Kate Gilbert

Master of Public Health

What were you doing before you became a student at The School of Population Health?

I was managing the establishment of a new chronic disease program in a community health service when I commenced.  I am now working with the Department of Human Service's Primary Health Branch supporting others to implement new chronic disease programs and initiatives, especially in rural and regional areas.

What made you apply for your course?

Coming from a generalist/Arts undergraduate training and after working for a number of years in different parts of the health sector, I was looking for an opportunity to develop and consolidate skills that I need in the field - the MPH allowed me to do that.  It didn't assume scientific/health professional/medical training, but moved fast through the basics in subjects like Epidemiology and Health Promotion where I hadn’t formally studied but had practically learnt a lot of the materials through work experience.

The Master of Public Health being a collaborative from 4 Universities was also appealing; it meant larger class sizes with many interesting people to meet, and excellent academic staff drawn from any number of organisations affiliated with the 4 Universities.

I chose to enrol in the University of Melbourne both because I was familiar with it having done my Undergrad here, and for the convenience of the inner city location and the quality of the facilities.

Any advice for new students?

Each subject is more work and more intense than I would have expected, but choose subjects/streams well and it will be extremely enriching and exciting experience.