Problems, mentors, and rocket ships: Advice for a successful career in global health

Inspiring. Invigorating. Though-provoking. These are just few of the words that can be used to describe this year’s Global Health Retreat, which brought together McMaster University, Faculty of Health Sciences leading global health professionals to exchange ideas and expertise. The two of us, alongside students from the Global Health Program had the privilege of volunteering as discussion facilitators and to learn from thought-leaders. The event featured insightful remarks about the future of global health by Dr. Peter Singer, Former Special Advisor to the Director General of the World Health Organization and co-founder Grand Challenge & University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics. As students, we were particularly inspired by his advice on a career in global health. His tips were three-fold: identify the problem that speaks to you, find mentors, and attach yourself to a ‘rocketship’.

In the field of global health, we are faced with numerous complex and interconnected challenges that can sometimes feel overwhelming. As students, we have often wondered where to start our journey in global health research, and we know our peers in the Global Health Program have also contended with this question. Dr. Singer suggests that we think about our research in terms of a current and relevant problem that we would like to solve and to start by reflecting on our motivators, strengths, and resources. Additionally, that our impact does not need to be revolutionary but can contribute to the larger goal of building a more equitable and sustainable global community. After hearing these comments Maia Collins, MSc in Global Health student, reflected that, “having the courage to take chances while following your passion is something we can all do not just in our careers but in our everyday lives.”

Global health is a field that is continually changing, and as a novice, it can be easy to feel lost. Highlighting the importance of finding a mentor to navigate this field, Dr. Singer advised that a mentor can be someone who inspires us or that we consider a role model. Talking to mentors about their experiences and listening to their guidance can help students and young professionals build our own paths in global health.

Mentors can also help us find a “rocketship” and connect us with people working in areas that are beyond what we thought was possible. Dr. Singer shared that folks in this sector often find themselves working in unexpected fields, organizations, or projects that may not have been planned in their career goals initially, but that suited their interests and had a need for their skills. Knowing that finding your “rocketship” is something that can happen at any point in our journey, and can even change your direction, provides hope for those of us who may be unsure of our path in global health

This piece of advice also resonated strongly with our fellow retreat volunteer Maia Collins, as she reflected, “it’s only been one month into the Global Health Program, and there’s already been a vast number of opportunities presented to me and my peers for involvement. With so many options, it’s important to give yourself time to think and evaluate, but fear of moving forward can be a strong hindrance. Sometimes, you just have to take the leap, hop on the ship, and see where things go.”

The Global Health Retreat was a call-to-action for all of us: find out where you are needed, because the world does in fact need you. Reflecting on Dr. Singers advice, MSc in Global Health student Sydney Raduy said that, “Dr. Singer’s advice was extremely influential and resembled a sense of optimism for ways to pursue your aspirations in life, no matter the field that may be in. I found that his simple yet open-minded approach to achieving one’s goals had sparked a new-found perspective on ways to remain motivated and determined despite all odds”.

Today’s world is increasingly facing challenges and crises on an existential scale, and we have often discussed with classmates how depressing our classes can sometimes feel. And yet, in the face of these dire circumstances, we can find hope in the study and praxis of equity-informed global health work. We can examine issues critically and identify the problems we want to solve, we can seek the guidance of mentors, and we can look around at the successful efforts of passionate people around the world that are taking off and launching humanity to new heights. Underscoring all these points is the very purpose of events such as the Global Health Retreat: coming together as a community to learn from each other and share our ideas, hopes, and dreams for the future.