Given the change of course that has happened in the world, we wanted to provide expert opinions on what aspiring graduates can do to start off their careers in an uncertain economic climate. We wanted to know what skills will be more important, where the economy is doing relatively well, and if there will be any lasting effects on the job market.
Companies are looking for candidates that can handle the new responsibilities of the job market. Recent graduates actually have an advantage because they are comfortable using newer technologies and have been communicating virtually their whole lives. They can take what they've learned and apply it immediately.
We spoke to professors and experts from several universities and companies to get their opinions on where the job market for recent graduates is heading, as well as how young graduates entering the industry can be adequately prepared. Here are their thoughts.
In your opinion, what are the biggest trends we'll see in the job market given the pandemic?
Sandie Ha Ph.D.: In recent decades, the field of public health enjoyed rather successful efforts to prevent infectious diseases (e.g., better sanitation, vaccination, antibiotics, nutrition, improved environmental/occupational health, etc). However, the pandemic reminds us the importance of the resurgence/emergence of infectious disease. Such crisis highlighted the demands for expertise in public health and specific topics including emergency/crisis management, health services/management, and infectious disease epidemiology. It also helped us further realize the increasing importance of mental health, health equity, health communication/education, and telehealth. In addition, given the many unanswered questions about the health impacts of COVID19 (and many other health outcomes) at the population level, there is already a big need to link and analyze large population-based data. As such, data science, bioinformatics, epidemiology, and biostatistics will be increasingly important moving forward.
Lastly, with the sudden transition to remote work, many people are now facing work-related health issues due to the lack of ergonomic furniture/equipment at home. It is likely that remote work will expand, and there is going to be an increased demand for expertise in occupational health to understand and device creative solutions for these new occupational challenges.
What skills stand out on resumes?
Sandie Ha Ph.D.: The answer to this question depends on the position an applicant is targeting. It is important that the applicant examines the job description and preferred qualifications section carefully, and prepare their resume using the exact action verb on these sections. Regardless of position and sector, below are some skills that are important to highlight (it is best accompanied with concrete examples).
Soft skills
- Time/task management
- Teamwork and collaboration (with healthcare workers and/or policy makers)
- Leadership/taking initiatives
- Critical thinking and problem solving
Technical skills
- Data collection, management, and analysis
- Communication (writing, oral, interpersonal)
- Laboratory work
- Needs assessment
- Program development, management, and evaluation
- Community-based participatory research
For students who will be graduating soon, here is something you can do now to prepare yourself. First, go to go a search engine and type in your ideal job title. Then, examine the job description and preferred qualification section to see which skills you may be lacking. This will give you an idea on which skills you should develop further, perhaps by taking an additional class, getting some internship experience, or even volunteering.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Sandie Ha Ph.D.: This depends on the targeted job sector: private industry, non-profit organization, academia, or government (federal, state, local). Most geographic areas in the US are now projected to have population growth. This, coupled with the COVID19 crisis, highlights the importance, and needs for more public health jobs. Thus, it would make sense that public health jobs will generally grow, but this also depends on the availability of funding at the federal, state and local levels. Public health jobs are typically available throughout the country but are more concentrated in populous metropolitans, and areas with federal agencies (e.g., MD/DC/VA area; Atlanta, GA; Research Triangle, NC), state capitals, large academic/research institutions, non-profit organizations, and/or large regional medical centers.
The COVID crisis will likely have an impact on work opportunities for upcoming graduates. It is difficult to predict the exact impact but the movement to remote work will likely continue to expand for many public health related jobs. Thus, it is possible that location will become less of a determining factor when one makes work decisions.
