It has been a tough academic journey, and for every time someone told me, "I'm not good enough" or "public health isn't for you," it drove me to challenge myself to learn more, grow as a public health professional and be a leader in the public health community that I know I can be.
I am currently acting as an Associate Director of Public Health in Tower Hamlets, responsible for the healthy environments agenda, including child healthy weight. My team's role is to influence others working across the built, natural, and social environments to achieve health equity for our residents. Once again, I feel fortunate to have had a line manager and a director who have given me time, funding, knowledge, and a lot of support to help me continue my developmental journey, for which I am very grateful.
After completing my MSc, I have continued to return to BSMS to do continual professional development modules, including Health Promotion and Behaviour Change, Commissioning for Quality Healthcare, and Essential Statistics. The flexible approach to learning has enabled me to pick up modules to help with personal growth.
In 2024, I was accepted onto the UKPHR’s Specialist Registration by Portfolio Assessment (SRbPA) registration and I would not have been accepted without having a firm foundation in public health knowledge, which I gained at BSMS.
Entering public health is now more competitive than ever. As I shortlist for jobs in my team, almost everyone has an MSc in Public Health, but not everyone has experience working in public health. You do not need to work in a traditional public health team or role to gain this experience; there are many opportunities within the voluntary community sector to gain experience and grow as a public health professional.
You will need a Master's degree to work at senior levels in Public Health, but a Master's is expensive, consider when best to make this investment. Our more junior roles do not require a Master's degree; a BSc or even equivalent experience is required.
My advice to anyone joining public health is to build your network. University can be a great time to do that. Public Health is a small world, and your paths will cross. It has been great to see the people I studied with grow in their careers to become leaders in public health.
"You will never make it in Public Health, Matthew, without a Master's degree!" Probably the best advice I have ever received.
Find out more about our MSc in Public Health