Dr. Abby Lukens (she/her/hers)
Director of Career Services
(504) 988-7121
alukens@tulane.edu
Mental Health First Aid Certified
Abby works with graduate public health students to offer career advising, instructional workshops, and employer information sessions. She facilitates the SPHTM Alumni Mentoring Program and the annual Graduate Outcome data collection and analysis. She is open to having difficult conversations with students around the unique transition from school to work and identity as it relates to career decisions. She is a graduate of Rhodes College and the University of New Orleans. Research interests include the relationship between gender roles and career planning in the transition out of college.
Career Advisor for:
- MPH (Epidemiology, International Health and Sustainable Development, Health Systems Management, Health Policy)
- MHA
- MSPH (Biostatistics)
- MS (Epidemiology, Clinical Investigation, Biostatistics, Tropical Medicine)
- MPHTM
Best Career Advice: Negotiate salary upon receiving a job offer but before accepting a position. In the U.S., there are staggering disparities in pay for women, and even deeper disparities for Black, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic, and Multiracial workers Pay disparities additionally exist for LGBTQ+ workers. Do your salary research and know your worth when it comes time to negotiate. While this can seem scary, negotiating for a small amount now will have long-term effects on your income across the span of your life. See The Simple Truth About the Gender Pay Gap and The Wage Gap Among LGBTQ+ Workers in the United States
Favorite NOLA Restaurant: Blue Oak BBQ
John Nonnamaker, PhD (he/him/his)
Career Advisor
(504) 988-9872
jnonnama@tulane.edu
Mental Health First Aid Certified
John works with graduate public health students and alumni with a particular focus on masters and doctoral students. John received his bachelors and masters degrees from Michigan State University and his PhD from Fordham University. As someone who has completed the doctoral journey, John has a particular interest in assisting doctoral students in navigating their career development and the many career paths that are open to them. John serves on several school wide committees, including the Outreach to Special Student Populations Committee.
Career Advisor for:
- DRPH
- PHD (All concentrations)
- MPH (Community Health Sciences, Disaster Management, Occupational and Environmental Health)
- MSPH (Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Health Sciences)
- Alumni (2+ Years Post Degree)
Best Career Advice: Network, Network, Network. One of the best ways to assess the culture of a potential employer is to speak with alums who are working there. Is this an environment in which you will thrive, contribute, and feel valued? You can gain deeper insight into the core values of an organization, such as their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. You will also learn about career paths and opportunities for advancement within an organization.
Favorite NOLA Restaurant(s): N7 and Vincents
Darrington Anderson, M.Ed.
Career Advisor
(504) 988-2632
danderson6@tulane.edu
Mental Health First Aid Certified
Darrington works with both undergraduate and graduate public health students to offer career advising, instructional workshops, and employer information sessions. He is a graduate of Nicholls State University and the University of New Orleans. A higher education setting is something Darrington enjoys, from working with like-minded individuals, encouraging and supporting students, to being involved in work centered around diversity, inclusion, equity, and student life and activities.
Career Advisor for:
- BSPH
- MPH (Health Education and Communication, Maternal and Child Health, Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences)
- MSPH (Nutrition)
Best Career Advice: Become more familiar with yourself and your inner voice, search for what it is that you as an individual would like to do as a career for the next possible 20 to 30 years. Focus on your natural abilities and interests and see which careers may line up with them. Working is something most of the world must do, but having a career where you are enjoying what you do is a way to have a more fulfilling and enjoyable work life. It can be eye opening to see the options that are available based on our abilities, passion, and interests.
Favorite NOLA Restaurant: Do not currently have one, but the city of New Orleans has many hidden jewels that you can discover on any given adventure.
