Entry level jobs for epidemiologists

I have been out of school for about a year now and still cannot get an entry level position job as an epidemiologist. The jobs that are available require some years of experience, but if no one will hire you or give you the opportunity to gain the much needed experience, what can one do or where can we go? I need help solving this universal problem

I graduated from my MPH program in 2008 and have just been offered a position as a district epidemiologist. Unless you do a fellowship (like with CSTE) or had a practicum opportunity at a health department, you probably won't really get field experience prior to getting the job. You have to sell yourself on your resume and cover letter. I revised mine about 5 times before I submitted it. And network. I still talk to one of my beloved epi professors; he served as a reference. I also have a friend who recently started as an epidemiologist for another district and had her down as a reference as well. NETWORK. If you don't have field experience, you need to have people who can vouch for your intelligence and work ethic. And you don't have to be in a public health job already to network either. Reach out to some of your area coalitions that are focused on health--chances are they have people from local health departments on their roster. Go to a meeting and network. And if you get an interview, I suggest brushing up on your epi terms and outbreak and contact investigation procedures. Also, an epi background can land you a job as a statistical analyst for any number of different companies and non-profits, so don't limit yourself. Good luck!

epiVA wrote:

I graduated from my MPH program in 2008 and have just been offered a position as a district epidemiologist. Unless you do a fellowship (like with CSTE) or had a practicum opportunity at a health department, you probably won't really get field experience prior to getting the job. You have to sell yourself on your resume and cover letter. I revised mine about 5 times before I submitted it. And network. I still talk to one of my beloved epi professors; he served as a reference. I also have a friend who recently started as an epidemiologist for another district and had her down as a reference as well. NETWORK. If you don't have field experience, you need to have people who can vouch for your intelligence and work ethic. And you don't have to be in a public health job already to network either. Reach out to some of your area coalitions that are focused on health--chances are they have people from local health departments on their roster. Go to a meeting and network. And if you get an interview, I suggest brushing up on your epi terms and outbreak and contact investigation procedures. Also, an epi background can land you a job as a statistical analyst for any number of different companies and non-profits, so don't limit yourself. Good luck!

Thank you for your advice.

Thanks for giving information, that will heip me, as i am 2nd year of MPH from KLE University India

hey,
i think this jo offer could be interesting for some of you guys.
http://bit.ly/epidemiology-infectious-disease
(and if you are already there join researchgate. its a great place for getting conected to other scientists (even epidemiologists) and to find papers and more)
hope yall succeed in your jobsearch

This looks like a good forum for epidemiologists. I am from Pakistan and recently completed Masters in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from one of the leading universities of the country. here it is an up and coming field in health care. Whats' the job situation like in the US? I like some of the advice given on this board but would like to know more, like how can i apply for jobs and how to "sell myself" on the resume? Any websites that offer good advice on how to make a good resume?

I am from algeria and I am graduated from university of Lyon france in Public Health, epidemiology and health hazards, do you have receive any answers about your post Nadia....

Innovative tools for analyzing epidemiologic study data are a must have. You will find the iEpidemiology App in the Apple App storeextremely useful. You can get it here:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iepidemiology/...

There are new opportunities for Epidemiologist , all you need to do is look for it. I am MPH in Epidemiology and as many of u was hunting for a job here and there , then i came across a field of hospital epidemiology and Infection Prevention , It took me 6 months to pass the exam to qualify for the position but hey now i am making 80K plus , The position is called as infection preventionist and all you need to do is pass this exam , i did lot of browsing around for the right materials and finally got it from ebay ( CIC Preparation Package ), you go through this and then you are a hot cake in a market. you can contact me at davidcliff111@gmail.com

I would possibly like to get my masters in public health in Epidemology. I wanted to know is it frowned upon to go to an online school... And if I am already in a Masters program such as Biology should I finish and just go for my PHd.. On one website it said that you can get hired in entry level positions without the epidemology degree but I plan to go back as soon as possible... I just don't know exactly where to start..

DAVID CLIFF wrote:

There are new opportunities for Epidemiologist , all you need to do is look for it. I am MPH in Epidemiology and as many of u was hunting for a job here and there , then i came across a field of hospital epidemiology and Infection Prevention , It took me 6 months to pass the exam to qualify for the position but hey now i am making 80K plus , The position is called as infection preventionist and all you need to do is pass this exam , i did lot of browsing around for the right materials and finally got it from ebay ( CIC Preparation Package ), you go through this and then you are a hot cake in a market. you can contact me at davidcliff111@gmail.com

Hey thanks David. That does sound like a good idea and interesting field too. I will definitely contact you one of these days. I hope yr offer still holds :)

Hi david,
Do you have to be working in infection control to be eligible?

I have passed MPH this year from a renowned university in India. But as soon as I started searching for the jobs, I came to know that everywhere they need experience of min 3 years. What to do as a fresher and what kind of job should I expect?

I am currently in my second-year of MPH and as part of my program I will be doing a practicum where I would have to "shadow" a senior epidemiologist in my state for about 2 years. Afterwards, I am going for my Ph.D where I would have to conduct a research; currently, I am interested in the surveillance of national and international infectious diseases, if any one has the same aspirations, let's network!

bonniesway2@yahoo.com

This job is based in Karachi, Pakistan in Public Sector organization

Those having experience in field epidemiology specially for surveillance like vector surveillance are strongly encouraged to apply

I have an MPH and majored in epidemiology. I really like it and hate to not use my degree. I live in a rural town and local health departments and clinics just aren't hiring. However, I live close enough to commute if needed. I've been applying EVERYWHERE in Texas (where I live) and out of state. Never even had an interview. I have 4 years of public health experience and a couple of published papers out there, but I guess that's not enough to get me an interview. Any advice? I seriously need a change in the way I'm approaching job- searching. I've been applying for an entire year consistently...

Are you on linkedin? If not, make a profile on it and possibly join some epi groups within it. There are many people who are getting jobs that way. Good luck!

L Cutchen wrote:

I have an MPH and majored in epidemiology. I really like it and hate to not use my degree. I live in a rural town and local health departments and clinics just aren't hiring. However, I live close enough to commute if needed. I've been applying EVERYWHERE in Texas (where I live) and out of state. Never even had an interview. I have 4 years of public health experience and a couple of published papers out there, but I guess that's not enough to get me an interview. Any advice? I seriously need a change in the way I'm approaching job- searching. I've been applying for an entire year consistently...