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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is the OP and yes, I couldn't have said it better myself! I care very much about domestic MCH issues and certainly agree there is a great need. But I also care deeply about education reform, animal welfare, and the environment -- you can't focus your career on every issue you feel is meaningful and in need of attention. As PP said, having spent time in a certain place and having met women or children there, sometimes you just feel a connection and want to focus your career working on such an area/issue. Plus the types of MCH issues affecting Africa are different in a lot of ways than those in the US, and the specifics of MCH issues in Africa are just very compelling to me. If you're really interested in addressing malaria and children, e.g., you can't do that for a US-based population. Or special MCH issues in post-conflict countries like Congo as PP mentioned, etc.

[Anonymous]

Is it possible to make six figures in public health in a non-management position?

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP that provided most of the advice in this thread. Yes, you can make 6 figures in international public health. You need to have several years of experience and a speciality (management, technical area, monitoring and evaluation, etc).

[Anonymous]

If you're older and coming from law, it might be worth checking out the gates foundation. You def would not be on the ground or anything but obviously an amazing place. You could be a business officer or program manager. V hard to get into but hustle in that direction. PATH also crosses my mind. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP, you could also check out DevNetJobs.org and possibly Idealist. If you know anyone who works at USAID or in the field already, you should get a list of who the major contractors are in the public health arena as there are a lot of groups in the beltway that basically subsist off of administering major grants for USAID in other countries (sorry I can't be more helpful on names, I work in international development but in environment not health).

'm confused though about whether you are in the process of going back to school for your MPH, or if you have already completed the MPH degree. I sort of hope that you haven't finished your degree as these are questions that professors, fellow students, and career development staff can assist you with as well. If you are still beginning your program, I'm assuming your program will have an internship component or other opportunities to do a practicum. If there's no formal requirement, looking into doing one anyway. That experience and potential connections will be invaluable. Try to look for longer opportunities (at least 3-4 months at the same organization, or longer if you can manage since this tends gives you time to get settled in and actually contribute).

Getting the right balance of DC based with international work is tricky. I went back to school to transition into my field and coming out I had work experience that did not "count" and absolutely no experience working overseas. When I graduated I took a paid internship to get my foot in a door (and some freelance writing and editing for a professor to help make ends meet). They ended up hiring me despite my lack of field experience, because they felt it was something I would be able to handle. I did bust my butt to learn about the country I started working in, but they also recognized that I had the substantive expertise required to do the job and was smart enough to figure out the rest. It helped that I spoke a language they needed. It's worked out well and I've built great relationships with the partners that I work with overseas despite not having the perfect Peace Corps resume. I've noticed that a lot of people in international development, health, environment, etc get a little snobby about field experience and how many countries they've traveled to. Try to ignore this and focus on playing up your other skills and your life experience.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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!

+1
OP is totally into helping others for as long as it is also convenient, meaningful, deals with very specific issues, populations etc. the rest is not good enough for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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!

+1
OP is totally into helping others for as long as it is also convenient, meaningful, deals with very specific issues, populations etc. the rest is not good enough for her.

Why this hostility toward the OP? She wants to work in the public interest, helping other countries, and still be a mom to her child. Is that such a horrible thing? Would you rather that women who want some work/life balance to be out there doing work that detracts from the public interest? Isn't it better to do as much as you can do, given your life, rather than nothing just b/c you can't work until 2 a.m.? Good lord.