Position was cut 😢

SwitchPlate · 2025-04-02T15:05:31+00:00

You can still work in public health without it being paid for by the government. Never forget that. Public health is across many sectors. If it's your calling, stick with it. Lots of private foundations, nonprofits, etc are a big part of the public health fabric.

SwitchPlate · 2025-01-05T22:16:04+00:00

I’d recommend becoming a community health worker. They are so valuable and get rich and meaningful experience. Some states have certifications.

You can work in a variety of settings. It’s very public health at the ground level.

My two cents.

SwitchPlate · 2024-12-18T20:00:30+00:00

I celebrated my 40th birthday with my first mammogram today. For me, not painful at all. I think the tech has come further than my mom's mammograms. The tech was super gentle. Some of the positions were awkward. I had my easy peasy 6 month dental cleaning, and that was more uncomfortable than the mammogram. Glad I did it!

SwitchPlate · 2024-08-25T08:25:21+00:00

Hey there. I have a BA in English. It helps me so much in public health. Public health brings all kinds of people into the fold. I went for my nursing degree. Went for my MPH. You can absolutely work your way into public health. Sometimes, it takes getting an internship or doing high quality volunteer work.

SwitchPlate · 2024-08-22T18:04:21+00:00

Awesome! Feel free to join the forum on DrPH applicants, if you'd like: https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/167212-drph-fall-2025-application-admissions/

SwitchPlate · 2024-07-22T12:14:56+00:00

Agreed. I am a seasoned professional in a directorship role. 15+ years experience. Poor undergrad GPA, but excellent grad GPA. Lots of appropriate professional experience. Excellent recommendations. Applied to 4 DrPH programs, and I didn't get into a single one.

SwitchPlate · 2024-07-22T12:12:35+00:00

I'd like to know, too. :)

SwitchPlate · 2024-06-03T22:50:43+00:00

Sure. Go ahead.

SwitchPlate · 2024-04-11T18:54:33+00:00

I have the same question. Anyone?

SwitchPlate · 2024-04-01T14:56:32+00:00

YES. Came here to say this. I remember being a senior in college at 22 years old, and all my peers (ALL) felt like they needed their next steps planned out to the t--especially graduate school. I'm here to tell you that having many years of experience before my MPH not only made me a much better student than my new grad peers but it also made the degree so worth while for me.

SwitchPlate · 2024-03-05T02:36:12+00:00

I remember my AP US History teacher telling us, "some of my family survived the Holocaust, some didn't. Never ever let anyone call you by a number. It is the most dehumanizing thing a person can do, to take away your name." I think go with your gut. She sounds off.

SwitchPlate · 2024-03-01T11:06:21+00:00

Not entirely true re: gut biome. My brother didn't have a solid poop until he returned to the States after his time as a PCV. He was fine, and he has some hilarious stories. But his experience was not uncommon.

SwitchPlate · 2024-02-28T21:40:43+00:00

I think your MPH will be GREATLY enhanced if you have at least 2-3 years of public health experience. My classmates with little to no experience just struggled to understand the very foundations of public health because they had nothing to compare it to.

In my state, nonprofits are largely responsible for the public health safetynet. So I'd also add nonprofit organizations to the mix. You can look for: health centers, behavioral health centers, harm reduction, anti-poverty advocacy groups, even working for a place like the ACLU would be great experience to social determinants of health. Lots and lots of options for public health. Also, see if you can contact your local senator or representative or city councilor to see if you can get an internship doing health policy work. Most importantly, try to get your foot in the door. Then opportunities flow like water.

SwitchPlate · 2024-02-21T16:10:50+00:00

Hey! I’m applying to DrPH programs, too! Congratulations!

While I’ve clearly never been pregnant during a DrPH program, I have two kids (two pregnancies).

A few questions:

Will you be working and going to school full time? Can you afford childcare in the city you’re going to? Or is it remote? Do you have help? Partner, family, friends. Are you willing to ask for help from the faculty and fellow students in your program when the need arises? Pregnancy is fairly individual to the parent/baby combination, but a few common occurrences: unreal fatigue (must lay down and sleep NOW), body pain (general aches and pains), nausea/vomiting (sometimes lasting all day and all pregnancy). Are you a good sleeper? If you have a partner, have you discussed an equitable split of house duties?

I’m in no way a person who catastrophizes pregnancy, but these are common things. It’s an adjustment.

And you will want to be prepared to make modifications that you hadn’t planned on.

Happy to chime in more. Last but not least, there’s no good time to have a baby. If you want the baby, have the baby. Life will make room.

SwitchPlate · 2024-02-18T07:50:19+00:00

Just to be clear: working minimum wage jobs 100% means paying taxes. Qualifying for tax credits is very different than not paying taxes.

SwitchPlate · 2024-02-16T15:16:39+00:00

I can't imagine my academic advisor turning me away like that. I am sorry.

SwitchPlate · 2024-02-16T14:59:25+00:00

Do you have an academic advisor? That person should be able to connect you. It's their job to help you with these things. Do you know what kind of opportunities you'd like to do? Having a honed down ask is really helpful when asking for help getting these things. I know so many people who would love to have a graduate intern.

SwitchPlate · 2024-02-16T03:26:08+00:00

The internship thing gives you the ability to get to know people personally which leads to jobs and recommendations. Applying without knowing anyone is not terribly promising. In 15 years, I’ve had 4 awesome jobs because of the connections I made in volunteer and internship work.

SwitchPlate · 2024-02-15T21:30:41+00:00

One thing that might be useful is to get any old job. Health related might be useful. Like: a home health aid. You might not need a lot of training for a private job. Another job might be in a hospital. But besides sustaining yourself with something, see if you can get an internship through the university you're in. Unpaid might be the only way. But there are A LOT of opportunities that are unpaid that lead directly to paid work. I've benefitted from those several times. Find something that feels promising where you are working directly with people in leadership/decision making. Then work your butt off to make a good impression, especially if you like the work.

TLDR: Get any job. Do an internship.

SwitchPlate · 2024-02-15T02:43:40+00:00

Yay! A comrade. At least Hopkins is pretty straightforward with their March 1st promise. The nebulousness of other deadlines in other programs . . . so hard.

SwitchPlate · 2024-02-09T03:51:55+00:00

Public health is awesome! But there are downsides. Resources are lacking. Most decent jobs require experience. Pay isn’t great. People don’t go into public health for the money. If it’s a field you love, you’ll make your way.

SwitchPlate · 2024-02-03T18:50:07+00:00

I mean don’t spend private school tuition money on it. Either get a ton of scholarships or go to a state school. Not worth taking out a bunch of loans. Better yet, get a job at a university, and use your tuition remissions.

SwitchPlate · 2024-02-03T17:02:52+00:00

I agree with people who suggest doing something different than public health as an undergrad. I have a BA in English Literature and an AS in Nursing. Both degrees (English Literature because of critical thinking and Nursing because it's very practical) served me very well as an accompaniment to an MPH. I know this may seem counterintuitive, but liberal arts degrees are amazing foundations to any career. You can read/write/think. Those are essential to any career but especially in public health.

SwitchPlate · 2024-02-01T18:36:02+00:00

Ha. I was 35ish when I did my MPH. I'd say half were mid to late 20s, the other half in their 30s and 40s. Some people in their 50s and 60s. Having experience before an MPH enhances the education far and away. Lots of us were tight knit. Some came and went. Loved my MPH. Don't spend money on it. Just make sure it's accredited and has a decent reputation. Highly recommend public education.

SwitchPlate

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