Department of Population and Public Health Sciences

Public Health Career Services

Explore Our Programs

Career services for PPHS students

Public Health Career Services supports students and alumni in exploring, discovering, and identifying their individual career pathways. Our services are structured around a career development process to guide students in making informed career decisions and optimizing their career opportunities. Come meet with us and together we can find your career path in public health.

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Services for Students
Services for Employers
Meet our Team

Quick Links for Students

USC-WIDE CAREER SERVICES MANAGEMENT

Handshake

Handshake is USC’s university-wide career services management platform and the largest career community for college students. Currently enrolled students and alumni can access the Handshake community for up to three years after graduating.

  • Job search platform
  • VMock- online holistic resume tool
  • Trojan Network: connect with USC Alumni
  • Trojan Talks: meet with employers from a variety of industries
  • Events: workshops, information sessions, panel presentations, fairs
  • Schedule an appointment with a USC Career Center advisor
  • Online resources and handouts
  • Access to online platforms for career exploration and job readiness · Learn more in their Services At-A-Glance

Students access the system with their Shibboleth login credentials.

Alumni follow the activation directions on this page to access Handshake. If you are still having issues accessing your Handshake account, please complete this form.

Log into Handshake
smiling student at computer

24/7 RESUME REVIEW

VMock

VMock is an online career platform designed to help you strengthen your professional materials and build confidence as you prepare for internships, fellowships, and career opportunities in public health. Available 24/7, VMock provides personalized feedback and tools to support every stage of your career journey.

Log into VMock

VMock video still

Key Features of VMock:

  • SMART Resume Editor – Upload your resume and receive instant, detailed feedback on structure, content, and impact.
  • Cover Letter Review – Get guidance on how to craft strong, tailored cover letters.
  • LinkedIn Profile Feedback – Optimize your profile to improve visibility and highlight your strengths with the Aspire feature.
  • Mock Interviews – Practice with AI-powered interview simulations and receive feedback on your responses.
  • Career Fit Assessment – Explore potential career paths that align with your skills, values, and interests.
  • Elevator Pitch Builder – Refine a concise and compelling introduction to use in networking and interviews.

VMock is a convenient way to practice, improve, and showcase your skills so you can confidently pursue your next opportunity in public health.

Log into VMock

MASTER INTERVIEWING SKILLS

Big Interview

Big Interview is an interactive online platform that helps you build confidence and master your interviewing skills. Whether you’re preparing for an internship, fellowship, or full-time role in public health, Big Interview offers tools and practice opportunities to help you shine in every stage of the interview process.

Key Features:

  • Mock Interviews – Practice answering interview questions through video recordings and receive structured feedback.
  • Question Bank – Access thousands of industry-specific interview questions, including topics related to public-health.
  • Answer Builder – Learn proven strategies to structure your responses clearly and confidently.
  • Practice Tools – Rehearse at your own pace with customizable interview sets.
  • Interview Curriculum – Explore short video lessons covering interview techniques, salary negotiation, and communication skills.

With Big Interview, you can prepare anytime, anywhere, and walk into your next interview with confidence.

Log Into Big Interview
young professional at laptop outside

Meet the Career Services Team

Have questions or looking for career advisement? Contact one of our team members.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, CAREER SERVICES

Welcome! I am proud to lead Career Services for the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences (PPHS). Our office is dedicated to supporting your transition from the classroom to your career through alumni panels, professional development workshops, employer meet-ups, information sessions, and our annual spring career fair. I also meet with students one-on-one to review resumes and cover letters, practice interview skills, discuss salary negotiation, and share strategies for finding internships and jobs in the public health field. As a graduate of the USC MPH Program with a concentration in Community Health Promotion, I understand the journey you are on and am here to help you succeed. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or to schedule a meeting. Fight On!

Reyna Macias, EdD, MPH, CHES
[email protected]
smiling woman

Services for Employers

Public Health Career Services supports employers seeking to hire Trojans through maintaining and disseminating a list of open positions and hosting a variety of career and networking events. To connect, email Reyna Macias, EdD, MPH, CHES, assistant director of career services, at [email protected].