Monica Hernandez

Prospecting for Gold

Part 1: Career Planning
General Area, Career Type, Jon
The general area that I wish to go into will be Health Care, the career type I
would like to be in is Pubic Health, or for a job, an Epidemiologist.
Typical Duties, responsibilities, Tasks, Activities Related to Job
An epidemiologist oversees public health programs including statistical
analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health
improvement. They also investigate diseases or parasites to determine causes and
risk factors, progress, life cycle or mode of transportation of any diseases while
planning and studying human or animal diseases, preventive methods and
treatments. Epidemiologists also plan, administer and evaluate health safety
standards and programs to improve public health, conferring with health
department, industry personnel, physicians and others. They also provide expertise
in the design, management and evaluation of study protocols and health status
questionnaires, sample selection and analysis and Conduct research to develop
methodologies, instrumentation and procedures for medical application, analyzing
data and presenting findings.
http://job-descriptions.careerplanner.com/epidemiologists.cfm
Typical Job Setting, Site or Location
The typical job setting for an epidemiologist is working for government
agencies at the local, state and federal levels. These professionals also work for
private research facilities, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and universities
depending on the location In the country.
http://www.innerbody.com/careers-in-health/becoming-epidemiologist.html
Job Qualifications (including requisite skill sets)
Most positions as an epidemiologist require at least a masters degree in of
public health, ideally with an emphasis in epidemiology. This course of study will
include coursework in biostatistics, behavioral studies, health services research and
administration, immunology, toxicology and more.
Epidemiologists must be excellent listeners, as fact-finding interviews are an
important part of their research. They must be critical thinkers, who can analyze
their findings, as well as recognize emergency situations when they arise. An
epidemiologist must be mathematically astute and proficient with statistical

analysis and data presentation software programs. Finally, good writing skills help
epidemiologists convey their conclusions and recommendations to the medical
industry and the general public.
http://www.innerbody.com/careers-in-health/becoming-epidemiologist.html
Salary Range and Opportunities for Advancement
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, epidemiologists earned a
median annual income of $66,330 but can range up to $111,000. Opportunities for
advancement such as an advanced degree (MD or PhD) enables epidemiologists to
work in larger facilities or to take on jobs with greater responsibilities and a higher
level of pay. A medical degree in particular will qualify an epidemiologist to
administer drugs during research studies and clinical trials; these positions tend to
be the highest paying and thus competition for them is keen.
http://www.innerbody.com/careers-in-health/becoming-epidemiologist.html
Job Prospects / Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth in the next 10 years
for epidemiologists is expected to increase at a rate of 24%. The Bureau of Labor
Statistics says that epidemiologists will continue to enjoy favorable job prospects in
the next decade. There are shortages reported in many states for professionals in
this field. A professional with a masters degree in public health will have a very
much in demand skillset in these areas.
http://mphprogramslist.com/careers/epidemiologist-career-salary-outlook/
Education Requirements (Majors, Degrees)
Most will have a bachelors in a related science field and a masters degree in
epidemiology however recently, it is highly desirable to have a masters degree in
public health. There will also need training in biology and statistics, stress multiple
regression, medical informatics, focus on biomedical research and application of
collected data.
http://mphprogramslist.com/careers/epidemiologist-career-salary-outlook/
Additional Special Licenses, Certifications, Training, Association
Memberships, Patents, Published Work, Internship / Apprenticeships,
Experience
Training occurs on the job and the duration depends upon the position and
the epidemiologists previous experience. Epidemiologists can advance their careers
with continuing education and certification programs offered through the
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. The Certification

Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC) provides voluntary

certification for professionals who work within the infection control industry.
http://www.innerbody.com/careers-in-health/becoming-epidemiologist.html
http://www.ok.gov/opm/jfd/x-specs/x27.htm

Part 2: Income and Living Situation

Influence of Core Values

At this moment in 5 years, I will be driving towards the university to help

bring in more education and knowledge in Public Health, working towards
getting a Masters degree. Around this time I will also be working in a health
center facility such as a clinic either as an assistant or a researcher. I will be
living in an apartment, taking care of my own expenses close to my family.
Somewhere close to work and the university to have a short commute.

Prospective Salary (5 Years out of college)

For a year, I could potentially make between $37,000 to 55,000 depending on

the career at the time. I will be going towards school to work towards getting
a masters degree to work as an Epidemiologist so this would be a starting
Gross/Net. The insurance at the time could range between $3,540 to $4,000
over the entire year that includes health, car and apartment insurance. The
biggest plan for retirement would be to pay my Social Security and Medicare.
I would also like to see if there is a program in any facility I go to and see if
the 401 (K) is available to me.

City of Residence, Employment Site,

During the next 5 years I will still be staying in Phoenix, Arizona around the
downtown or suburbs area. I would be looking for employment at Maricopa
Integrated Health Services, St. Josephs Hospital or Maricopa Department of
Health Services.

Type of Residence, Size and Composition of Household

Renting an apartment that is roughly 10 miles away from the Arizona State
University Downtown Phoenix Campus, away from my familys household and
away from any choice of work available. So far I would be living alone but
with a chance of having a roommate/friend at any given time. There would
only be myself and if possible one other person living with me, so roughly two

occupants in the apartments in 5 years. The benefit of having a roommate/

friend with me would be having a smaller rent payment at the end of the
month which helps in financial savings. This also gives me a chance to have
be close to my family without having a long distance between us, being able
to visit any time I am able too. Id be able to have the support of my friends
and family with me.
Other Expense Consideration (also included in budget)

Utilities, at the time of renting an apartment in 5 years, the cost of total

utilities would be on average of a total year $1,100 including water,
electricity/gas and disposal. With internet and cable services I would be
spending $1,200 a year. Having a phone would be $960 a year. Medical costs
such as contacts and prescriptions for the entire year would be $600. Mode of
transportation would be paying for parking, gas, insurance, registration and
maintenance for the entire year comes out to $2,800
The majority of food would come from eating at work or in the universities.
Any other time would be at home so groceries would amount to $1,500 just in
the apartment over the year.
Misc of personal care, hygiene, clothing, entertainment, and household
maintenance over the entire year could amount to $2,500 or $195 a month
including all misc. http://www.onlinemastersinpublichealth.com/public-healthjobs/