote the success of our students and graduates in the job market.
Please explore our site, attend our programs, and most importantly, visit our center.  We are here to help you.

Contact

Adela Peña, MEd
Career Services Coordinator
UIC School of Public Health
Phone: 312-996-3447
Fax: 312-413-4300
 Adela@uic.edu

Location

1603 West Taylor Street
Peterson Reference Center
Suite 178AA  
Chicago, IL 60612-4394

Office Hours

Monday – Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm
 

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Career Services  

Career Advising

Individual career advising is available by appointment to discuss your career goals, practicum plans, job search or other career related questions. We will also assist you with your self marketing tools, such as resume writing, curriculum vitae, cover letter and other portfolio documents.

Mock Interview

When it comes to interviewing, self-assessment and practice are the keys to success. During each mock interview session, you’ll receive immediate feedback and suggestions for interviewing strategies. You will need to bring a copy of your resume and any interview questions that you would like to practice.

To arrange a meeting, please contact Adela Peña at 312-996-3447.

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Career Events 

The Annual Fall Networking Event

The Annual Fall Networking Event will take place on Thursday, November 13th from 5:30 – 7:30pm in room 932 SPHPI, 1603 West Taylor Street.
This event offers an opportunity to network with SPH alumni and various public health professionals.  You will meet individuals who are interested in sharing their career experiences with you. This event is important in helping you build professional relationships, learning tips and strategies for entering the job market, and discovering how to apply your unique skills and interest to develop a satisfying and successful career in public health.

Before the Event

Check back at this site to view a list of participating professionals. You will be able to review their bios and identify who you would like to meet.

Business Cards

It is customary to exchange business cards at a networking event.  As a current student, you can modify a business card into a Networking Card. A Networking Card contains your contact information, your degrees, certifications, previous job titles, employers, language skills and any other special skills.  Remember to use quality card stock and a balanced layout.

If you would like to include the UIC logo on your cards, you may contact the UIC Office of Publications at http://www.vcsa.uic.edu/MainSite/departments
/publications/home/Printing.htm.

You can also order your cards at vista print at www.vistaprint.com. 

Your 60-second Speech

Prepare a brief introduction of yourself including your name, degree, major and what you are looking for in a public health career.  Be sure to mention what makes you unique and appealing to employers.  This will also help you with developing your job search campaign.

What to Wear

First impressions always count. You are marketing yourself; therefore, you must dress appropriately to make a positive first impression. To be safe, always dress conservatively; a   business suit is best in dark or neutral colors, good hygiene and minimal makeup and jewelry.

At the Event

Be yourself.  Make an effort to speak to others. Set goals for yourself, such as the number of business cards you will exchange. Be inquisitive by asking people questions about themselves and their careers.  Prepare a few leading questions to break the ice.

After the Event

Be sure to follow up with the contacts you’ve made.  You can email a brief thank you note to show appreciation to those   who took the time to talk with you.  You may even want to set up a system for keeping in touch with certain individuals whom you met, to further build upon your professional relationship.

Additional Resources:

• Hansen, Katherine. A Foot in the Door.  New York: Berkley, 2001.

• Hayes, Cassandra. Black Enterprise Guide to Building your Career.” New York: Wiley, 2002.

• Kramer, Marc. Power Networking: Using the Contacts You Don't Even Know You Have to Succeed in the Job You Want. Chicago: VGM, 1998.

• Roane, Susan. How to Work a Room: The Ultimate Guide to Savvy Socializing in Person and Online. New York: Harper Resource, 2002.

• Saxon, Bret, and Elliott Goldman. It's Who You Know: How to Make the Right Business Connections - and Make Them Pay Off. New York: Berkley, 2001.

• Tullier, L. Michelle. Networking For Everyone: Connecting with People for Career and Job Success. JIST, 1997.

Career Panel

Wednesday, March 11, 2009
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Room  932 SPH-PI

Check back at this site for a list of panelists and their biographical information.

Professionals representing a variety of public health careers will discuss their career experiences.  Learn how others have successfully navigated the world of work and managed their professions. There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion.

SPH Events Calendar

Check the SPH Events Calendar for additional information on all events at the school.

Career Development Workshops sponsored by UIC Office of Career Services.

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Job Postings  

Job opportunities are posted every Thursday on the SPH Career Services Website at (add Link here) www.uic.edu/sph/jobpostings

SPH Traineeships & Fellowships

The School of Public Health offers a number of federal research traineeships to support our graduate students.  Most of the traineeships, except for the Public Health Traineeship, are housed within the individual academic divisions. For more information, visit:
http://grad.uic.edu/cms/?pid=1000079

Graduate College Fellowship Office Information

The Fellowship Office of the UIC Graduate College provides information and assistance to graduate students on internal and external fellowships. For more information, visit: http://grad.uic.edu/cms/?pid=1000079.

UIC Alumni Association Career Services

For information on the Alumni Career Center Online Services, visit: http://www.uiaa.org/chicago/

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Field Practicum Information and Forms  

Click here for Field Practicum Guidelines and Procedures.

Click here for All Field Practicum Forms.

Practicum Sites with Agreements

To download the list of sites, click here. The following sites have existing agreements with UIC for Student Placements. If your field practicum site is NOT on this list, contact Adela Peña at 312-996-3447 or at Adela@uic.edu.

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Prospective Employers and Preceptor Sites

If you would like to post a job on this website, please send your job description to Adela Peña at Adela@uic.edu. 

To post an internship opportunity, please complete our Field Practicum Opportunities form at http://www.uic.edu/sph/students_forms.htm#practica and send to Adela@uic.edu .Thanking you in advance for your interest in our students.

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A Message from the SPH Alumni Board  

The UIC SPH Alumni Association Board of Directors wishes you a productive and exciting year of growth and accomplishment.

Your progress and integration into the field of public health are a priority of the Alumni Association. Throughout the year, we will provide programming and communication which will benefit you as you consider internships and career placement.  Look for notices of networking events.  Many alumni attend school events throughout the year, including holiday gatherings and our coveted International Night.

Students have direct representation on the Alumni Association Board of Directors through the Public Health Student Association, the Minority Students for the Advancement of Public Health - http://www.uic.edu/sph/students_gov.htm and the Student-Alumni Liaison, Craig Hyland, craigh@uic.edu. Convey your interests through any one of these representatives and bring your relevant issues to our attention.

Don’t wait until you graduate to benefit from connecting with alumni. You will find contact information for the Alumni Board members at http://www.uic.edu/sph/alumni_contact.htm.

We look forward to meeting you!

Best wishes,



The UIC SPH Alumni Board

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