The Perspectives of Public Health Students at Semnan University of Medical Sciences on Their Study Field and Future Career Opportunity in 2017: A Short Report

The number of students in higher learning has increased due to the expansion of academic institutions. Many students are concerned about their study and future career. The purpose of this study was to identify students̕ perspectives and attitudes toward their public health education and future career opportunity.
In a cross-sectional study, 62 students in public health were entered the study through census method. Students answered a questionnaire developed by Minnesota University including 17 questions on demographics and students̕ perspectives and attitudes. One-way ANOVA, t-test, and chi-square test were used for data analysis.
The mean and standard deviation of age of students was 21.39±1.26 years. A high proportion of participants were female students (87.1%). The findings revealed the average scores of students perceptions on their field of study and future career opportunity rated 53.19±8.81. While over half of students (56.5%) reported positive perception towards their public health educational and training experience, most of them indicated negative perception concerning career opportunity in the future (54.8%).
According to the findings, around half of students had negative perspectives towards their field of study and future career. Assessing students̕ perspectives concerning their education and future career may help faculties and authorities to propose effective planning.