PHSO & MPH Alumni Group Host Networking Event
On October 17, 2024, the Public Health Student Organization (PHSO) and the Wayne State University Master of Public Health (WSU MPH) Alumni Group hosted a networking event in collaboration with the WSU MPH Program. The event brought current WSU MPH students and MPH Program alumni working in various public health fields together for a night of connection and shared purpose at the Integrative Biosciences Center (IBio).
The event began by offering attendees a chance to mingle in a relaxed setting, promoting open conversations about the evolving public health landscape while sharing dinner. After dinner, the alumni introduced themselves by briefly describing their current job and their career paths leading them to this role. Students listened to real-world applications of a public health career and the positive impacts that Master of Public Health graduates have on communities. These stories highlighted the broad scope and versatility of the MPH degree while inspiring students to envision their career paths. After sharing their career journey, the event transitioned to smaller, focused groups allowing students to engage more intimately with alumni. In these breakout sessions, students posed questions about navigating the job market, gathered tips and tricks for establishing a public health career, and sought guidance on transitioning from graduate school to professional life. Students and alumni alike found this event a supportive environment for meaningful conversations and practical advice tailored to students’ aspirations, making it an invaluable experience for all involved.
Summer Sitler and Sarah Eringaard, Co-Presidents of the PHSO and participants at the event, stated it was an honor to be part of the event planning committee. They found the experience to be to be incredibly rewarding noting the teamwork of the networking committee and seeing students and alumni come together for meaningful and impactful conversations to be highlights of the experience. They found this networking event truly demonstrated the robustness of the WSU public health community and underscored the significant advantages of networking. They look forward to returning as alumni to offer the same support, connection, and opportunities to the next generation of public health graduates at Wayne State University.
The students who attended the event agreed with their PHSO leaders. The majority of students (92%) described the event as “very good” or “excellent” with most (67%) finding the event “very conducive” for having meaningful interactions with alumni. All (100%) of the students were satisfied with the networking opportunity the event provided and would attend a future MPH student and alumni networking event. Suggestions for future events included: alumni presentations of their work, panel discussions with public health officials, public health and related topical discussions, and more student and alumni networking events in general.
MPH Students networking during dinner
Alumni and students engage in small group discussions
