What kind of experience?

[jayme]

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I've already did a search for this question i have and i wasn't able to find anything - so, if anybody could help answer my question or have any comments, TIA. You're greatly appreciated.

So, my question is what kind of 'public health' experience and background are MPH programs looking for (could you please be specific)? More specifically, a program that i'm interested in applying to favors applicants who have experience with undeserved/underprivileged people. I've had quite a bit of experience interning at a clinic and hospital (for pre-med route) and i'm wondering if this counts? What was i doing there? I was basically doing grunt work, vital signs, speaking to doctors, technicians, nurses...you know, the general kind of volunteer gig. If what i did doesn't count, could somebody give me an example of some experiences i could go out and actively try to be involved in?

Once again, TIA.

 

[FutureKDEpi]

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[jayme]

Hi futurekdepi, thanks for including your thoughts with the addition of your personal experience and what you did. How thoughtful and helpful 🙂.

Your experiences that you've listed gives me an idea that i should go check out the public health department (that's if i find out my clinical (that's the word i wanted to use!) experience is not enough or doesn't count). How were you able to find your county's health department? I guess i'll have to go through the yellow pages? Government listings?

Also it's kind of nice and a relief to hear that my clinical experience would probably count (i really don't want to spend more time doing prereq. work). Could anybody else also confirm this? I will probably and most likely e-mail or call the director of the MPH program and ask.

 

[klm7552]

I've already did a search for this question i have and i wasn't able to find anything - so, if anybody could help answer my question or have any comments, TIA. You're greatly appreciated.

So, my question is what kind of 'public health' experience and background are MPH programs looking for (could you please be specific)? More specifically, a program that i'm interested in applying to favors applicants who have experience with undeserved/underprivileged people. I've had quite a bit of experience interning at a clinic and hospital (for pre-med route) and i'm wondering if this counts? What was i doing there? I was basically doing grunt work, vital signs, speaking to doctors, technicians, nurses...you know, the general kind of volunteer gig. If what i did doesn't count, could somebody give me an example of some experiences i could go out and actively try to be involved in?

Once again, TIA.

not that this matters much, but I think it's "under-served", not undeserved. 😉
if you live close to a university, they might have programs/studies that would welcome you as an intern. I emailed a project director at the SPH I'm attending in the fall, explained my position and they were happy to accept me. also, any program that offers healthcare to the community: planned parenthood, social programs, etc. if you look at your local United Way website they have a search function for "healthcare related volunteer positions" or you could even just do a google search. for my application, I wanted something beyond hospital volunteering since I was also on the pre-med track for a while and wanted to convince the adcom that I truly was intending on a career in PH. good luck!

 

[jayme]

not that this matters much, but I think it's "under-served", not undeserved. 😉
if you live close to a university, they might have programs/studies that would welcome you as an intern. I emailed a project director at the SPH I'm attending in the fall, explained my position and they were happy to accept me. also, any program that offers healthcare to the community: planned parenthood, social programs, etc. if you look at your local United Way website they have a search function for "healthcare related volunteer positions" or you could even just do a google search. for my application, I wanted something beyond hospital volunteering since I was also on the pre-med track for a while and wanted to convince the adcom that I truly was intending on a career in PH. good luck!

hehe, whoops. I thought there was something off about that word. Thanks for correcting me on that because i'd be embarrassed walking around facilities asking if they catered to mainly 'undeserved' people.

Thanks for the ideas klm7552, i'm totally going to consider them. I do want to look a little more convincing to the admissions committee, and the places you've mentioned sounds good to me - i need to jump on the boat ASAP!

Hey, good luck to you too, esp. in the Fall!!

 

[Music333]

I called a few schools and they said clinical experience definitely counts. I think as long as you have some sort of experience in the health field and express your interest in PH in your statement of purpose, you should be okay.

 

[jkmph]

Jayme- my clinical/'public health' exposure was 5 years of employment as an undergrad at a hospital and some volunteering for the red cross. FutureKD definitely went above and beyond what is required to matriculate to a good MPH program, so don't be discouraged if your CV doesn't have as much exposure and experience as his does.

I think you will find that your clinical and volunteering experience is a very close second on your SOPHAS application. With that said, public health is a very, very broad field and volunteering at a clinic would fall under that umbrella by some peoples definition, especially if it has a vaccination program or chronic infectious disease management. Good luck.

 

[SMUrandy]

I would have to completey agree that contacting your local health department, either city or county level, could be a great resume builder. I currently work for a Dept. of Public Health for a county and I know they are always eager to find individuals who might want to volunteer in some fashion. When you meet with representatives from the health dept make sure your interests and goals would be met. The last thing you want to do is be bored or doing busy work.

Also, I think CBOs (Community Based Orgs) are another way to get some great hands-on experience. With the recent economic downturn, many are understaffed and are looking for individuals that can do research, prepare grants, and the like.

Final thought... if the program you are looking at is local, consider contacting professors to see if they are accepting volunteer research assistants. This could be another valuable method to focus on your own research interests and get to know faculty.

 

[jayme]

I called a few schools and they said clinical experience definitely counts. I think as long as you have some sort of experience in the health field and express your interest in PH in your statement of purpose, you should be okay.

YAY! Thanks Music333 - a peace of mind is always good to have. Yes i will definitely go into expressing my interests in PH in my essay.

Jayme- my clinical/'public health' exposure was 5 years of employment as an undergrad at a hospital and some volunteering for the red cross. FutureKD definitely went above and beyond what is required to matriculate to a good MPH program, so don't be discouraged if your CV doesn't have as much exposure and experience as his does.

I think you will find that your clinical and volunteering experience is a very close second on your SOPHAS application. With that said, public health is a very, very broad field and volunteering at a clinic would fall under that umbrella by some peoples definition, especially if it has a vaccination program or chronic infectious disease management. Good luck.

Thanks jkmph for the encouraging words. Good luck to you too.

I would have to completey agree that contacting your local health department, either city or county level, could be a great resume builder. I currently work for a Dept. of Public Health for a county and I know they are always eager to find individuals who might want to volunteer in some fashion. When you meet with representatives from the health dept make sure your interests and goals would be met. The last thing you want to do is be bored or doing busy work.

Also, I think CBOs (Community Based Orgs) are another way to get some great hands-on experience. With the recent economic downturn, many are understaffed and are looking for individuals that can do research, prepare grants, and the like.

Final thought... if the program you are looking at is local, consider contacting professors to see if they are accepting volunteer research assistants. This could be another valuable method to focus on your own research interests and get to know faculty.

Yep, ITA. I think i'll try to get involved if possible (most likely not since a few have already responded that clinical was ok)

CBOs? wow, thanks! I'll also put that on my list of possible places to seek out if i change my mind about wanting to get extra experience--i especially love hands-on experience.

I enjoyed reading your reply, you have really insightful ideas, thanks so much SMUrandy.

 

[different]

Jayme- my clinical/'public health' exposure was 5 years of employment as an undergrad at a hospital and some volunteering for the red cross. .

JKmph, can u please elaborate what kind of work did u do for red cross? i mean office work , field work or as a trained instructor ? and did they give reference letters too , thanks.

 

[FutureKDEpi]

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[jkmph]

JKmph, can u please elaborate what kind of work did u do for red cross? i mean office work , field work or as a trained instructor ? and did they give reference letters too , thanks.

For the red cross, I volunteered consistently at campus blood drives. My responsibilities were pretty simple and I didnt do anything too impressive. If you're interested in this type of opportunity, just call the local red cross and I'm sure they can always use another pair of hands.

 

[Glentui]

Hi,

I was just accepted to the distance learning stream of the MPH at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. My healthcare experience consists of several years consulting to the pharmaceutical industry at The Boston Consulting Group - so not traditional healthcare at all.

Good luck!

 

[saloo]

Wow, you guys are all sooo helpful! Thank you so much! I have been trying to get on board with my county dept of health, but haven't heard much from them. Will try state level, community based orgs and Universities now