going from academia to government

[ratonlaveur]

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So basically I finished my Master's in epi last year and am current working as a research associate in academia.. but I'd like to move from academia into more of a public health practice setting - like doing epi surveillance for a local or state health agency. Has anyone done this before? Nearly all of my background (7-8 years of work experience) is in research, so I wasn't sure about my chances if I just straight out sent resumes to job postings. The other thing is if it would be worth returning to school to get a PhD if I still want to pursue working for a health agency.

 

[Stories]

The question is a bit broad so it's hard to make a recommendation based on pure speculation, but focus more on the skills themselves that are transferable between the specific jobs and tailor your resume to fit the jobs. That should help you land a government job if you so please. You won't be a perfect fit unless you have other government-ready skills, but some will value the critical thinking skills required in an academic job.

As for getting a PhD, it's job specific, but unless you really need one, it won't give you direct skills to move up in a government position (unless it's a research-based position like ones at NIH). Some of the skills ARE transferable, which is why you see most director-level positions filled by people with PhDs, but they end up there after years of research and are recruited into those positions and less so because of extensive experience from classroom brought into the government.

 

[thereal19]

I spent a year working at the local health department doing HIV surveillance. I am finishing up my MPH now. A PhD is definitely not necessary for working down here at the local/state level...most people just have a MPH, which you have on top of work experience so you should be fine. Feel free to message me with any questions you may have.