Whether it’s volunteering to be a networking resource for students of public health, participating in recruitment fairs across the country, or enjoying lectures presented by the school, there are a variety of opportunities to remain connected with GSPH.
Here are just a few opportunities available to you as a GSPH and University of Pittsburgh alumnus:
Pitt Career Network
This on-line resource was developed in 2005 to give alumni and students a chance to communicate. As a GSPH alumnus, you can develop a profile on the network and serve as a resource for students and also for other alumni. Questions that might be asked of GSPH alumni include:
- How does a career in public health differ from a career in medicine?
- Would you recommend pursuing a career in __________ (topic or department)? Are the job prospects in this field encouraging?
- Does __________ (another school from which you have a degree) have a good program in __________?
Within your profile, you can specify the level of communication that you prefer (in person, phone, only email, etc.), activities in which you are interested (e.g. campus career panel, job shadowing), and whether internships are available at your company. You may also find this to be a valuable resource for you as you change careers or relocate. Visit www.alumni.pitt.edu/networking to view the network or develop a profile.
Mentoring
While GSPH does not currently have a formal mentoring program except in the Department of Health and Policy Management, it is an initiative that we would like to pursue in the very near future. As part of the development of the program, we would to gauge alumni interest. General information about the program includes:
- Year-long pairing of alumni and student, with the option to continue after one year
- Requirement to communicate with student at least monthly, and twice in person during the year (exceptions can be made for non-regional alumni)
- Set goals for the year – define the purpose and method for the relationship
By mentoring a student, you can provide career guidance, encouragement during the academic program, advice regarding class and program choice, and opportunities for them to make professional contact. An interesting article informing about the benefits of a mentoring program for both students and alumni can be found here.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor for a GSPH student in the near future, or if you have suggestions for development of a program, please contact Linda Fletcher, director of external affairs, at lfletch@pitt.edu or 412-624-6325.
Internships/Job Openings
GSPH actively encourages students to participate in internships within the public health sector. This provides an invaluable opportunity to confront real-time public health situations, to discover the array of career niches that are available to public health professionals, and to hone in on specializations that are the right fit for them.
Alumni have initiated many of the school’s current internships. If you have an available internship, and would like to speak with someone in more detail, please contact Mary Derkach in the Office of Student Affairs at derkach@pitt.edu or 412-624-5200. You may also contact Mary regarding job openings that you have available.
Events
Throughout the year, there is a diverse array of lectures open to the public. Some of these include the Jay L. Foster Memorial Lecture Series in Alzheimer’s Disease, the John C. Cutler Memorial Lecture in Global Health, and lecture series in the Departments of Epidemiology, Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Health & Policy Management, and Human Genetics. See our events calendar for a listing of upcoming events.
Alumni Society
Since the GSPH Alumni Society does not collect dues, every GSPH alumnus is a member. The society plans a variety of alumni activities throughout the year, promotes student/alumni interaction, and confers awards to alumni during the annual alumni dinner. If you are interested in learning more about the Alumni Society, please contact the GSPH Alumni Society President, Anne McGeary at annemcgry@aol.com or Linda Fletcher, GSPH director of external affairs, at lfletch@pitt.edu or 412-624-6325, or visit the alumni section of the website.
Non-Regional Alumni
If you have an interest in contributing your time and talents to GSPH, we can find a place for you, even if you do not live in the Pittsburgh area. Possible roles include:
- Assist at recruiting fairs across the country
- Write a guest column for the GSPH PublicHealth magazine
- Send in historical stuff
- Submit job opportunities
- Host an event for alumni in your area
- Participate in a letter-writing or phone campaign for accepted applicants
- Take part in focus groups or other advisory groups to advise GSPH staff and faculty gauging opinions about proposed programs or initiatives
To discuss these opportunities contact Linda Fletcher, GSPH director of external affairs, at lfletch@pitt.edu or 412-624-6325.