Gillings School Career Services
When it comes to competing for professional opportunities, engaging with the Gillings Career Services office ensures that you are among the best-prepared candidates in the marketplace. Preparation is critical to career success. We begin working with students so they'll be ready for the challenges of a diverse, global workplace. It means having the abilities that give you a competitive edge – and helping you achieve results is a cornerstone of our mission. Some of the services that we provide include: career planning & decision-making, resume/CV & cover letter reviews, interview preparation, salary negotiation, networking, and job search resources.
Learn More:
For Students: How to Make an Appointment
The Gillings Career Services team is available to help students and alumni advance in their career development. In addition to University Career Services, our Career Services team is dedicated to serving Gillings students in their specific career needs.
Career Services Coordinator
Lidia Colato Raez
Lidia Colato Raez, lidiatha@email.unc.edu
Serving the following departments/concentrations:
Departments: Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Maternal and Child Health, Health Behavior and Public Health Leadership
Concentrations: Environmental Health Solutions, Health Behavior, Health Equity, Social Justice and Human Rights, Leadership in Practice, and Maternal Child and Family Health
If you have any questions about your appointment, please email Lidia at Lidia.Colato@unc.edu
Lidia most recently served as a Graduate Assistant in the Career Center at the University of Georgia working with public health, pharmacy, environmental science and engineering students. Prior to that, Lidia was a College Adviser with the Carolina College Advising Corps. She also has experience working in the office of New Student and Family Programs at Virginia Tech and the office of Student Conduct at Oglethorpe University. Lidia holds a Master of Education in College Student Affairs Administration from the University of Georgia, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Women’s and Gender Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Alumni and Student Career Services Coordinator
Derek Just
Derek Just, derekj@email.unc.edu
Serving the following departments/concentrations:
Departments: Nutrition, Epidemiology, Biostatistics
Concentrations: Applied Epidemiology, Nutrition, Nutrition and Dietetics, Public Health Data Science, Population Health for Clinicians, Global Health, and Health Policy
Current Students: Make an appointment
Alumni: Make an Appointment through Calendly.
If you have any questions about your appointment or alumni career services, please email Derek at derekj@email.unc.edu.
Derek served as a Career Counselor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University and is a certified Career Identity Advocate. Derek also has experience working at UNC in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and most recently as Registration Manager in the Office of Digital and Lifelong Learning at the Friday Center. Derek holds a Master of Education in College Counseling and Student Development from North Carolina State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Minot State University. He also served in the United States Navy as an Electronics Technician and was the recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for leadership.
Jeffrey Simms and Cathy Padgett
Department: Health Policy Management
Degrees: BSPH, MSPH, MHA, DrPH, PhD
FOR ALUMNI: How to Make an Appointment
No matter what stage you are in with your career, Gillings Career Services is here to support YOU! Whether you are exploring a new public health career, seeking a new public health opportunity, or looking to tap into the Gillings alumni network, the Gillings Career Services Team is committed to helping you achieve your professional goals.
Gillings alumni are encouraged to take advantage of our full range of career services, which begins with a 1-on-1 appointment with a career specialist. Schedule a one-on-one career advising appointment with Derek by visiting Calendly.
Recent graduates may schedule a 45-minute appointment, via telephone or virtually (Zoom). Individualized career services include career management advising; Resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile consultation; networking and job search strategies; mock interviews; negotiating job offers.
FOR EMPLOYERS: Posting Jobs And Recruiting
You have come to the right place to recruit top public health talent in the nation! Here at Gillings School, you will find a community of engaged students with experiences in solving some of the most challenging health problems to date. Our talented and diverse public health students are goal-oriented, well-rounded, globally-minded and ready to drive meaningful change in your organization from their first day on the job.
The Handshake portal enables employers to reach all current Gillings School students with job, fellowship and internship opportunities and maximize your recruitment efforts through various recruitment opportunities. There is no charge to post opportunities and gain access to our talent pool.
Interested in recruiting at Gillings School of Public Health? The Gillings Career Services office offers a variety of ways to connect:
- Handshake – career portal for all University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students (including Gillings School students)
- Employer Information Sessions
- On-campus Interviewing
- Opportunities to participate in career programming such as mock interviews or presenting on an industry topic in your field.
If you would like to further discuss connecting with Gillings students and alumni, please contact Lidia Colato Raez at Lidia.Colato@unc.edu.