“The MPH allowed me to build on my health knowledge and scientific research skills through tailored subjects that would set me up for a career in public health practice. My scientific knowledge and reasoning, as well as my skills in health policy and program evaluation and design, have been invaluable to my career working on high-priority public health projects and policies at the Victorian Department of Health.”
Motivated by a vision of contributing to public health at the state level, Claudia Fayad pursued the Master of Public Health (MPH) with a specialisation in Health Policy, Systems, and Practice. Currently, as a Senior Policy Officer at the Victorian Department of Health, she is actively applying her practical skills gained through the MPH, working on impactful projects aimed at enhancing the well-being of individuals and communities.
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Why did you decide to study at the University of Melbourne?
I began studying at university immediately after high school.
The breadth of subjects available in the Bachelor of Science really appealed to me as I was able to combine my love for science with my passion for sustainable development and population health.
I honed in on these passions during post graduate study, where I completed a Master of Public Health. The MPH allowed me to build on my health knowledge and scientific research skills through tailored subjects that would set me up for a career in public health practice.
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What do you like most about your studies at the University of Melbourne?
Studying my Bachelor of Science, I loved the plethora of elective subjects that were available for study alongside core components. This allowed me to undertake community and population health subjects along with core subjects in my Pathology major.
Studying my Master of Public Health I found the practical component the most exciting because it provided an opportunity for me to apply all the skills I had learnt in my undergraduate and post-graduate degrees to a high-priority public health project in a real-life setting. I developed sound research and critical thinking skills during my degrees. My scientific knowledge and reasoning, as well as my skills in health policy and program evaluation and design, have been invaluable to my career working on high-priority public health projects and policies at the Victorian Department of Health.
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What have been the best things about studying the Master of Public Health at the University of Melbourne?
Having come in as a Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholar, I was provided with a myriad of support and opportunity to expand my academic and personal horizons during my undergraduate degree. While my post graduate degree was undertaken online, I enjoyed the opportunity to meet and collaborate with other Master of Public Health students on group assignments, shared placement opportunities and online social events and activities.
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What kinds of work integrated learning, practical experience or academic enrichment activities did you participate in your studies, and how did they impact your development?
In my final year of the Bachelor of Science, I undertook a semester of research with a team of exceptional scientists in a lung disease research laboratory. This experience not only refined my skills in research and analysis, but also elevated my ability to cooperate with others to achieve a desired goal, which has been invaluable to my career as a public health professional.
During my masters, I undertook a placement at the Victorian Department of Health and worked on a high priority project that would impact the lives of all Victorians. Having the opportunity to apply my skills in research and population health to such a complex reform was the highlight of my master's degree. It also provided an entryway to a career at the Victorian Department of Health, which I am grateful for.
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What goals did you set yourself before starting the course, and have you achieved these?
Before studying at university, I knew that I wanted to impact change on a large scale to improve people’s lives. Following my first year at university, I had a goal to apply myself as much as possible to ensure I had several options available for post-graduate study to do this. A proud moment I had was when I landed on the Dean’s Honours List for scoring in the top 3% of my undergraduate cohort in the final year of my Bachelor of Science. This set me in good stead, and I continued to achieve throughout my masters until I finally landed my dream job working for the State Government as a public health professional.
My goal is to continue improving the lives of Victorians, especially marginalised and underrepresented groups, and provide them with every possible opportunity to achieve good health and wellbeing.
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Where are you currently working and what is your position title/role?
I am currently working as a Senior Policy Officer at the Victorian Department of Health. I have worked across a range of projects at the Department, from COVID behaviour and engagement strategies to public intoxication reforms, to improving cultural safety in emergency departments and now working with hospitals to enhance their planned surgery performance. I love the breadth that my job offers me and the impact that I get to make on a population level through the development of health programs and policies. My courses prepared me to be job ready through the development of soft and technical skills learnt throughout my placements and theoretical study.
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What advice do you have for future and current students who are interested in studying this course and pursuing a similar career?
Networking through placement opportunities, classes and extracurricular activities is pivotal for securing a career in public health. Having a passion to make a change and improve the lives of others is important to drive you in this career. Find your passion and use it to drive meaningful change.
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What inspires you?
I am inspired constantly by the people who came before me, particularly women of colour who have paved the way for understanding and responding to marginalised groups through an intersectional lens. I am also inspired by fearless advocates and people who have shaken the status quo to impact change.