We asked students in ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ's Master of Public Health program why they chose to get an MPH, what they think about the program and more. Here's what a few of them had to say.
The students:
Jessica McCarthy is a first-year student in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program.
Meredith Smith is a first-year MPH program student interested in policies, mental health and youth services. She is the publicity chair of the MPH GSO.
Why did you choose to get an MPH degree?
Link: I've always had an interest in helping people, but felt like I wasn't able to make enough of an impact when I was working one-on-one with them. An MPH degree will allow me to help solve health issues on a larger scale, so my work after graduation will be able to reach more people.
McCarthy: I am very passionate about the field of public health, and I would like to improve the health of individuals in the community by preventing disease and promoting overall health and well-being.
Smith: I chose MPH to help me advance in my career; I'm driven by a passion for improving the health and well-being of communities.
What about Binghamton's program made it the right choice for you?
Link: I attended ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ for undergrad, so I already knew that I liked the school and location, plus I already had a connection with one of the MPH professors, who told me about the program. I'm not sure where I'm going to end up after graduation, so I like that Binghamton's program is more of a generalist degree where I get exposed to a lot of different career paths and am prepared for whatever I decide to pursue.
McCarthy: Binghamton has a very good reputation for its education, and once I learned there was an MPH program, I knew I wanted to go here. It is also not far from my hometown in Pennsylvania, and I loved the Binghamton area when I visited.
Smith: Binghamton offers interdisciplinary education, allowing students to gain knowledge in areas such as epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, healthcare management, and social and behavioral sciences. This broad understanding prepares graduates to tackle complex public health issues.
What do you hope to gain from getting an MPH degree? How do you expect this will change your life?
Link: Getting an MPH degree will give me a lot of opportunities that I wouldn't otherwise have been afforded. I'm gaining experience through my internship, learning a lot of transferrable skills and information during my courses and projects, and I'm able to network with my peers and professionals in the field.
McCarthy: I hope to gain skills that I can use in my future career, such as addressing health issues in the community (as well as underserved populations), analyzing data on diseases, monitoring public health threats, and much more. I hope to gain real-life experience in public health so I can be successful in the future.
Smith: The MPH degree is a means of career advancement. It will equip me with advanced skills and knowledge, enabling me to be more competitive in the job market. I will have the knowledge to enter into the public health field.
How has your experience been so far?
Link: My experience has been great! Since our classes are relatively small, we get to know our professors really well. This means that we get more individualized education — our professors can cater classes around our interests, and they're very receptive to feedback and available to answer any questions.
McCarthy: My experience here has been great so far. Professors, students and friends in the program have made the adjustment much easier for me.
Smith: My experience has been great so far, and I enjoy being involved in the program with faculty and students. I also enjoy being a part of the Public Health Graduate Student Organization.
What would you say to someone thinking of entering Binghamton's MPH program?
Link: Do it! Any student or faculty member would be happy to give you more information, so don't be afraid to reach out to us and learn more!
McCarthy: I highly suggest they choose Binghamton's MPH program because of their excellent coursework. They will learn the importance of public health and everyday public health issues that affect individuals in the community.
Smith: If you are interested in pushing yourself, understanding how to address public health challenges effectively, and advancing your skills to better serve the community, then this is the perfect program for you!