Reflections on the Job Search Process
Sydney’s transition to working at Mamtoto Village was smooth, which she credits to the chemistry she had with her boss during her time there when she completed her practicum. She emphasized how important networking and maintaining relationships during school can be. It was her connection with her former preceptor that brought the job to her while she was on her job search.
Sydney wants students to make sure they stay in touch with their classmates, professors, and other mentors during their time at GWU, all of whom became important resources and advisors during her job search.
Sydney’s main piece of advice: Be resilient and proactive!
“There is a job out there. There is a place out there for you, there's an organization that wants you, you just have to really, like dig deep and get through it.”
She emphasized the importance of LinkedIn groups, improving resume quality, and tracking every job applied to (regardless of whether or not you get it).
The Most Useful Skills from GWU and the Center of Excellence
- Her Top Choices: Program Evaluation with Dr. Napolitano, MCH II (Especially helpful with SPSS skills), Structural Racism with Dr. Wendy Ellis, Culture and Health with Dr. Mark Edberg, and Healthcare Economics
- Honorable mention: Perinatal Epidemiology with Dr. Heather Young
Unexpected Lessons from Post-Grad?
The biggest lesson Sydney learned after grad school was the importance of flexibility and time management in a professional setting. You may be used to having set deadlines that you work towards during a semester, but in the real world, dates move quickly, so having the ability to adapt is essential.
Sydney came to the CoE in Fall 2022 during her first year in the MPH program. She worked as a Graduate Research Assistant with Jen Farnsworth and Maria Wallace. From the beginning, the experience felt affirming, and she knew that she would fit in well.
The role expanded her understanding of academic work beyond research, into student engagement, competencies, and intentional programming.
“This was geared to student body and aspects of our competencies…I felt it was super intentional work.”
What Drew You to MCH?
Sydney's MCH journey began in undergrad, where she worked on a research project that was looking at the intersection of body dysmorphia and C-section recovery. She knew from then on that she wanted to focus on working with women and children.
Her joining the MPH program only affirmed this interest and sharpened her focus further. Although her background was in epidemiology and she engaged with MCH-focused epidemiology courses, she also began leaning more into program evaluation and performing needs assessments for organizations.
She made it clear: “You'll never catch me in another topic. It’s going to be MCH until I die.”
Where are you currently working? The evolution of “Why MCH?”
Sydney currently works at Mamatoto Village as a Data Analyst. Post-graduation, her work at Mamatoto Village taught her how much more complex implementation is than classroom theory: “You do a lot of theorizing in class, but it's a lot different in application. And I think that's probably how I've evolved—the application process of catering to people.”
Her work now focuses on data, but with an approach to the social determinants of health that is holistic and action-driven.
“How do you genuinely... engage people in a program, engage people in their care to the point where we're seeing the results that we would want to see?”
Share a personal or professional win!
Sydney recently took a trip to Puerto Rico, and having the “adult money” made the trip more exciting! She will also be Dublin down on her travel adventures soon, as she has a trip on the books for Ireland.
Safe travels, Sydney! We hope you get to enjoy everything the world has to offer!
CoE Shoutouts!
Sydney gave a special thanks to all her mentors who showed genuine care for her and with whom she still maintains a connection today: Jerry Franz, Dr. Vyas, Dr. Henry, and Dr. Nagaraj, and of course, all the MCH Faculty!
Final Advice for Current Students
Sydney encourages students not to minimize their accomplishments:
“Clap for yourself, that is an achievement... Celebrate every win that you have... whether it’s getting an A on the test or finishing a semester or walking across the stage, or getting an interview for a job that you really want... whatever it is, celebrate all of your wins.”
And she wants to remind you that “Nobody can take your degree from you!” Don’t let the impostor syndrome steal your joy and hard work.