Industry Friendly

[healthypassion]

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Hello everyone,
I am interested in going in the pharmaceutical industry after my MPH. I am looking into masters programs which emphasize health economics, effectiveness and outcomes research, epidemiology or biostats. Does anyone know which schools are eager to support students with industry oriented career goals? I get the feeling that some schools are very public health focused. By this I mean that they tend towards non profits and government. Thanks for the help.

 

[ms newyear]

Nice to see another person with similar interests as mine! I am also looking to work in the pharmaceutical industry with my MPH. When I was looking for a school that fit my needs, I couldn't find very many and when I talked to someone who had just recently finished her MPH at a top school, my fears were confirmed: some PH schools do not look favorably at the for-profit industry.

I ended up only applying to Boston University's program because they offer the PAMP (Pharmaceutical Assessment, Management and Policy) certification. On the PAMP route, students take classes like Design of Clinical Trials, Health Economics, etc. in addition to attending a weekly forum where students discuss issues that affect the pharmaceutical industry. Boston is also a hub of drug companies, CMOs, and hospitals, allowing opportunities for those who want to get their foot in the door.

Find out more here: http://sph.bu.edu/Degree-Programs-and-ConcentrationsSub-Pages/pamp-pharmaceutical-assessment-management-and-policy/menu-id-617118.html

BU doesn't seem to be too popular around this forum, but I truly believe that it is a wonderful fit for me and maybe you also. I am excited to be starting this fall.

Another program of note is Yale's. They offer some sort of Regulatory Affairs track if I remember correctly.

If you rather cast a wider net for selection of schools, think about if you would like to work for the FDA and incorporate that into your application.

 

[healthypassion]

I have also been looking into BU and Yale. What do you think of Columbia? They have an interesting program in Effectiveness and Outcomes Research. And what about Johns Hopkins. They have a masters in bio regulatory affairs and pharmaceutical economics and policy. These are not through bloomberg though.

 

[healthypassion]

also what programs both here and internationally are looked upon favorably by industry. What are the top programs that industry pulls from in health services research, economics, outcomes and policy?

 

[ms newyear]

I'll try my best to answer your questions, but I am no expert!

Industry really values experience. How can you gain experience? Start at the bottom. I only have the job I have now is because of my unpaid internship at a huge pharmaceutical company. Since I want to build more experience while I am in school, I had to take the PH school's location into major consideration. When you narrow down your schools I would suggest looking what companies are in the area and see what opportunities are offered. Think about what companies you would like to work for and which offer applicable jobs/internships.

Health Outcomes sounds very interesting to me, but it is very niche. Do a job search and see. There are many roles within the pharmaceutical industry and I am unsure of where I will be (definitely management/director though), so a program that emphasizes one facet (like Regulatory Affairs) wouldn't fit me. I like the MPH because it is broad and I can see it as very marketable to employers.

I do not know what school are favored by industry....but I really think that experience and how you market yourself is more important.

 

[fangshopper]

...I get the feeling that some schools are very public health focused.

Maybe you should be looking at non-MPH programs, also.

The University of Washington has a program that might be exactly what you're looking for. "Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research and Policy Program" - http://sop.washington.edu/porpp, which offers an MS.

It wouldn't surprise me if other schools have comparable programs.

Also, Berkeley (where I did my masters) often has a number of graduates enter biotech/pharma, but that also because there are more firms in that region.

 

[healthypassion]

this is really great advice. health outcomes is niche and i appreciate you pointing that out. i guess i am eager to define what i want and set goals. the bu program sounds like it gives a very good framework to build a career. what is your concentration within the mph program besides pamp? epi? thanks for all of your advice. Is BU involved with organizations like MassBIO?