Moving for your MPH?!?!

[sf318]

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I know there are a lot of us out there who don't have the option of staying in our current locations to go to our local public health school or are otherwise choosing a school that's farther away for whatever reason, but are planning to return "home" after finishing up our studies in 2-ish years. I know we are all planning to network while we're in school, but I'm assuming the most contacts we will make will be closer to our schools. I'm also aware of these reciprocity agreements for career service offices between schools, but most are simply access to online job postings, which to me seem no different than searching something like monster.com or indeed.com

What is everyone thinking in terms of landing that first job after graduation closer to "home"?

Besides the vast alumni networks that most of these big schools tout so prominently, what are some other ideas? Try to find a practicum placement closer to "home"?

P.S. I'm referring to those of us from within the US (I've picked up from this forum that it's a whole other story for international students!) Thanks!

 

[Lodato]

Hi SF318! So I currently reside in Philadelphia and I do not like it here so much...I am more of an outdoorsy kind of person and the city is NOT my cup of tea. That being said though, I applied to Tulane, Boston, Columbia, NYU, U Mich, and U Penn. I narrowed it down to Tulane and Boston.

You may be thinking- why did she apply there because she hates the city? Well because they would have the most opportunities... Minnesota is an amazing school but how much hands on experience would I really get? So I applied to places where it would maximize my pratical experience as well as understanding how different cities approach their public health issues.

Don't let moving be an issue for you- yes it is expensive and a pain sometimes, but do what is best for YOU and then your education. I feel that getting out of a place that brings me down (Philadelphia) and maximizing my pratical experience would be very useful and very agressive in the job market.

Also, moving isn't so bad...I am 23 years old and have bounced around everywhere- you will get used to it! 😀