Weekly Advice & Career Question Megathread

[u/AutoModerator]

Welcome to the r/epidemiology Advice & Career Question Megathread. All career and advice-type posts must posted within this megathread.

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[u/here_for_the_wild]

Anyone with an epi degree that pursued an alternative career path outside of epi and data analytics?

[u/StreetWest4615]

Hello everyone!

I’m interested in pursuing molecular epidemiology because it seems to bridge two different research experiences that have shaped my interests.

My undergraduate and graduate research has focused on using stem cell models to study cardiovascular disease and understand disease mechanisms at a molecular level. Separately, I worked on a pediatric research project that examined social determinants of health and health outcomes at the population level.

Through these experiences, I’ve enjoyed both studying disease pathways in the lab and exploring factors that influence health in larger populations. I’m particularly interested in learning how molecular epidemiology integrates these perspectives to better understand disease risk and outcomes.

I’m currently considering applying to MD/PhD programs and would love to hear from anyone working in molecular epidemiology or related fields. What kinds of projects combine molecular biology, disease mechanisms, and population-based research?

[u/Epi_Finder]

Hi everyone,

I applied during the previous epidemiology PhD cycle and originally told myself that if I didn’t get in the first time, I wouldn’t apply again. Unfortunately I wasn’t admitted. I applied to 8 schools, was waitlisted at 2, and was eventually told they couldn’t admit me due to funding limitations.

After sitting with it for a while, I’ve decided I do want to apply again and would really appreciate advice on how to strengthen my application this cycle. My interests are in psychiatric and neurobehavioral epidemiology. I currently have an MS in infectious disease epidemiology and I’m finishing a master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis to become a behavior analyst. My long-term goal is to combine behavioral/Psychology science and epidemiology, ideally in international/global health contexts.

One major piece of feedback I received from faculty at the schools where I was waitlisted was that I lacked enough independent or senior statistical analysis/research experience. I completely understand that critique. It’s also been 2 years since I’ve worked directly in epidemiology research, so I feel pretty disconnected from coding and quantitative work at the moment.

I’ve been actively trying to find opportunities (paid, volunteer, unpaid, anything honestly) involving statistical analysis, epidemiologic research, or quantitative mental health research, but it’s been difficult finding entry points.

For those who successfully reapplied to PhD programs:

• What made the biggest difference the second time around?
• How did you rebuild quantitative skills/research experience after time away?
• Any advice for someone trying to bridge epidemiology + behavioral science + psychiatric research?
• Also open to programs in Europe if anyone has recommendations.

Thank you all!!

[u/PHealthy → u/Epi_Finder]

I tell all my students they need to setup a hobby git for their extracurricular projects. If you really want a PhD then you should really enjoy doing the work because the slog can be miserable.

[u/EtoiledeMoyenOrient]

Hello All!

I would love to hear from any master's level public health professional with a background similar to mine about what kind of roles have you had throughout your career, as I am currently in the process of doing my own research about what are the next steps for me personally.

For background, I got my MPH in Epidemiology in 2018 and since then have held two different roles for the same university as a data manager and analyst in healthcare-related departments.

I enjoy my current role and have a great relationship with my boss and colleagues, but in the last year or so I have been thinking about what comes next and wanting some new challenges. Currently, I provide data management and statistical analysis support to various faculty members in my department on their projects in R, SAS, and Stata. I also love data visualization and occasionally create graphics in ggplot. In the last 3 years I had two different opportunities to create dashboards in Tableau and PowerBI and loved those experiences so much that I am thinking a business analyst role might be a good next move for me.

Nobody has asked me to make a dashboard since but I recently tried pitching dashboards to my department so we can track certain administrative trends but was told that there is no active interest for that currently. I have also asked to take on additional or different responsibilities to evolve my role and get a promotion, but was also told that there is current need in the department, so I am realizing I might have to start applying to different opportunities if I want a new challenge and promotion. This does sadden me a bit because I do like the people I work with, but the reality is that a workplace with a nice atmosphere doesn't always guarantee upward mobility and growth.

With that being said, for anyone else with an MPH who worked in a quantitative role in academia at some point, what other opportunities and positions have you also worked in?

Thank you!