Team

Who we are.  

The Ellie Block and Family Career Services Center at the Friedman School is committed to helping our students and graduates leverage their outstanding education to find impactful and fulfilling careers. Our career coaches leverage their many years of experience, career development training and practice, and industry and employer insights, to assist students and alumni. 

What we do. 

We provide holistic career education, planning, and job search support to engage students at each stage of their education, from incoming student to alumni. We empower students to leverage their educational experience and career ambitions and translate these into meaningful and impactful work over the course of their lifetimes. 

How we do it.

The Ellie Block and Family Career Services team achieves its mission by helping students and alumni:

  • Explore their interests, values, and experiences and consider how to connect these to the world of work;
  • Develop and hone key career and job development skills such as building relationships; creating a resume, cover letter, and professional online profile; practicing interviewing strategies and salary negotiation techniques; and 
  • Cultivate jobs, internships, and other professional opportunities through relationship development with employers and creating immersive events to facilitate student and employer connections. 

Friedman School alumni work in government and non-governmental agencies, as well as private organizations in the United States and throughout the world. Their work significantly impacts nutrition, food security, and sustainability, as well as health, wellness, environment, education, public policy, and other key sectors. It is our pleasure to be a resource and partner for students and alumni as their career develops at the Friedman School.

Lori Rodriguez, EdM

Associate Director of Career Services

Pronouns: she/her/hers

I have been at the Friedman School since 2003 and spent the first five years working as part of a research team on two studies. One was a longitudinal study that evaluated a wide range of health behaviors and outcomes among Tufts undergraduate students. Another focused on elementary school children in after school programs with the goal of improving eating habits and increasing physical activity levels. I then transitioned to the Office of Student Affairs (the result of an informational interview!) and quickly realized how much I enjoyed helping students grow professionally.

As part of the Block Career Services Center team, my goal is to ensure that students have the support that they need as they explore their areas of interest and become better prepared for the job market. My work involves guiding and coaching students as they seek internships and jobs, providing skill building and networking opportunities through workshops and events, and developing relationships with employers and partners.

I have my Ed.M. from Boston University in Policy, Planning, and Administration with a specialization in Higher Education Administration. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two children, traveling, music, and baking yummy treats.

Food Fun Fact

I am allergic to cantaloupe, despise blackberries, and, if only allowed to have one food if stranded on a deserted island, it would be vanilla soft serve ice cream. Also, I am originally from Buffalo, New York, the famed birthplace of Buffalo wings and home of the Beef on Weck sandwich. It’s worth the trip (if you are vegan, I likely haven’t convinced you)!