Student Career & Professional Development

A unique feature of UCLA Fielding is the incorporation of the Gallup Clifton Strengths assessment, administered to all incoming students. The self-assessment assists students in identifying their areas of talent, which, when supplemented with relevant knowledge and skills, can be developed into strengths. Students are empowered with awareness of their top five strengths from a list of 34 talents, which ultimately helps them choose areas within public health where they can make the greatest impact and achieve the most fulfillment. Gallup research has shown that students who possess a strong awareness of their strengths are more engaged in and connected to school as well as more hopeful for the future, contributing to higher rates of retention. In turn, employees who use their strengths are more productive, suggesting higher levels of overall career satisfaction.

Online resources for UCLA Fielding students include CPDO’s BruinLearn course page, through which they can access career exploration and preparation resources exclusive to them. These include guidance on searching for internships and jobs, sample application materials, interviewing, salary negotiation, and how to maximize an internship experience or make an impact in the first 90 days on the job. Students have exclusive access to the CPDO Slack channels for jobs, internships, and CPDO workshops and events.

FSPH students also have full access to the central UCLA Career Center on campus. Through the Handshake platform, they can view and register for workshops and events for both the UCLA Fielding CPDO and the UCLA Career Center, as well as utilizing online career tools and resources designed to help them succeed.

Through the FSPH Alumni-Student Mentorship Program, UCLA Fielding students are paired with a graduate of the school for an entire academic year. The program leverages the experiences, knowledge, and networks of FSPH alums who provide students with individualized guidance, support, and advice. Matches are made based on shared professional interests and experiences. CPDO works closely with the program to offer trainings and monthly mentoring themes for both mentors and mentees on how to make the most of their mentorship experience together. Learn more about the FSPH Alumni-Student Mentorship Program.

FSPH students are encouraged to:

• Create a free Handshake account and regularly check it for workshops, jobs and internship listings, on-campus recruiting, and annual career fairs provided by FSPH’s CPDO and the UCLA Career Center
• Join the FSPH Slack channel
• Review the Graduate Student and Postdoc Career Prep Toolkit to view sample résumés, CVs, job-search strategies for various career pathways, how to conduct informational interviews, and effective interviewing methods
• Keep their résumés/CVs updated, and begin expanding their professional network early by getting involved in student organizations and reaching out to FSPH graduates for informational interviews. Students are advised to contact the CPDO for support and strategies for outreach

Students are also encouraged to meet with CPDO staff early, returning as often as they need to. They can book one-on-one counseling appointments through Handshake to meet with Kristy J. Sherrer, CPDO director, or Nora Sweeney, CPDO assistant director, to receive guidance at any stage of the job or internship search, including career exploration and planning. They can also email Kristy and Nora any time with questions, to obtain feedback, or to share progress updates.