February 13, 2026

By Catherine Turner, 2nd year MPH Student, Community Health & Prevention, and MCH Trainee

This month, the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Center of Excellence at the Dornsife School of Public Health (DSPH), in conjunction with the Drexel Maternal and Child Health Student Organization (MCHSO), hosted its 12th annual MCH Career Networking Event.

This event provides current Drexel students the opportunity to directly connect with MCH professionals and learn about the different opportunities and career paths in the world of MCH. These MCH professionals ranged from academic faculty to former MCH trainees to health department professionals.

The event was held virtually to allow more students and professionals to attend, including those in the Online MCH Certificate program, while also fostering closer connections through breakout rooms designed for the students’ professional interests.

Emily Flanders is a 2nd-year MPH student in the Community Health program and is a current MCH trainee who attended the Career Networking Event. “What stood out most to me was the small group format, which created space for meaningful conversations and open discussions about professionals’ education, career journeys, and the impact of their work in maternal and child health,” said Flanders when discussing what was most impactful for her as an attendee.

During the Career Networking Event, 25 students had the opportunity to connect with 15 MCH professionals from 10 different organizations. The event allowed students to network with these MCH professionals and learn about the different educational and career paths that MCH has to offer. Emily Flanders said that “Attending the MCH career event gave me the opportunity to connect with public health professionals across a range of roles and gain a deeper understanding of the diverse career paths within maternal and child health.”

“Try to network as much as possible—attend events like community baby showers, conferences, etc. Don't be afraid to make connections and put yourself out there because it's a great way to learn about employment opportunities,” said one professional.