a question MPH graduates and others

[kauldron26]

---

Members don't see this ad.

outside of an MD, what is the best degree to combine with an MPH to be very marketable? im thinking about getting my mba, but i am uncertain. i also read that getting a JD opens more doors as well. For the MPH graduates, in your current job/position now, what are your limits (salary cap/occupation) and what do you think could assist you in getting past them?

 

[Stories]

That's a really hard question to answer because it is not a simple answer.

An additional degree opens up doors to jobs which require that degree you are getting (legal jobs for a JD, medical jobs for a MD, etc.). MBA is useful if you're in some sort of management or leadership position. Simply having these degrees doesn't get you a job handed to you on a silver platter (unless you're a Harvard or Yale law grad, for instance).

Just adding one of those degrees to someone who is working as an epidemiologist wouldn't necessarily be all that helpful if that's the career you chose.

There's one thing that gets you to move up in your career trajectory: experience. That's something you can't just go to school and get. To move to a completely new level, that requires two things: ambition and luck.

 

[Deem23]

I agree with what Stories said.

It really depends on what you want to do with the MPH. Microbial diseases or eop might not match up well with a JD or an MBA but I am applying mostly to either community/behavioral/social health sciences and Health Policy and Management programs so a JD (which I am considering after an MPH) could probably open up quite a few jobs out there for me.

 

[6SAnthony]

Considering what you want to do is important. I'm interested in epidemiology and representations of illness across cultures, so a PhD in medical anthropology is ideal. Figuring out what you want to do with life is always the most difficult, but once you identify what you want to do it becomes easier to make the decisions about what degrees will get you there.

 

[MPHNut]

I wouldnt think of it so much as which degree opens more doors, I would try to figure out which doors I want to open.

For example, I would not get a JD just for the hell of it. Don't get a JD unless you want to be a lawyer. From what I've heard, thats pretty much only reason for it and only way to pay for it.

 

[FeedMeSushi]

I wouldnt think of it so much as which degree opens more doors, I would try to figure out which doors I want to open.

+1 👍

 

[kauldron26]

i really want my job to involve travelling. I want to work in health promotion and health administration. i will have my MPH next year, and im hoping to get my mba in 2012. im hoping the combination of both degrees would improve my skills and knowledge on an international scale.

how does get into the international arena. After doing some research ive learned that there are jobs in the US that send you to different places/countries to assist in solving problems or consult. Is this field called consulting? Is there anyone on this forum with an MPH whose job involves travelling?

 

[kam77]

i really want my job to involve travelling. I want to work in health promotion and health administration. i will have my MPH next year, and im hoping to get my mba in 2012. im hoping the combination of both degrees would improve my skills and knowledge on an international scale.

how does get into the international arena. After doing some research ive learned that there are jobs in the US that send you to different places/countries to assist in solving problems or consult. Is this field called consulting? Is there anyone on this forum with an MPH whose job involves travelling?

Well, this may not be much, but if you are a U.S. citizen (or intend to become one in the near future), you might find the following links of interest:

http://www.state.gov/p/io/rls/iva/2010/135871.htm

http://www.state.gov/p/io/rls/iva/112404.htm

http://www.state.gov/p/io/empl/

Overall, I think the trick before undertaking any dual degree program is to have an idea about your post-graduation career objectives. Like the above posters, i think it is advisable, if not critical that you know which doors you want to open.

***In the interest of full disclosure, I'm a prospective JD/MPH student. I'm going this route because I have a very strong interest in global health laws/regulations/policies. That being said, i wish you the best of luck!

 

[kauldron26]

Thanks alot man, i truly appreciate the links. how is the jd/mph combo? id love to hear about ur experience.

How does the work compliment each other?
Do you work full time?
How's the financial burden?
Can you do what you want without the JD?

If your not comfortable discussing this on the forum, i'd appreciate it if you could PM me.