Ever thought to yourself “if I had only known…” about your
exit from HBHE into the Real World? Here are 5 tips sent in from HBHE alumni on
what they wish they had known during this time. Job seekers new and
experienced, take a look. In the comments section, let us know your own
tips—what worked and what didn’t?
1.
Use your HBHE connections
One of our
greatest resources is HBHE. Reach out to faculty, staff, and (other) alumni—whether
you are still at HBHE or you have already moved that salmon tassel to the left.
“If you stay in the A2 area, try to build
strong relationships with faculty and staff during your program. It might help
you find a job!” – Holly Derry (’97)
“The
HBHE internship requirement helped me find my career. For that I am grateful!”
– Shannon Considine Dunn, MPH, MSW (’05)
… my point is - in your last
semester, really take the opportunity to gain new experiences and form
relationships with faculty members. You have a ton of resources at your
disposal right now, so take advantage of them! Grades matter, but they don't
matter THAT much. The relationships you form and the experiences you have will
last a lifetime. I'm really glad I was able to do that in my time in SPH, but
looking back, I wish I had done even more!
...Don't write off your colleagues
after graduating, either - someday one of them might be key in landing you your
dream job!” – Megan Villwock, MPH, MSW (’13)
2.
It’s
not now or never
There are infinite possibilities and they aren’t set on a
timer. Take the time to figure out what will take you where you want to go.
“The
definition of public health is not immutable, you can define it for yourself.
Public health can be as broad as you want it to be, and the knowledge and
skills gained as an MPH are applicable to a variety careers that work directly
or indirectly to improve the wellbeing of others.” – Rachel Lieberman
(’08)
“Seek out jobs that build the kinds of
skills you want to have, even if you can’t find your dream job right out of
school. You can work in a role that grows your experience (and supports your
livelihood), and at the same time keep an eye out for opportunities that align
with your goals. You can also stay involved in the work you’re most passionate
about through volunteering or other kinds of engagement.” – Laura
McAndrew (’10)
3.
Get experience
Get out there and get in on the
action—whether practical or just to try something new.
The PHAST program
highly influenced my experience in the HBHE program. It regularly gave
students the opportunity to get out in the field, both locally and globally. As
a result, I was given the opportunity to be a part of public health in
action. Most notably, for me, was my travel to China during Winter Break in
2008. Take home message: Get out of the classroom and into the field.
Try things out. Practice. Get exposure. – Sarah Pennewell (’09)
“I just graduated in December, and
I was lucky enough to secure a fellowship right away. After I was hired, I was
told that I was primarily hired over the other candidates for two reasons: the
breadth of my practical experience and the strength of my recommendations. Not
once did my grades ever come up, and they didn't seem to care very much about
what classes I took.” – Megan Villwock,
MPH, MSW (’13)
4.
Be confident in yourself and your skills
Whatever your role or experience
level, resist the urge to doubt yourself.
“Starting a new
job is challenging for everyone. Have confidence in your skills and
approach challenges with curiosity. Compare yourself now with yourself
last month. If you learned something new, then you are making progress.”
– Tina Sang (’10)
5.
It’s also about you, not just the job
It’s easy to go all in for new
jobs, but don’t forget to make time for yourself to stay happy and healthy.
“Take care of yourself. New jobs can be demanding, and lots of us want
to dive in to reading up on the field and building skills so we can do a good
job – which is great! But it’s both acceptable and important to take time to
relax, build in time with friends/family or whatever it is you find fun, and
actually engage in those health behaviors we work to promote. There will be
enough time to build your competency while still having a fun life.” – Laura
McAndrew (’10)
*For more tips on self-care, see the Dec 2013 edition of the.link’s 5Tips on Self-Care
What's worked for you during job hunts? Share your tips below!
What's worked for you during job hunts? Share your tips below!
Things could be a lot harder when you finally go out into the real world. The things you've learned in the academia might not be exactly how you'll see them in practice. That being said, these tips could definitely help HBHE job seekers land on their dream jobs. But at the end of the day, it all boils down to how you handle yourself while job hunting. Anyway, thank you for sharing these tips with us, Merrybelle. All the best!
ReplyDeleteWaylon Grimm @ All Force Labour Solutions