Her Story
About Evelyn
Evelyn Chavez is a Lead Case Manager at Serene Health in San Diego, California, where she works directly with vulnerable individuals and families to support housing stability, self-sufficiency, and access to essential community resources. Her responsibilities include comprehensive assessments, individualized housing planning, resource coordination, life-skills support, employment preparation, financial-literacy guidance, and collaboration with landlords and interdisciplinary service teams. She is especially proud of the impact she can see through her current case-management work and the way it contributes to the broader community.
Evelyn earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Health from the University of California San Diego in 2025, with a concentration in Epidemiology. Her professional experiences have spanned community outreach, STEM education, laboratory operations, customer service, and public safety, giving her exposure to both community-facing and technical environments. As a first-generation college graduate, she has navigated challenges while pursuing opportunities in STEM and public health. She also holds a Mental Health First Aid credential from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
Looking toward the future, Evelyn hopes to transition into public health research focused on HIV/AIDS and ultimately establish her own laboratory. She credits her progress to perseverance and the determination to continue moving forward regardless of the circumstances she has faced. She values honesty, humor, communication, and transparency, and encourages others—particularly young women—to build connections, attend professional events, seek guidance, and find communities of people who can relate to their experiences. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, walking or running, attending concerts, and spending time with friends.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Evelyn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance and continuing to move forward regardless of the cards I was dealt. There have been challenges along the way, but I have learned to keep going and continue pursuing my goals despite difficult circumstances. That persistence has helped me progress both academically and professionally.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to never give up and to keep doing what needs to be done regardless of how I feel. That mindset has reminded me that motivation can change from day to day, but continuing to take action and remain committed to my goals is what ultimately moves me forward.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering public health or related fields is to reach out, make connections, attend different events, and actively network. Building relationships can open doors and provide perspectives that you may not find on your own.
I also encourage people to seek guidance from their community and from individuals who can relate to their experiences. Finding people who understand your background and can provide relevant support and encouragement can make a meaningful difference as you navigate your career.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is finding opportunities without being expected to meet an excessive number of experience requirements immediately after graduating. It can be difficult to enter the field when positions ask for several years of experience for applicants who are just beginning their careers.
At the same time, I see an important opportunity in the diversity of people and backgrounds within public health and related fields. That diversity creates opportunities to connect with people who can help guide you in the right direction and ultimately support your long-term goals, including my own goal of pursuing public health research focused on HIV/AIDS and laboratory work.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are honesty, humor, communication, and transparency. I believe these qualities are important for building trust, maintaining strong relationships, communicating effectively, and creating an environment where people feel comfortable being open and authentic.
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