Andrew Glass, MPH '22
Infection Preventionist
Samaritan Health Services
Epidemiology
Ask Andrew about the Oregon State MPH program.
Why did you choose Oregon State University to pursue your MPH degree?
It was partly the locale, being a PNW native it was important to be close to home. I also really appreciated the span of interests amongst faculty, and felt like I could really find my niche during my studies.
What was your most memorable experience in the MPH Program?
Making it through H513 and really feeling like there we were all in this together for the remainder of the program.Making it through H513 and really feeling like there we were all in this together for the remainder of the program.
If you were to recommend the MPH at Oregon State to a close friend, what would you tell them?
You won't find a friendlier, more compassion group of people than the ones who run the graduate program. I felt incredibly supported through the entire journey towards my MPH.
What were the most impactful 2 or 3 courses that you took during your MPH program? Why were they impactful?
Dr. Bethel's infectious disease epidemiology helped me to discover my passion within the field, and ultimately informed my career pursuits after graduation. Dr. Bae's class on health data analysis was a beautiful crash course into the messiness that is data, and what we can do to better work with it. It gave me valuable perspective in the reality of data outside the classroom, which I utilize every day.
What advice would you give current MPH students to get the most out of their program?
Reach out to professors about your passion, they are there to help you be successful. Every faculty member I spoke with had my interests in mind, and helped keep better realize my goals. I was very timid at first, but I always benefited talking with professors during office hours or otherwise.
How did you maintain study-work-life balance during school, and what advice do you have in this regard to current students?
It might feel silly but actually blocking out leisure time on your calendars is helpful. You cannot pour from an empty cup, make sure you book some downtime for yourself. If you anticipate hardship for whatever reason, be sure to communicate with people; you'll be surprised who may come to your aid.
What is the best part of your current job?
Getting to work with a multidisciplinary team, with the ultimate goal of promoting patient and employee safety.
What resources did you find most helpful during your job search?
I asked a *lot* of questions about career paths to my advisor, professors, internship preceptors, anyone who would listen. My biggest hurdle was knowing what was even out there for me to apply to, and I found a lot of helpful advice from those immediately around me.
What advice would you give current students as it relates to the job search?
Don't give up. The job market can be brutal, but keep the faith and something promising will inevitably come.