Centivis and University of Lucerne students from the Health Economics, Policy major
On 27 October, Centivis delivered a two-hour lecture on market access and health economics to students in the Health Economics and Policy major at the University of Lucerne.
We undertook this as an ongoing effort give back to the community and help students understand how their academic learnings would apply to practical work settings.
We introduced theoretical health economic concepts, discussed health policy and case studies in real-life settings.
The session also gave us some insights into the thoughts and concerns of budding health economics and market access talents. We asked them a few questions:
Which sector would you like to work in?
Top votes went to pharma, policy and hospitals.
What are you looking for in a job?
Surprisingly, not many answered in terms of remuneration. Rather, many students looked for intangibles such as personal development and appreciation.
When it came to students’ concerns, one of them was: How do I link my Master’s thesis to my job search?
Find a thesis topic that you are interested in. Doing a thesis gives you a chance to understand a topic and reach out to working individuals in the field.
Make sure you can explain your thesis simply and clearly. Real life work in industry and consultancy is often more fast-paced than doing an MSc thesis. A good candidate will not only demonstrate a grasp of his/her thesis content, but he/she must know how to explain what he has done logically and succinctly to different stakeholders with various knowledge levels.
Any job search tips?
Network, network, network: You make your own luck
Keep an open mind: Your ideal job may not be what you think it is, career paths are often not direct. People take a zig zag path.
Don’t be a sniper: Apply for an array of jobs that you are interested in, do not wait to find the perfect job.
Don’t take rejection personally: You may not be the right fit for the company, or it may not the right time. Keep your chin up and continue the search.
Enjoy the process!: Learn new skills, networking, a new language, and appreciate the mentors you meet along the way.