Epi--No Two Ways About It?

[152364]

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Hey folks,
Is getting an MPH with a concentration in epidemiology the only way to become an epidemiologist, or are there transferrable skills in other concentrations--let's say, social and behavioral health, that would allow one to still do research as an epidemiologist? The reason why I ask is because I am currently on the fence as to which route I want to go. Ideally, I would be able to combine both curriculums and then as a career, be an epidemiologist who focuses on mental disorders, but that is not the case--I have to pick one. Since I find the behavioral sciences more interesting, I'm leaning more towards that concentration; the only thing is, it seems epidemiologists are in more demand than those with the behavioral science concentration. I defintely don't want my degree to be useless. Any comments or suggestions?

 

[HrvatskiDoktor]

You could look into programs that offer interdisc. concentrations. For example, my passion is Women and Children so I applied to the MPH in Maternal and Child Health with a concentration in Epidemiology at the Uof Minnesota and the Epidemiology with a concentration in Women's Health at U of Michigan. After accepted at both, I met with people from both schools, explained my passions and decided that the MCH/Epi was a better fit for me.

I know at Minnesota they have 2 types of Epidemiologists, Social/Behavioral and more Clinical. Which ever schools you are thinking about, start researching the faculty and see if any of them have similar research interests and contact them about it. It also may benefit you to think about the PhD route.

While it is easier to find a job as an Epi, you need to find a career that you really want, not just something to make money.

 

[Jack Daniel]

I was trained in the social/behavioral aspect of public health, but worked as an epidemiologist. However, I had to demonstrate that I had the skills needed to do the epi job--and I never felt as strong in my SAS skills as the epi trained people. In addition to the few required epi courses, I took epi courses for my electives, so I had some exposure.

In my experience, most epi jobs are going to expect competence with SAS or database management and, if you're at all technically inclined, I think the training isn't hard to get during school even if you're not in a straight epidemiology program. So I think the above suggestion of finding an interdisciplinary program is a good idea.

 

[152364]

Man! The problem with me switching to a different program is that I am currently enrolled in a program. This is my first semester. What's a gal to do...

 

[HrvatskiDoktor]

Man! The problem with me switching to a different program is that I am currently enrolled in a program. This is my first semester. What's a gal to do...

So you're already in an MPH program? Then just meet with your academic advisory and talk to him/her about your desire to do social/behavior Epi and I'm sure that you'll get pointed in the right direction asap.

 

[152364]

So you're already in an MPH program? Then just meet with your academic advisory and talk to him/her about your desire to do social/behavior Epi and I'm sure that you'll get pointed in the right direction asap.

Thanks. Yeah, I actually spoke with my advisor a few days ago, and my only option is to do either epi or social/behavioral. However, I can use my elective credits to take additional epi courses as long as they are approved. Hopefully, those additional epi classes would be enough if I were to to look for a job in epidemiology.

 

[HrvatskiDoktor]

Thanks. Yeah, I actually spoke with my advisor a few days ago, and my only option is to do either epi or social/behavioral. However, I can use my elective credits to take additional epi courses as long as they are approved. Hopefully, those additional epi classes would be enough if I were to to look for a job in epidemiology.

Also make sure that your Plan B (or thesis or project, what ever they call it in your department) is a research project, or secondary data analysis or very EPI strong and you should be fine.

 

[Jack Daniel]

Thanks. Yeah, I actually spoke with my advisor a few days ago, and my only option is to do either epi or social/behavioral. However, I can use my elective credits to take additional epi courses as long as they are approved. Hopefully, those additional epi classes would be enough if I were to to look for a job in epidemiology.

Those additional classes worked for me. Good luck on your path.

Also, I recomend not shying away from the SAS courses. The more technical expertise you have, the more valuable employee you'll be.

 

[152364]

Yaay! I feel a lot better now about sticking with what I am in right now. Thanks!