Masters in Public Health? Epidemiology?

[AwkwardPaws27]

Has anyone done an MPH or Epi masters or works in the field and can shed some light on what the job market is actually like? I've been on various online forums and looked at ads etc but getting really mixed messages about whether there are many roles if you aren't already in a similar role.

I have a 1st BSc Hons in Biomedicine. I have previously have worked in various admin roles in veterinary industry, HE, NHS (medical library), charity sector (EA to museum director), tried retraining as an accountant and hated it, and currently in part-time school office role. I'm also autistic - may explain the job-hopping & failure to launch.

About to go on maternity leave and considering retraining afterwards as I really want a proper career.

I have some experience with statistics (degree module) and reviewing literature (medical library assistant) but only at a low level and a decade ago so not much use for application/interview.

I enjoyed my degree but leaned more towards the literature side, found epidemiology & microbiology fascinating but I am crap in the lab, despite trying desperately hard. I like helping people but I'm not great with conflict (I can handle difficult/ emotional conversations well in the moment but tend to burn out when its a constant feature of a job & I can't afford that happening again). AHP pre-reg courses aren't workable due to placements and childcare costs unfortunately else I'd be looking at something like radiography.

I'm feeling quite lost to be honest, just trying to figure out some way of training and hoping an online masters would be a workable option around two young children (DS starts school in September and I'd hope to start when new baby is about 18 months). I did my degree alongside full-time work so hoping I can juggle an online masters mostly studying in evenings / weekends with DH's support.

My wife did one and found most roles went to people who’d been say a nurse and put this on top, you have a better first qualification than she did, but worth considering.

My daughter did a Masters in Public Health after her BSC in Biology. She works in Clinical Trials management now and loves it. She says she'll never be rich but is happy.

I'm doing a masters course (nurse), and I'm about to start an epidemiology module, as I also have an interest. I thought in the future it may help if I went into a role with Public Health Wales. There are lots of non clinical roles in public health, and it sounds as if you have transferable skills.

Thank you, this is part of my concern... did she find a role eventually?

Not in PH

There are often healthcare scientist roles within public health. Many of them do not require a clinical background, but do prefer a postgraduate qualification. Here are two example jobs: https://apply.jobs.scot.nhs.uk/Job/JobDetail?JobId=178521

https://apply.jobs.scot.nhs.uk/Job/JobDetail?JobId=202405

Look at the person specs to see what they're after

Thank you. They both look like interesting roles that might work well with my background and skills.
I think getting the relevant experience in PH / a PH related field might be tricky though (& this is listed as Essential on the person spec for both). Most of the roles I've seen want experience - which makes doing an MSc without relevant employment a real risk!
Unless their definition of that is quite broad... I wonder if something like a part-time HCA role in a community team or similar might be acceptable (as would cover areas such as infection control, safeguarding, etc).