Many master’s degrees in public health are designed with practicums. These course requirements are made to help students acquire and practice the skills that they will need in their future job position. Each student will often have a different practicum that is designed to meet their career goals. Throughout the process, the student will be expected to demonstrate strong communication skills and the ability to apply evidence-based principles. While a practicum takes a significant amount of time and effort, it offers the student a number of useful benefits.

1. Acquire Public Health Experience

Getting a master’s degree is the first step toward a rewarding career. While the skills and knowledge gained from school are important, they are often not enough to obtain a job in the industry. To gain industry experience, many schools incorporate a practicum into their curriculum. With a practicum, the student can gain actual experience in public health practice. Later on, they can use this experience to get their first job in the field. Resource: 50 Most Affordable Online MPH Programs 2015

2. Networking

During the practicum, the student will work with a variety of professionals, experts and fellow students. Each of these connections is important for the student’s future. By doing the practicum, the student is able to enhance their professional network. Later on, the student’s network may help them to find a new job, gain a new reference or solve a problem at their work. Many job positions are filled before they are ever placed online, so it is important to develop a strong professional network to find out about these unlisted job positions.

3. Gain New Knowledge

The entire point of going to school is to learn new skills and knowledge. A practicum is designed to get the student actively engaged in the field. Instead of just learning public health concepts and theories, the student will actually be able to put their knowledge to work. Using these skills in the real world will help to solidify the student’s learning, and it may give them a new sense of motivation in their classes.

4. Develop New Skills

Only so many skills can be taught in a classroom. For many students, the real skills and abilities are learned on the ground. In a practicum, the student is able to put their knowledge to work and learn how to solve public health problems. Instead of knowing the theory behind different solutions, the student will actually learn how to solve the problem.

5. An Ideal Resume Booster

There are thousands of students graduating every year with a degree in public health. While there are many jobs available in the industry, these positions can be highly competitive. To ensure that the student has the best chance of finding their dream job, they need a resume that makes them stand out from the crowd. A practicum or an internship are both excellent ways to show an employer that the student is ready for the position. With time, students will be able to complete their master’s in public health and practicum. Once these goals are accomplished, the student can prepare for a rewarding career in public health. From solving real-world problems to conducting studies, there are a variety of different areas that the student can work in.

Explore More College Resources