What kind of job can I expect with an MPH (from a top school, if that matters?)

[Anonymous]

Just start networking. You don't necessarily need an MPH. The work travel in this field is a massive pain-- trips are usually long given distances. If your husband does not have flexibility, or also travels, it could be difficult.

[Anonymous]

Or the work travel is a joy and is one of the reasons most of us choose this profession.

[Anonymous]

If you aren't in school I recommend that you instead try using your law degree to get a job at a public health agency (FDA, NIH, CDC, etc).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you aren't in school I recommend that you instead try using your law degree to get a job at a public health agency (FDA, NIH, CDC, etc).

Thanks -- I don't really want to do policy though. Would I still find the type of work I'm looking for at those agencies? I also don't want to do US public health so I would think some of those (FDA) would not work, right? I'd like to do more project management/programming and I want to focus on international public health (specifically MCH.)

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP who used to work for FHI and am still very involved in this field. The other PP that advised you to look at FDA, CDC or NIH as no idea what they are talking about. CDC has some global health positions but they tend to be very research oriented or clinically oriented. FDA and NIH have no global health positions. If you're interested in government positions, USAID is probably your only choice.

I'm still concerned that you are not realistic about your prospects. Are you financially very stable? Public health schools are expensive and entry-mid level jobs don't pay well. Even with your law degree and experience, I don't see you making more than $50,000 (at the high end) coming out of MPH school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the PP who used to work for FHI and am still very involved in this field. The other PP that advised you to look at FDA, CDC or NIH as no idea what they are talking about. CDC has some global health positions but they tend to be very research oriented or clinically oriented. FDA and NIH have no global health positions. If you're interested in government positions, USAID is probably your only choice.

I'm still concerned that you are not realistic about your prospects. Are you financially very stable? Public health schools are expensive and entry-mid level jobs don't pay well. Even with your law degree and experience, I don't see you making more than $50,000 (at the high end) coming out of MPH school.

Thanks - Yes, that is what I thought re the PP's recommendations. I was pretty sure USAID was the only fed government option (and does require an MPH, plus many years of experience based on the job descriptions I've seen.) The others are policy/domestic focused, both of which I'm not interested in.

Yes, we are financially stable and I am very aware that I will not be making a lot of money in a public health career. I'm not going into the career for the money. I know I will not make anywhere near what I made as an attorney. I am honestly fine if my law degree/past experience do not "count" for anything when I go to find a new job after school -- I am pretty much anticipating that I will be on the same level as a recent MPH grad with no previous experience, and I'm OK with that. This is a career change for me and I'm expecting to have to start from the bottom as I don't have any health-related experience.

That said, do you think it's feasible to find ANY kind of reasonably interesting, public health job in DC that focuses on MCH and is not a TON of hours (right out of school I mean)? I don't mind working hard, just don't want to go back to a biglaw-type lifestyle (working til 2am) as I mentioned in my previous post.

[Anonymous]

Thanks your honesty.

Yes, I do think it is possible for you to find MCH work. It might not be the MOST interesting work at first, and you'll likely be surrounded by people in their 20s, but you will still learn a ton and won't necessarily have to do the crazy hours. Like I mentioned previously, different organizations/companies have different cultures regarding work/life balance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks your honesty.

Yes, I do think it is possible for you to find MCH work. It might not be the MOST interesting work at first, and you'll likely be surrounded by people in their 20s, but you will still learn a ton and won't necessarily have to do the crazy hours. Like I mentioned previously, different organizations/companies have different cultures regarding work/life balance.

Ok, phew! I'm glad you think this is an attainable goal. I am definitely going to focus on networking a ton at school. I'm also open to a job elsewhere in the US besides DC, if something like that were to work out.

I will try to fit in with those 20 somethings! I am only 30, so not THAT much older than them, and one of them actually asked me if I was still in undergrad when I went to admitted student day - wahoo!

Thanks much for your advice.

[Anonymous]

You could get a job at a biotech/pharmaceutical company with an MPH. They'll pay you around $55-60k starting out.

[Anonymous]

Going back to school with a child is much, much harder than going to school without a child. But I am sure you are aware of that issue. Is there any way to accomplish what you want to accomplish without the degree?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Going back to school with a child is much, much harder than going to school without a child. But I am sure you are aware of that issue. Is there any way to accomplish what you want to accomplish without the degree?

I know...it's not going to be easy. I have tried finding a job without the degree to no avail.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm just curious. You want to do MCH -- but only overseas. Why? Wouldn't you agree that there is a need for this in the U.S. as well, especiallyin poorer communities (both rural and urban). I guess I've never really understood why some people have such a deep interest in helping folks abroad but absolutely no interest in tackling some of the same issues here at home. Whatever your reasons, I wish you luck with the career change.

[Anonymous]

Ugh, you sound like my MIL. First, just because someone chooses to dedicate her professional life to global health issues does not mean she does not care nor do anything about domestic issues. Secondly, as flawed as it may be we have an incredible safety net in this country that does not exist in the developing world. Come back to me when you have spoken with Congolese girls that have been gang raped by men 3x their age, when you've seen babies starving to death (in multiple countries) or seen the results of protracted unattended labor in women who've been circumcised. Then you'll know suffering and then we'll talk.

[Anonymous]

Nice to know you can solve all those things from a DC-based job with predictable, moderate hours and some travel but not so much that it interferes with your family life. And I assume that some of that good work is funded with U.S. government aid dollars -- in other words money raised domestically. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Come on, why the negativity? Nobody is pretending to solve those problems from DC but after living in these countries for several years we then provide support to dedicated host country nationals that are solving those problems in their own country. And yes, most of this work is funded by USG. Gotta problem with it? We spend less than one half of 1 percent of our GDP on foreign aid. A smaller percentage than most "developed" countries. Why so bitter?