Frequently Asked Questions

The Community Advisory Board (CAB) was formed in 2004 to assist the Office of Career Services in understanding how the needs of employers can be met by the talent, skills, and knowledge of RSPH graduates. The CAB is comprised of employers from non-profit organizations, the public industry, the private sector, and government institutions along with select RSPH faculty, students, and other school representatives. Two yearly meetings aid RSPH in forecasting future academic needs and gauging professional readiness, thus strengthening the competitiveness of RSPH graduates within the work force.

The Office of Career Services is not a placement service. Our goal is to provide resources that foster confidence and build the skills necessary for students to attain their professional goals. Students' needs will best be met by visiting Career Services early in their RSPH careers and on an ongoing basis to gain continuing instruction on how to acquire and apply learned job search skills.

The Office of Career Services posts all public health-related opportunities (full-time, part-time, volunteer, etc.) it receives on the RSPH Career Services Portal/Symplicity. All current RSPH students are provided with an account.  If you are having difficulties logging in or would like to be added as an RSPH alum, please contact us.

Additionally, RSPH owns and maintains the largest free centralized public health job posting site in the nation, the Public Health Employment Connection (PHEC).  Click here for instructions and tips for job seekers.

A large majority of RSPH students engage in various forms of part-time employment while attending RSPH, either within the Emory system or at neighboring public health agencies.  Types of positions available generally include:

• RSPH Practical Experience Award – provides funding for master's level public health students to support their academic interests with an applied public health experience. Eligibility for this award is based on need as determined by the FAFSA and availability of funds.  Funds are earned and are paid directly to students through biweekly paychecks. The amount of the award is the maximum the student may earn for the academic year. Students typically work 10-20 hours per week. The wage for graduate students ranges from $11 to $12.50 per hour.  Students may apply for positions through Emory's online system, Symplicity.

• Graduate/Research Assistantships – are hourly paid positions that do not cover tuition.  These are typically announced closer to the start of each semester and on-going throughout the year.  You may learn about assistantships through your department and on the RSPH Career Services Portal/Symplicity.

• Internships and Volunteer Positions – Additional applied experiences, paid or unpaid, may be found in agencies throughout the metro Atlanta.  You may learn about such opportunities through a variety of mechanisms, including the Career Services and department listservs, the RSPH Career Services Portal/Symplicity, online employment banks such as the Public Health Employment Connection, or through your networking efforts.

 In addition to utilizing online resources, we encourage you to be proactive in your search for part-time opportunities.  Here are some tips:

• Use Faculty and Adjunct Faculty as resources– Peruse the the faculty profiles on the RSPH website and contact faculty members directly if you are interested in working with them.  You can visit each department's webpage to access their faculty profiles by selecting "Departments & Centers" from the RSPH homepage.  Don't be shy!  Faculty are used to being contacted by students and are happy to help if they can. Please keep in mind the appropriate timeframe for this would be in the summer.

• Meet with Career Services – While the Office is not a job placement service, we are a point of contact for positions of all kinds and may be able to determine which organizations would be a good fit for your interests and skill sets.  We can also assist you in strengthening your resume and cover letters and preparing for interviews.

• Attend Career Fairs and Networking Events – The Office of Career Services hosts career fairs, networking events, and other programs throughout the semester to provide opportunities for you to interact with alumni and other potential employers.  Be sure to read your e-mails from Career Services and check the RSPH Career Services Portal/Symplicity on a regular basis to register for upcoming events.

Yes, international students may hold part-time jobs on campus with the exception of federal work-study positions.  For further information specific to students with F-1 or J-1 visa, please visit the following sites:

• Current F-1 Students (From the International Student and Scholar Program of Emory University)

  • On-campus Employment

  • Curricular Practical Training

  • Optional Practical Training

• Current J-1 Students (From the International Student and Scholar Program of Emory University)

  • Student Employment

  • Academic Training

For more information, contact the International Student and Scholars Program.

To apply for federal work-study, U.S. citizens must complete and submit a FAFSA through the Emory University Financial Aid Office.

National employment statistics report the job search for new professionals now takes approximately 6-8 months. Pending graduation should not be the impetus to seeking the services of Career Services. We encourage ALL students to seek the guidance of Career Services early in their studies.

Basic steps to ensuring success would be:

• Have your resume critiqued by Career Services and prepared as early as possible. Even applying for part-time student work is highly competitive!

• Attend events and seminars to network with public health professionals.

• While a student, gain as much applied public health experience as possible.

• Take the Practicum experience and other work experiences seriously. Many practica lead to job opportunities and supervisors may serve as professional references.

Our graduates work in a variety of disciplines and environments when they graduate. View the representative sample list of agencies that have recruited and hired our graduates.

Many international students have found employment through sponsorship. For more information, contact the International Student and Scholars Program.

• F-1 students may search for an optional practical training as a type of post-graduate employment opportunity.  Optional Practical Training gives F-1 students an opportunity for work experience in the U.S. before and/or after completion of their degree. It is limited to a total of 12 months in a field directly related to their course of study. 

• J-1 students who wish to be employed for a time after their studies end will need to be prepared ahead of time by beginning their job search early. The approval for the job and any extensions will need to be processed BEFORE the ending date on the Form DS-2019.

A sample list of position titles of RSPH graduates has been compiled from student surveys.

The following graph depicts the starting salaries of 2008-09 RSPH graduates entering the workforce, excluding graduates who had a graduate degree (e.g. MS, PhD, MD, RN) prior to receiving their MPH degree from RSPH.

RSPH graduates have free access to the Office of Career Services for up to two years post-graduation.  Beyond two years, alumni are welcome to schedule an initial meeting with the RSPH Office of Career Services and will then be referred to the Emory Alumni Association (EAA) for further career counseling and coaching. The EAA’s Career Services Program features a comprehensive career counseling and coaching service specialized to meet the needs of alumni, and offers a one-time complimentary coaching or counseling session.  For more information on EAA’s Career Services, please visit The EAA Website.