Graduated with a Master's: What's Next for My Career?

I finally officially graduated with my master's degree in public health last month! Yippee!

Now what do I do?

I've been perusing the job postings at many sites and have made quite a number of applications. One job I saw with Kaiser sounds like the dream job for an ostomate like me who irrigates every morning...the hours are 1 pm - 5 pm every day. Well, I applied for it with big hopes of getting an interview - then a day or two ago I saw the same job re-posted, but now with new qualifications: a certain number of years worked within the last 5 or 10 years! Well, that roundly pissed me off! So I sent in my resume again, now with a new cover letter (here it is in part):

...in addition to many years of experience in the field, I have faced my own experience with catastrophic illness, chronic condition management, palliative care, and "issues pertaining to death, disfigurement, and disability." While a Kaiser Permanente employee, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in October 2002. After initial surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, I was scheduled to return to work in April 2003. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with a recurrence and asked to resign my employment. I underwent many additional treatments, including what was then considered experimental - cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). This procedure has raised the 5-year survival rate for advanced colorectal cancer from 5% to 50% and is now offered by Kaiser surgeons in Northern California. After eight years, I am considered cured of colorectal cancer, with only a mild level of disability: a permanent colostomy.

After completion of treatment, and while recovering my health, I pursued a Master's degree in Public Health, Health Services Administration, Public Health Management, part-time at San Diego State University. I case-managed the care of my elderly parents, both of whom had dementia. My father had Alzheimer's Disease and died in March 2011 on hospice care. My mother has Vascular Dementia and is in placement. I managed all of their legal, financial, and personal care for over 3 years. In addition, I earned a certificate in Clinical Trials Administration from UC San Diego and have volunteered in cancer survivorship and advocacy activities.

I am disclosing this information to make you aware that I have kept current with the medical and social work fields, especially in oncology and chronic care. I have a unique perspective as a licensed professional, patient, and caregiver.

I hope you will recognize that although I have not been paid for my efforts since 2003, I have not been idle and can be an effective and enthusiastic asset to Kaiser Permanente.

Now the question is - did I go too far? I felt like I needed to take a chance at being right up-front so human resources wouldn't just round-file my application because I didn't have a paid job for so many years. Any input, anyone?

Wow... just wow! You not only proclaimed your brilliance, ability to meet a job head-on, with structure, organization, and enthusiasm but also strength and determination. I'd hire you in a heartbeat! That is unless I was a "slacker" and "highly intimidated" by your abilities! I wouldn't change a thing, buddy. You make me proud!
Best,

Pinky,

I agree entirely with BEG's assessment of you. However, personally I feel you are telling too much about your health situation. Employers will deny it up and down saying that they evaluate a person independent of health issues, but they lie. (Among other things, they look at health insurance costs and just how much time you will miss, etc.). Believe me. Remember, they are looking at your resume and not talking to you in person. This makes a difference. The purpose of your resume is to highlight your abilities and qualifications and to get you that all-important interview. What you choose to say on the interview is something else. You have to remember, you are dealing with a large number of other applicants for most likely a single position. You can rest assured that none of them is saying a thing about their health situation in their resumes. Good luck, Pinky. You will find something. Just give it a little more time.

X_

X is spot on, Pinky. BEG is too. BEG, however, is telling you what a decent human being would do while X is telling you how a bureaucrat would handle your application. Sure, you need to account for why you didn't work for so many years; but you have already done that by stating that your mother and father had serious issues needing your full-time support. Family comes first and people can relate to that. Any references to your own medical situation will only guarantee the circular file. Never telegraph what may be perceived as weaknesses or limitations. You are only restricting an organization's options if they hired you knowing this information. Don't shoot yourself in the foot. An honest application does not have to contain much beyond your qualifications and experience. Get in the door and do not volunteer unnecessary information. Good luck!

Thanks all for your comments. You are right, normally I would never put anything like this in a cover letter. I did it mostly to be daring and see if I could stir up some guilt on Kaiser's behalf (ha, ha). I never asked anything of them while I was ill and recuperating.
It irks me that so many employers don't even bother responding and just keep running their ads garnering more and more resumes. Guess that's the curse of online recruiting - it's super cheap for the employer (as opposed to good old-fashioned newspapers). I feel sometimes like I am just throwing my resume down a black hole online. I'm spoiled though - I was used to getting interviewed and offered most jobs I applied for (pre-cancer). You are right though when you say not to rush it - I don't have to. I'm in a secure living situation right now and have a (barely) adequate income. I need to use good judgment and be very picky about the job I accept even if it means waiting a while. Some people have asked why I even want to return to the rat race at all!
Thank you BEG, for your vote of confidence! I'm a BEG too :)

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

Did you ever get a reply to this letter? Meg

Yes, actually Kaiser sent me an e-mail (eventually) that they had filled the position with an internal candidate. I was surprised since I have received very few rejection notices and none otherwise from Kaiser. Most employers don't even bother to let you know they don't want you! :D