Employability and career experiences of international graduates of MSc Public Health: a mixed methods study

C Buunaaisie; A M Manyara; H Annett; E L Bird; I Bray; J Ige; M Jones; J Orme; P Pilkington; D Evans

doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2018.03.032

Employability and career experiences of international graduates of MSc Public Health: a mixed methods study

Public Health. 2018 Jul:160:62-69. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2018.03.032. Epub 2018 May 16.

Authors

C Buunaaisie¹, A M Manyara¹, H Annett¹, E L Bird¹, I Bray¹, J Ige¹, M Jones¹, J Orme¹, P Pilkington¹, D Evans²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health and Social Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK.
² Department of Health and Social Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK. Electronic address: David9.Evans@uwe.ac.uk.

PMID: 29751223
DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2018.03.032

Abstract

Objectives: This article aims to describe the public health career experiences of international graduates of a Master of Science in Public Health (MSc PH) programme and to contribute to developing the evidence base on international public health workforce capacity development.

Study design: A sequential mixed methods study was conducted between January 2017 and April 2017.

Methods: Ninety-seven international graduates of one UK university's MSc PH programme were invited to take part in an online survey followed by semistructured interviews, for respondents who consented to be interviewed. We computed the descriptive statistics of the quantitative data obtained, and qualitative data were thematically analysed.

Results: The response rate was 48.5%. Most respondents (63%) were employed by various agencies within 1 year after graduation. Others (15%) were at different stages of doctor of philosophy studies. Respondents reported enhanced roles after graduation in areas such as public health policy analysis (74%); planning, implementation and evaluation of public health interventions (74%); leadership roles (72%); and research (70%). The common perceived skills that were relevant to the respondents' present jobs were critical analysis (87%), multidisciplinary thinking (86%), demonstrating public health leadership skills (84%) and research (77%). Almost all respondents (90%) were confident in conducting research. Respondents recommended the provision of longer public health placement opportunities, elective courses on project management and advanced statistics, and 'internationalisation' of the programme's curriculum.

Conclusions: The study has revealed the relevance of higher education in public health in developing the career prospects and skills of graduates. International graduates of this MSc PH programme were satisfied with the relevance and impact of the skills they acquired during their studies. The outcomes of this study can be used for curriculum reformation. Employers' perspectives of the capabilities of these graduates, however, need further consideration.

Keywords: Alumni; Graduate; International; Public health.

MeSH terms

Adult
Career Mobility*
Curriculum
Education, Graduate*
Employment / statistics & numerical data*
Female
Foreign Professional Personnel / psychology*
Foreign Professional Personnel / statistics & numerical data
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Program Evaluation
Public Health / education*
Qualitative Research
Self Efficacy
Surveys and Questionnaires
United Kingdom
Young Adult