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Am J Epidemiol 2002; 156:60-67.
Copyright © 2002 by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

PRACTICE OF EPIDEMIOLOGY

Commentary: What Contributes to a Successful Career in Epidemiology in the United States?

Ross C. Brownson1, Jonathan M. Samet2 and Stephen B. Thacker3

1 Department of Community Health and Prevention Research Center, Saint Louis University School of Public Health, St. Louis, MO.
2 Department of Epidemiology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD.
3 Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.

The authors conducted a study examining perceived enabling factors and barriers to a successful career in epidemiology, the role of mentoring in facilitating one’s career, where graduates are most often being employed, and key competencies for future epidemiologic training. During June to August 2001, they surveyed senior epidemiologists across the United States (n = 248) in four sectors: state health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and schools of public health. The top enabling factors were dedication to hard work and having an intrinsic curiosity and a sense of discovery. The most frequently cited barrier was balancing career and family life, except among minority respondents, for whom an unsupportive supervisor was the leading obstacle. Influential characteristics of a mentor were high integrity and the provision of inspiration and encouragement. The top competencies anticipated for the next 10 years were skills working in multidisciplinary teams and in using modern information technologies. Important competencies varied somewhat according to work sector. These findings may be useful in training and career planning among aspiring epidemiologists and for educational policy development among organizations promoting training and mentoring.

career choice; epidemiology; mentors; public health; research support; training support

Abbreviations: Abbreviations: CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; EIS, Epidemic Intelligence Service; NCI, National Cancer Institute; NIH, National Institutes of Health.


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