For Faculty and Staff
Students studying at the Boston University School of Public Health are motivated to advance in their careers and make a difference in the world. Public Health students can explore a plethora of opportunities across multiple sectors and functional areas, and often seek the advice of faculty and staff advisors to:
- find out about career paths, organizations and roles that might be a fit for them
- find out about your experience, and what you would advise if they want a similar career
- find alumni and others in the field for informational interviews, practicums and jobs
- find support because they may be feeling “stuck” in their practicum or job search
The following sections contain detailed information (with links) regarding the most common topics that students ask about.
Tips for Advising Undecided Students
Use our Career Planning Guide while working with students who are undecided about career paths that might be right for them. The first two sections focus on a) Self-Assessment, and b) Researching the Field and Narrowing Down Options. Once a student has completed these first two sections, a good supplemental activity is for them to conduct informational interviews in the field.
Another way for students to get acquainted with their career options is to read our weekly Career & Practicum Update newsletter which features where new grads are landing jobs, “hot” job and practicum postings, upcoming employers on campus, workshops, external networking events and general career tips.
Advising Students on Course Selection
In preparation for your meeting, ask the student to bring a few sample job descriptions that they may want to target post-graduation (the more detailed, the better). Based on these descriptions, work with the student to identify the knowledge, competencies and skills that they already have. Next, identify the knowledge, competencies and skills that they don’t have (or need to hone) to be more marketable. From there, suggest classes that will fill these “gaps”.
Advising International Students
Many international students hope to find a job in the U.S. after they graduate. Most students are on F1 visas which allows them to conduct OPT (optional practicum training) for one year after they graduate (they must apply via the BU International Students & Scholars Office.). Students who are completing certificates in Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Environmental Health, and Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials are also eligible for an additional length of time under the government’s STEM rule (currently an additional 17 months). We encourage students to meet with an ISSO representative early in their time here to learn the regulations, requirements, timelines, etc. The BU International Students & Scholars Office staff stay up-to-date with any changes in the law. If students ask about how to search for employers who sponsor H1B visas, please encourage them to meet with an advisor in the Career & Practicum Office.
Required Career PREP Course
All MPH students must complete our Career PREP course which is a zero credit, pass/fail course. Like any course, students can register on Student Link for PH746. To accommodate student schedules, we offer this both in-person as well as an online format. Encourage students to take the required Career PREP course as early as possible so they can gain knowledge and techniques not only for their practicum search but also for their job search. Students may complete this requirement any time after they finish core courses. Note: There is NO waiver available.
Practicum Information & Requirements
Students must complete 240 hours which may be completed in one or more semesters. Remote practicums are acceptable with sufficient team interaction. The Practicum must meet five learning competencies and produce two tangible work products (deliverables). Students must submit a Practicum Proposal in our Practicum Portal for approval. International students must also register with the BU International Students & Scholars Office. For more details on specific requirements and the registration process, please visit our Practicum Requirements Page.
NOTE: New CEPH guidelines are in place for faculty hosting practicum students. These practicums must now involve external stakeholders. For more information, please contact sphpract@bu.edu.
Suggestions for Students Seeking Practicums
To help students seeking practicums, please suggest that they do the following:
- Attend a Practicum 101 Workshop. Check Handshake for Dates.
- Schedule an individual appointment with a Practicum Manager to fine-tune their practicum search plan and brainstorm targets.
- Attend drop-in hours for resume and cover letter reviews.
- Attend Employer Info Sessions and Practicum Expo. Check Handshake for Upcoming Dates.
- Apply to practicums on Handshake which are posted all year. Use other job boards as well.
- Look through our Past Practicum Database to find practicums of interest. Reach out to Past Practicum Supervisors to see if they have needs.
- Become a member of the BUSPH Alumni LinkedIN Group, and identify alumni to see if they have needs.
MPH Graduate Employment Data
Current Practicum & Job Postings and Creating a Practicum Opportunity
The Career & Practicum Office cultivates relationships with hundreds of practicum host sites and employer organizations. All current practicum and job postings are in our Handshake job board for students to access. These postings are vetted and updated daily, and expiration dates are noted on each posting. Handshake is the #1 place where students should look for postings and submit applications. Other resources include:
- Past Practicum Database (by contacting prior supervisors — as well as other networks — to ask if they need help, students may be able to create their own practicum)
- Non-BU job boards
Resume, Cover Letter and LinkedIN Reviews and Interview Prep
Employers and Alumni on Campus
- The Career & Practicum Offices hosts over 100 employers and alumni on campus each year. Visit Handshake for Upcoming Dates.
- Employer Info Sessions – Fall and Spring
- Annual Career Fair – February
- Annual Practicum Expo – March
- Annual Alumni Network Express (co-sponsored with Alumni & Development Office) – December
- Note: Students should also join the BUSPH Alumni LinkedIN Group to network online.
Contact the Career & Practicum Office
Locations: Talbot 112 East, sphcareeroffice@bu.edu | Talbot 118 West, sphpract@bu.edu
Joe Anzalone
Senior Manager, Global Practicums
|
Practicums in Global Program Management, Monitoring & Evaluation, and Global Health, and General Practicum Portal Support |
Talbot 118B West |
josanz@bu.edu |
617-358-1767 |
Emily Brown
Manager of Practicum
|
Practicums in CAPDIE, Health Communication & Promotion, Domestic Program Management, Healthcare Management, Health Policy and Law, and General Practicum Portal Support |
Talbot 118A West |
brownem@bu.edu |
617-358-1805 |
Stern Chamblain
Career Advisor & Relationship Manager
|
Careers in Health Policy & Law, Policy & Advocacy and Healthcare Management |
Talbot 118C West |
sternjr@bu.edu |
617-358-1731 |
Marie Daniel
Career Advisor & Relationship Manager
|
Careers in Epi/Bio, Environmental Health, and the Life Sciences industry |
Talbot 112 East |
mariemda@bu.edu |
617-358-4084 |
Justine de Marrais
Administrative Project Manager
|
General Questions, Events, On-Campus Interview Logistics, Handshake Support, Career Newsletter and Website Maintenance/Edits |
Talbot 112 East |
justined@bu.edu |
617-358-4088 |
Gwenn Fairall
Career Advisor & Relationship Manager
|
Careers in Global Health: Global Program Management and Monitoring & Evaluation |
Talbot 112 East |
gfairall@bu.edu |
617-358-4082 |
Julia Lanham
Assistant Director, Career Advising & Relationship Management
|
Careers in CAPDIE, Health Communication & Promotion, Domestic Program Management, Career PREP |
Talbot 112 East |
jlanham@bu.edu |
617-358-4088 |
Maria McCarthy
Director, Career Advising & Professional Development
|
Self-Assessment, Fellowship/Phd/Medical School/Law School Application materials (personal statements, CV’s, etc), Mock Interviews, General Career Advising, Career PREP |
Talbot 112 East |
mamcc@bu.edu |
617-358-4050 |
Lisa Toby
Assistant Dean, Career Engagement
|
Careers in Consulting (across all Certificates), Hospital Administrative Fellowships and Mock Case-Based Interviews |
Talbot 112 East |
ltoby@bu.edu |
617-358-4078 |
Ryan Wisniewski
Manager of Practicum
|
Practicums in Epi/Bio, Environmental Health and Life Sciences, and General Practicum Portal Support |
Talbot 118A West |
ryanwis@bu.edu |
617-358-1829 |