How to Answer: What made you choose to become an Epidemiologist?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Epidemiologist job interview.
16. What made you choose to become an Epidemiologist?
How to Answer
This question is similar to 'tell us about yourself. The interviewer is asking you this question to hear a bit more about you. Keep your response relevant and work-related. You can choose to tell a quick story that relates to why you chose to enter the public health career field. The great thing about this question is that you can really show your passion for the career field. Show the interviewer that you're good at your job and love coming to work each day.
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
"As you see, I was a dentist in Bangladesh. Since then, I always wanted to learn about the situation when an epidemic occurs. For example, how does the health department handle the situation like Dengue fever or Ebola? How do they plan or work? I wanted to learn & that's why I choose to become an epidemiologist."
Rachelle's Feedback
Learning and growing your knowledge are excellent reasons to pivot your healthcare-related interests. Your passion for epidemiology seems very genuine, which the interviewer should appreciate. I have offered a slight revision below.
"I was a dentist in Bangladesh. Since becoming a medical professional, I have always wanted to learn more about epidemics and what occurs when an epidemic arises. For instance, how does the health department handle a situation like Dengue fever or Ebola? How do they plan their approach and their work? I wanted to continue to learn and be challenged, which is why I chose to become an epidemiologist."
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Anonymous Answer
"I like making things simpler as much as possible using innovation. I found epidemiologists to be the fit for my career, there are aspects of acting as a disease investigator, setting up novel resources or surveillance systems, and communicating the results in the most simple and effective way possible to the public."
Marcie's Feedback
Do you enjoy investigating diseases, setting up surveillance systems, and communicating the results to the public? Why are you interested in doing this? Are you passionate about helping protect people from diseases? Are you intrigued by using data to make an impact in people's lives? Really let your passion shine through here so the interviewer can see why this career path is the right one for you. Don't hold back! Talk about everything you like and what inspires you to do this.