Career Coaching

We offer Career Coaching appointments year-round for graduate students with a range of professional career coaches who specialize in different areas. Our coaches are very experienced with graduate education and can offer guidance on topics such as:

• Navigating general questions about graduate school
• Assessing your strengths, interests, and values
• Work-life balance
• Practicing strategies for networking (in-person and online)
• Learning about diverse career paths
• Assembling documents (i.e. resume, cover letter) for job applications
• Interviewing strategies
• The impact of Coronavirus on professional planning

We invite all graduate students to make appointments with our career coaches at any time. To make an appointment, please complete a Career Coaching Interest Form and a member of our team will reach out to set up an appointment.

Click here for our career coaching interest form. 

Meet Our Career Coaches

Dr. Ariela Freedman is a proud Laney graduate, having earned her PhD in Behavioral Sciences and Health Education in 2011. She served on faculty at Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health for several years before starting her business, MavenTree Consulting. Dr. Freedman has an MPH and an MA in Teaching and is a certified coach in CliftonStrengths, Positive Discipline, and the Enneagram. 

Dr. Freedman has always been an educator at heart. She is an experienced trainer and coach with over 20 years of experience in education and public health, including CDC, state and local public health departments, Head Start, camps and afterschool programs, nonprofits, and public schools. She also works with corporate clients and health care professionals, with a specific focus on empowering women. Her educator’s toolbox includes strategies from public health, education, business, and the arts, resulting in interactive workshops that are skill-focused and fun, even when taught online. 

In addition to her consulting work, Ariela sings and records music with her synagogue chorus and teaches art workshops in her home art studio. 

 

  

Helen Klepac is a Career Coach whose approach to coaching is holistic, solution-focused, and strength-based. 

Helen is certified as a Global Career Development Facilitator as well as an integrative Wellness Life Coach. 

As a senior administrator, Helen gained valuable experience in helping students to achieve their goals. Helen holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Development and an Education Specialist degree in Career Counseling from George Washington University. 

Ronald E. Hunter, Jr. earned his PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Emory University’s Laney Graduate School. He currently serves as Medical Advisor, Southeast for Moderna, helping healthcare professionals apply the latest mRNA science to patient care through education and collaboration. His diverse career spans government, industry, and academia, including leadership roles at the FDA, CDC, The Coca-Cola Company, and a global food safety firm.

Hunter is an educator and mentor at heart, with more than 15 years of experience simplifying complex science for a wide range of audiences. He has led trainings for public health leaders, researchers, and corporate teams, always focused on making science accessible, actionable, and inclusive.

A recognized leader and advocate, Dr. Hunter was named Emory University’s 2024 LGBTQ+ Alum of the Year and received their 40 Under Forty Award. He serves on advisory boards and committees for Emory, the American Chemical Society, and SACNAS, championing diversity in STEM fields.

Beyond his professional life, Ron is a passionate salsa dancer, writer, and podcast host who believes in the power of storytelling to build bridges and drive change.