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The GovGuru Answers Your Career Questions

Chris McConnell | GovCentral
You can read GovGuru every Thursday on GovCentral. Send your government career questions to info@govcentral.com with the subject line “Ask GovGuru”.
I am a Master Student in Health Policy and Management graduating in June 2010, and I am a huge fan of Uncle Sam and would LOVE to have a life-long career in the federal government. But what worries me is that my training does not seem to give me a specialized skill set like epidemiology or environmental health do. Which agencies would you suggest me to start with? Many thanks, DF
A Master’s degree, whatever it is, can open up a lot of opportunity’s in the federal government. Here are a few agencies and offices that seem to be right up your alley with a Masters in Health Policy and Management.

USDA
Center for Disease Control & Prevention
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has also created the Office of Health Reform, that is responsible for leading the department’s efforts in the current health care reform debate.
Beyond Uncle Sam, there are also numerous non-profit’s, research organizations, and foundations like the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente) that create best practices for health policy.
Before you graduate, look for an internship with a federal agency next summer. Yes, a job would be nice and should be a priority, but you’re probably a poor Grad student. A few extra months of beans and rice is worth getting your foot in the door.