so confused.. MPH in epi vs HPM vs GH

[zekashis]

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i am so confused..
i am an MD graduated in 2011 (indonesia). i have work experience in local community health centers (under the local department of health) and local private health foundation

my researches done is about:
adolescent behavior (smoking, sexual activity, and alcohol consumption)
occupational HIV preparedness in GP/nurses
effect of reiki to its practitioners

i have particular interest in:
reproductive health, especially STI & HIV, and general adolescent sexual health
general epidemiology, i read introduction epid e-books in my leasure time
math.. i am quite good with numbers and quite strong in my GRE quantitative (96th precentile)
working in an organization, i was active and held position in AMSA-Indonesia. i like making structured rules and regulations as well as policies for the organization

my original plan is to get an MPH degree, than to advance my career to the ministry of health in Indonesia (hoping i can create health policies that can save many people). other plan involve working with the NGO such as WHO

now the question
at first i thought taking HPM or GH would greatly help me advance my career to the ministry of health or in WHO.. but a friend of mine advised me taking the Epi path.. since my interest is quite strong in that particular area. some also say that Epi provides better employability prospect for my future

i do hope that in the future i am involved with statistical numbers analysis, sexual/reproductive health concerns, and policies to stop those smokers from smoking near children..

anyone have a good suggestion for me? i am deeply confused.. hoping to submit to SOPHAS sometime in oct (my first deadline is dec 1st)

regards
Chris

 

[ratonlaveur]

Sounds like your goals are more policy oriented so I would say HPM > EPI > GH. Though may be good to find a curriculum that integrates policy and epi. Also would be good to talk to people working in the type of position or organization that you want to work in and see what their background is in.

 

[ms newyear]

Some programs will let you dual concentrate (like BU) and so you could do both.

 

[zekashis]

i think i'm applying to harvard/hopkins/berkeley only... my career projection is to work in indonesian MoH or in the WHO, hopefully later on as project coordinator in HIV/AIDS..
for the HIV/AIDS itself, epi seems to benefit me much, but if my career goal is as project coordinator, i think HMP would give much advantage for me?

i also dont know whether the curriculum discusses health policies for general, or US-based, or comparison of policies in the world... i dont know their applicability back in indonesia

some tell me that taking epi would give better prospects ahead, but i see many M.Epid (master of epidemiology) here in indonesia.. and there are still not much about health policy...

so so confused