Tips for Success to Recruit for Public Healthcare

Gain experience

Those who do not have work experience during the school year are at a disadvantage when applying for full-time or other internship positions. Therefore it is recommended that if one can find a job that fits their interest, he/she should get started as soon as possible.

Network and build relationships

Connect with individuals that are in your interested field. Oftentimes, they can provide connections and/or job opportunities that could fit your interests.

Integrate your interests

“Going to medical school does not have to be a compromise with what you are passionate about. You don’t have to leave behind any passions; it is about exploring how you can pursue your passions in the context of an interest in medicine and helping other individuals.”

- Class of 2021, undergraduate student applying to medical school

Source: “Messages, Media and Getting It Right.” AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION, www.apha.org/professional-development/public-health-careermart/careers-in-public-health-newsletter/so-howd-you-get-your-job/messages-media-and-getting-it-right.

Recruiting and Resources at Harvard for Public Healthcare

Career Fairs

In the first semester of each year (around Sept - Nov), many companies and organizations come to Harvard to educate students about their company and share the opportunities they have. These are great to attend to learn more about the public health field and see how one can contribute to a company etc. And because the public healthcare sector has many subsections, this opportunity will allow individuals to learn more about the different fields.

Global Opportunities

Many companies and organizations have programs and/or roles overseas and individuals could reach out to those companies to work on a specific project.

Research Opportunities

At Harvard, many students who want to go into Public Health work with professors to first do research in a certain area. These could be professors from classes you’ve taken, or professors that are doing work in a field that interests you. It is important for you to reach out to many professors to find a research opportunity.

Graduate and Professional Programs

Many healthcare jobs require advanced degrees. These could include:

• Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)

• Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.)

• Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.)

• Master of Science in Public Health (M.S.P.H.)

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Crimson Careers

A portal that provides lots job opportunities in different fields.

Source: OCS

Resources at Harvard

• Harvard information sessions: OCS panels, sessions run by different interest groups on campus such as Harvard PreMedical Society, different departments such as MBB, etc.

• Harvard Alumni Database

• OCS First- Hand Advisors

• House tutors: each Harvard residential house contains a group of premedical advisors, many of which are students are Harvard Medical School with connections to various labs and research opportunities

Relevant Clubs

It's great to join communities of likeminded individuals to learn more about the field from your peers; some great organizations to join at Harvard to learn more about public health are listed below:

• Harvard Cancer Society

• Harvard Chemistry Club

• Harvard College Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian,Transgender, Queer, and Allied Students in the Sciences (HBASIS)

• Harvard College Health Policy Society

• Harvard College Undergraduate Research Association (HCURA)

• Harvard PreMedical Society

• Harvard Science Club for Girls

• Harvard Society of Black Scientists and Engineers (HSBSE)

• Harvard Undergraduate Bioethics Society

• Harvard Undergraduate Biological Sciences Society (HUBSS)

• Harvard Undergraduate Global Health Forum

• Neurobiology Synapses Undergraduate Group

• Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Undergraduate Group (OEBUG)

• Scientista, Women in Science Network at Harvard

• Science Theater at Harvard College

• Women in Science at Harvard-Radcliffe (WISHR)

External Resources

Two of the most important Public Health organizations are the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). You can learn more about their initiatives through their website, and see if a subsection interests you. Also use the websites to stay updated with the news, discoveries, and changes in the public health field.

The US Department of Health and Human Services provide internships and leadership opportunities for individuals that are interested. They work to place students all over the US.

Is Public Healthcare Right for Me?

People who go into Public Health are those who are interested in improving the health of communities. Much of that is through research of how diseases spread and how to combat diseases. In addition, public health experts are focused on chronic illnesses and mental health. This career path is fit for those who want to solve problems related to health that are threatening communities and populations, to improve and tackle existing health issues, and to promote better overall healthcare.

Source: CDC

Skills Needed:

Communicational Skills (Verbal and Written)

Multiple positions in the public health field require teaching and/or working with others, therefore being able to successfully articulate and express one’s ideas is really important. In addition, various positions require individuals to design and implement special policies and programs to help the public, and having a strong set of communication skills will allow other employees and the public to better understand and cooperate with the team. Allows better interactions with employees in different fields as well if there are partnerships.

Teamwork skills

In the world of public health, there are very minimal positions that allow one to work individually. Therefore, being able to work as a team is really important to ensure productive conversations and efficient work. The collaboration will range from other healthcare professionals to social workers.

Initiative

One of the main goals of the public health industry is to solve problems within society. Public health workers should hold responsibility in serving others and to do that he/she should be initiative in detecting/solving problems.

“Whether you take things from a scientific standpoint or a medical standpoint, you might not always have the answer or everything might not be known. It's about pushing and continuing your efforts and the hard work that it takes to figure something out.”

- Class of 2021, Medical school applicant

Analytical Skills

This is a really important skill used to manage day-to-day responsibilities and tasks. In addition, analytical skills allow individuals to foresee the future of certain actions, such as the consequences.

Adaptability

The world is constantly changing and so is the healthcare world. Individuals should be comfortable with the changing environment and knowing how to adapt to certain changes to make quick actions.

Source: mphprogramslist.com/, MPHProgramsList.com 2020 |. “10 Qualities and Skills Public Health Employers Want From You.” MPHProgramsList.com 2020, mphprogramslist.com/10-qualities-and-skills-public-health-employers-want-from-you/.

Compassion

Entering the medical field is an arduous process. People who want to pursue a career in public healthcare must have a true desire to help others.

"I've always wanted to help children who are vulnerable."

-- Class of 2018, Student at Harvard Medical School