Do MPH Colleges in Canada Help with Placements? What's the Average Salary?

Summary

The speaker, a graduate in Public Health from Canada, shares their journey and insights on securing jobs post-graduation. They emphasize the importance of part-time work for gaining experience and references, tailoring resumes and cover letters for specific job applications, and the value of networking. The speaker also discusses the challenges of finding a job after graduation, the average salary range for a Master of Public Health (MPH) graduate in Canada, and the significance of Canadian work experience over international experience.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Graduated with a BTS degree from Manipal and a Master of Science in Public Health from a Canadian university (Mill University) in 2021.
• 📝 Focuses on public health research, evidence synthesis for health policy and guidelines, with interests in infectious diseases, child, and maternal health from a global health perspective.
• 💼 Finding a job after MPH can be challenging despite great job options; working part-time during studies can help secure full-time employment through references and networking.
• ⏳ Job search can take an average of 6 months, especially for recent graduates; it is essential to tailor resumes and cover letters for each job application.
• 🤝 Networking is crucial for job searching; it involves connecting with people in the industry, conducting informational interviews, and staying in touch with contacts.
• 📄 Tailoring resumes and cover letters involves highlighting relevant experiences and skills for the specific job applied for, which increases the chances of getting interviews and job offers.
• 🏢 Some universities in Canada offer job fairs but not campus placements; they forward job opportunities to students even after graduation.
• 💵 Average salary for an MPH graduate in Canada ranges from $45,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on the job and prior experience; Canadian work experience is often more valued than Indian experience.
• 🔄 Part-time work experience during studies can significantly enhance a resume and improve job prospects, especially when it is related to the field of study.
• 🔬 Part-time work experience included research on HIV, STIs like hepatitis C, syphilis, gonorrhea, COVID-19, and coordinating a project in India.

Q & A

What educational background does the speaker have?

The speaker graduated with a BTS degree from Manipal, and then studied for a Master of Science and Public Health from Mill University in Canada, graduating in 2021.

What is the speaker's area of professional focus?

The speaker's work focuses on public health research and synthesizing evidence for health policy and guidelines, with interests in infectious diseases and child and maternal health from a global health perspective.

How did the speaker secure their first job after graduation?

The speaker started working part-time in April 2020 and, due to making a mark in their part-time work, was offered a full-time job by the same boss after graduation in June 2021.

What was the speaker's experience with job hunting after their first job?

The speaker was without a job for 2 to 4 months after their first job ended and learned that it can take on average about 6 months to secure the right job.

What advice does the speaker give for job seekers to increase their chances of getting hired?

The speaker advises tailoring resumes and cover letters to the specific job, focusing on relevant experiences, and emphasizes the importance of networking.

How did the speaker utilize their part-time work experience to their advantage?

The speaker used their part-time work experience to strengthen their CV and gain a full-time job offer in a relevant field of global health research.

What role did references play in the speaker's job search process?

References helped the speaker by providing an additional point of contact and bonus during the application process, and also by potentially forwarding job opportunities that they thought the speaker would be a good fit for.

What is the average salary range for a Master of Public Health (MPH) graduate in Canada?

A recent MPH graduate in Canada can earn between $45,000 and $80,000 per year, depending on various factors including the job type and previous experience.

Does the speaker's Indian work experience have an impact on their Canadian job prospects?

The Indian experience may not always be counted towards job prospects in Canada, but gaining experience during education in Canada can be beneficial.

What was the nature of the speaker's part-time work during their studies?

The speaker's part-time work involved research focused on HIV and other STI infections such as HIV, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, syphilis, and chlamydia, as well as some COVID-19 research.

How do universities or colleges support graduates in their job search in Canada, according to the speaker?

Some universities or colleges in Canada have job fairs and forward job opportunities to graduates even after they have graduated, providing support in the job search process.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Academic and Professional Journey in Public Health

The speaker discusses their educational background, having graduated with a BTS degree from Manipal, followed by a Master of Science in Public Health from Canada's Mill University in 2021. They have been working in public health research, focusing on infectious diseases and child and maternal health from a global health perspective. The speaker also shares their experience in securing a full-time job through part-time work and the importance of making a mark in part-time roles for future opportunities. They emphasize the challenges of finding a job post-graduation and the average time it takes, highlighting the value of tailoring resumes and cover letters, and the significant role of networking in the job search process.

05:03

🔍 Job Search Strategies and the Impact of Networking

This paragraph delves into the speaker's job search strategies, emphasizing the evolution from a generic application approach to a more tailored one, which significantly improved their interview and job offer rates. They discuss the importance of networking, sharing personal anecdotes about how it has benefited their career, including leveraging connections for job referrals. The speaker also talks about the role of universities in facilitating job fairs and supporting graduates with job opportunities, and touches on the average salary expectations for a fresh Master of Business (MB) graduate in Canada, noting the varying range and the impact of Canadian work experience versus Indian experience.

10:04

🧬 Part-Time Work in Research and Its Relevance to Job Applications

The speaker describes their part-time work experience, which involved research on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, including COVID-19 research. They highlight the relevance of this experience in strengthening their CV and aiding in securing full-time employment. The paragraph underscores the importance of gaining practical experience during education and how it can be leveraged to enhance job applications and increase the chances of employment post-graduation.

Keywords

💡BTS degree

A BTS degree refers to a Bachelor of Technology in Science degree. It is an undergraduate academic degree that focuses on applied sciences and technology. In the context of the video, the speaker graduated with a BTS degree from Manipal, indicating a strong foundation in scientific and technical knowledge, which is essential for their subsequent studies and career in public health research.

💡Master of Science and Public Health

The Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) is a graduate degree that prepares individuals for leadership roles in public health practice. The speaker mentions obtaining this degree from Canada and Mill University, indicating a specialization in public health and a focus on evidence-based health policy and guidelines, which is central to the video's theme of health research and policy.

💡Infectious diseases

Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi. The speaker's interest in infectious diseases is highlighted as a key area of focus in their work, emphasizing the importance of this field in global health and the speaker's professional expertise.

💡Maternal and Child Health

Maternal and child health refers to the healthcare of women during pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the health of children from birth to early childhood. The speaker's interest in this area underscores a commitment to improving health outcomes for some of the most vulnerable populations, which is a significant theme in global health discussions.

💡Global Health Perspective

A global health perspective involves considering health issues from a worldwide viewpoint, taking into account the interconnectedness of health systems and the impact of global policies and practices. The speaker's work is framed within this perspective, indicating a broad and inclusive approach to health research and policy.

💡Part-time work

Part-time work refers to employment where individuals work fewer hours than a full-time job. The speaker mentions working part-time during their studies, which not only provided practical experience but also led to a full-time job offer, illustrating the value of part-time work as a stepping stone in a career.

💡Tailoring applications

Tailoring applications involves customizing resumes and cover letters to align with the specific requirements and context of a job posting. The speaker emphasizes the importance of this practice in securing interviews and job offers, highlighting a strategic approach to job application that is crucial for job seekers.

💡Networking

Networking is the process of building and maintaining professional relationships. The speaker discusses the significant role networking played in their job search, including obtaining references and job leads, which underscores the importance of interpersonal connections in career development.

💡Job fairs

Job fairs are events where employers and potential employees can meet and discuss job opportunities. The speaker mentions job fairs at universities as a resource for job seekers, indicating an additional pathway to employment that is relevant to the video's theme of career advice.

💡Salary

Salary refers to the fixed regular payment made by an employer to an employee. The discussion about average salaries for MPH graduates in Canada provides insight into the financial aspects of the profession, which is an important consideration for those pursuing a career in public health.

💡Canadian experience

Canadian experience refers to work or educational experience gained within Canada. The speaker notes that having Canadian experience can be advantageous when seeking employment, as it may be more valued by employers than international experience, which is a key point for international students and professionals.

Highlights

Graduated with a Bachelor of Technology in Science (BTS) from Manipal and then pursued a Master of Science in Public Health from Canada, graduating from Mill University in 2021.

Work focuses on public health research and synthesizing evidence for health policy and guidelines, with interests in infectious diseases and child and maternal health from a global health perspective.

Worked part-time during studies, starting in September 2019 and graduated in June 2021, gaining a full-time job through part-time work connections.

Transitioned to a second job after project completion; found the job search process took longer than expected, about 2 to 4 months without employment.

Employment services advised that a 6-month job search is normal for recent graduates, emphasizing the importance of applying for the right job and tailoring resumes and cover letters.

Tailoring resumes involves expanding on relevant experiences and skills, such as highlighting teamwork or specific projects like a systematic review on Hepatitis C.

Networking plays a crucial role in job searching, providing opportunities through referrals and informational interviews with professionals in the field.

Consistently maintaining connections and conducting informational interviews can lead to job opportunities and insights into career progression.

University job fairs exist, such as at the University of Toronto, but there is no campus placement system like in some countries; colleges may forward job opportunities to alumni.

Average salary for Master of Public Health graduates in Canada ranges from $45,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on job type and location.

Canadian work experience is often more valued than international experience for job opportunities in Canada, especially for recent graduates.

Part-time work during education, particularly in public health, can enhance resumes and provide valuable Canadian work experience.

Part-time job experience included research work focused on HIV, other STI infections, and COVID-19 research, as well as coordinating a project in India.

Tailoring job applications improves the quality and success rate of job offers; shifting from sending mass applications to targeted, well-researched ones.

The importance of networking, tailored applications, and gaining relevant experience is emphasized for successful job searching, regardless of the location.

Transcripts

um I graduated with a BTS degree uh from

manipal and then I went on to study

master of science and public health from

uh Canada and from Mill University I

graduated in 2021 and I've been working

since then so my work focuses on public

health research and synthesizing

evidence for health policy and

guidelines um my interests are mly in

infectious diseases and in child and

maternal Health with a with from a

global Health perspective uh ma'am the

next question is how did you get a job

after your mph because you said that the

job options are great out there but then

job Mila is very difficult anyways so

what did you do and what can other

people do I used to work parttime so I

used to work parttime and um I've been

so okay so I started in 2019 September I

started working part in April 2020

graduated in June 2021 so I worked one

year part-time and as I and making a

mark in your part-time work can actually

help you gain a full-time job either

through references through your boss at

that time or the boss themselves

offering you a full-time job with them

if they have that opportunity so for me

that worked out um she offered me a

full-time job uh with her and I took

that because it was interesting it was

based in Cape Town um it was Global

health research um and it was very

relevant um so I went with that and that

helped me but for my second job um after

this program after this project got over

I had to look for a second job and what

I did not anticipate was the amount of

time it would take for me to get a

second job so I started applying at the

end of my first job and then I was I

didn't I was without job for like 2 to 4

months after that because it does take

that much time it can take on an average

about 6 months to get the right job um

this I know because I went to an

employment um services like a a

government employment services provider

and I spoke to them and I was like I was

very distraught because I was not

getting a job for a long time and I was

like I'm not getting a job what do I do

they're like this is normal for you have

the amount of applications you've sent

out and the amount of interviews you've

gotten is actually pretty good and this

much time is is usual it just take time

especially because you're a recent

graduate so um what really works

is applying for the right job number one

tailoring not just your cover letter but

also your resume for that job you need

to edit out things in the resume um or

add in things expand on certain things

that is more relevant to that particular

job for example I worked um I worked on

a systematic review for Hepatitis C okay

and this program was all about Hepatitis

C so then I had to expand more about

this project on my symatic review on

hepatitis C and I had to cut down the

focus on the other projects that I have

done right other than other than other

than if it's relevant or not relevant

for example if it says that I need

teamwork then I would say that I

collaborated with these these many

people or that my team consisted of

these these many people and you know

things like that or I led a team or I

led a meeting with these many people so

it it it really matters on how you

tailor your resume and your cover letter

and once I started doing that I started

getting more interviews I started

getting more jobs job offers so really

helps and uh one last thing is

networking networking helps a lot um I

had a few people working in few

institutions and so when I was I was

applying to a certain institution and

they ask you that were you refer to this

job through someone working already in

this institution and I could say yes I

have to ask that person of course can I

include you as my reference and they

would say yes and I can include that

person's name so that gets you an

additional point an additional bonus

point also having references helps in a

way that if they think of someone if

they get if they come across a job

opportunity and they think that oh but

she was looking for a job and I think

she might be a great fit for it let me

forward this job to her or let me let me

inform this person that there is a

person that might fit this job so that

kind of networking really helps I have

reached out to people I have never

spoken to before um just to connect with

them conducting informational interviews

with them asking them how they reach

that particular Point um and and just

you know just constantly being in touch

with them these small small things help

a lot this is something that I say

constantly no matter where you're

finding a job whether it's in India or

it's in Canada these are the few steps

that see because finding a job no matter

where you are no matter what amount of

experience you have it's still going to

be that amount difficult because let's

say

experience the higher you have

experience the more you move up the

manag ladder the lesser the jobs become

so anyways that is very difficult and

the things that you've said about

networking keeping in touch taking

interviews that's something which I

constantly recommend to everyone and to

everyone listening to this no matter

what job you're looking for but this is

something which is constant in every

podcast I've done D sir sankalp sir ji

ma'am J podcast I will be releasing then

I did another podcast with someone who's

doing her own freelancing thing but she

also built her network she built her

clients based by networking so I think

networking is very important and I love

to stress on this fact I cannot stress

on this more that's why so much emphasis

on it and um this is something I learned

through experience though like I I

started off by sending in one resume one

cover letter and she's changing the name

of the person it's assigned to the name

of the company I started off from there

and applying to like 30 jobs in 2 days

to taking two 2 days to apply to one job

tailoring everything reaching out to

people doing my research and then

applying and you know and then it was

like 10 applications and three

interviews so you know this this this is

different like you understand the the

quality of your application really helps

in getting you the job definitely

definitely ma'am in fact the thing is

let's say as starters when you're making

a career switch things are relatively

more um you know you can do the thing

where you don't tailor it as much

because you don't have a lot of skill

sets but when you have a single Focus

skill set in a single field this is the

quality of the application I think

matters more than anything else when

you're sending in so that that actually

is something which I will make a

separate video on right from this

podcast so that people can get an idea

okay so ma'am um what do colleges offer

campus placements or job fairs I know

there's nothing known as Camp campus

placements outside but can you just tell

us a bit more about it well some

universities or colleges have job fairs

definitely I know University of Toronto

had a job fair um I know some colleges

in Ontario had job fairs um where

companies such as astroica or uh Moda

would come you know and and and uh like

a lot of companies and a lot of Health

companies uh do offer their job fairs

sometimes a particular institution

itself will have their own job fair uh

so there are job fairs but there is some

nothing called as campus placement there

is for I have at least I'm yet to come

across a university or colleges colle

college that offers campus placement

they are not responsible for you getting

your job um but what they do is at least

my college what what they did was they

forward every uh job opportunity that

they come across even after I've

graduated I still come across a lot of

job opportunities they keep emailing us

their job opportuni so it's always nice

that um if they come across something

that I'm not aware of I do get that in

my emails at least that's a that's a

good thing to have your college support

you through the process because not

everyone has that outside so that's a

huge thing that's there so ma'am uh the

next question that I have for you is

what is the average salary of an MB

graduate in Canada freshers as well as

experience and does the salary increase

if you have some amount of work prior

work

experience um okay so on an average a

recent graduate can earn anywhere

between $45,000 per year to about

$80,000 per year depends on where you're

working what kind of job it is um and

also depends on your previous experience

of course um but for us Indians we com

coming from India to and going to Canada

um the Indian experience does not always

count for a lot okay so it's not

necessary that if you have say one or

two years of Indian experience you will

that experience will always get counted

it doesn't mean that it may or may not

get counted but definitely

um having gaining that experience during

your education can help so for example

for me I I was working part-time for a

year before I could graduate and before

I could start my full-time job so that

part-time experience really helped and

it helps to add that to your CV because

you have some kind of Canadian

experience at that point so

um that Canadian experience really gives

you more of a push as compared to the

Indian education even the part-time

experience even the part-time experience

yes and most people I know in fact most

people I know used to work parttime

while doing their um Masters and most of

them worked in public health so that

really helped their um strengthen their

CV in their application okay and ma'am

what what were you doing in your

part-time experience like what because

there are a lot of different part-time

jobs that people can do but what were

you doing particularly my resear I was

doing research work and it was focused

on HIV and uh other SDI infections such

as CV hepatitis C um hepatitis no

syphilis and goria and then also some on

covid-19 research and um what else was I

doing and I was also helping coordinate

a project in India yeah okay got it

okay so um ma'am another thing which

again came when you were talking about

this do um