careers in public health

careers in public health

Careers in Public Health

1. Introduction to Public Health Careers

The University of South Carolina’s Arnold School offers graduate degrees in environmental health, epidemiology, biostatistics, health services policy and management, and exercise science. Public health is one of the biggest growth industries in the health and fitness fields. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 30 percent of the employees are eligible for retirement in 5-7 years. Add to that those who have a variety of career options and an extended life expectancy.

Public health incorporates a wide variety of career alternatives, starting from epidemiologists who study disease patterns, collect and analyze data to determine the causes of diseases and injuries in the community, to statisticians, health educators, and administrators. Although it is possible to enter the public health workforce with only an undergraduate degree in the twenty-first century, an advanced degree in public health, medicine (in specific cases), nursing, or social work is typically preferred. Step by step, we see advanced degrees becoming the standard for more positions in public health.

Review of Public Health and Healthcare

2. Education and Training Requirements

There is a wide variation in educational, training, and professional requirements within the field of public health. Graduates with a baccalaureate degree may have limited opportunities, although in the past decade the job market for undergraduates has been increasing. However, prospective public health workers with a strong commitment to the field should seriously consider pursuing at least a master’s degree. Some career options are only available to individuals with a graduate degree, while having one can qualify individuals for better positions and higher wages, and make them more competitive in the job market. For most research, teaching, and clinical care positions, a doctorate is necessary. Those considering a career as a college or university professor, health services researcher, or senior public health official should obtain a graduate-level education in a field of public health. Those interested in helping to advance the scientific foundations of the field or analysis of specific public health issues should pursue a doctorate in a public health related field. Typically medical training is required in order to become a licensed physician, or a dentist, and can also be useful for a veterinarian and an array of other public health practice careers. Cost and career goals should be taken into account when deciding on education and professional training. A broad array of colleges and universities, as well as online schools, offer public health degrees. Prospective students should look for a program which is accredited and listed by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The CEPH is an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools of public health and public health programs offered in an academic setting. One can consult the CEPH website to determine if a school or program is accredited. Different careers may require a different area of specialty. Undergraduate degrees can range from Bachelor of Science programs in health sciences, biology, and/or behavioral science. Graduate level public health degrees can come in a variety of forms and it is important to know which degree will be most efficient for the career or job one is interested in. It is also possible to obtain a degree in a related field and then do some postgraduate study in order to get a degree in public health. This can allow for lateral entry into career options in public health.

3. Job Opportunities in Public Health

There are many job opportunities in public health, particularly in the government. The Institute of Medicine report on the future of public health suggested that all public health students be educated in a governmental health agency. This is in part because the United States’ public health system is in great need of help from the country’s best and brightest. While the report also suggested that education for all students in public health issues could be fulfilled largely through a government agency, a career of public service can also be very rewarding in and of itself. Public health jobs in government agencies and non-profit organizations often allow professionals to work at the local level in sustainability, environmental efforts, or working with disadvantaged populations. These are efforts to fix problems in the communities where they happen, and the results of a successful effort in these areas can be a joy to behold.

Public health is a rewarding career field with many different opportunities. Some public health programs, such as those in developing countries, are small or volunteer-based, and some are even being shut down. But many others are large, complex efforts to make a real difference in the world. The success of these programs often depends on the professionals whose job it is to protect and improve the public’s health. Because of this, the job market in public health is a seller’s market, in which employers, presented with too many candidates and too few professionals, can pay lower wages and offer higher benefits and perks.

4. Advantages of Pursuing a Career in Public Health

There are many potential advantages to pursuing a career in public health. Among these are: Intellectual stimulation. Public health offers many intellectually stimulating opportunities for those who are interested in problem solving, issues of evidence, science and research, and using knowledge to impact the health of populations. The realm of public health is vast and finding innovative solutions to problems often requires thinking outside of the box and interdisciplinary work which leads me to my next point. Interdisciplinary work. Public health is rarely about working in isolation. Finding solutions to complex problems such as the obesity epidemic, climate change, or healthcare reform requires pooling the knowledge and efforts of individuals from diverse fields and professions. If you are someone who can get along with many different types of people and are interested in fields outside the realm of medicine, public health is an excellent forum in which to apply these social and problem-solving skills. This is especially the case for public health generalists.

5. Conclusion

The underlying message of this book is that public health is a broad field with many opportunities – your career is likely to be dynamic, changeable, and full of new challenges and experiences. Throughout your career, the shaping and reshaping of your role is likely; don’t be scared to try and create your dream job! Whether your heart is set on improving the health of people in a specific location, or working with a particular health issue, or even if you are simply looking for a career of lifelong learning, there is likely to be something waiting for you to fulfill your goals. Public health careers are varied, the routes are many, but the value is one – the potential to make a difference to the health of individuals and populations is something common to all public health work. Good luck!

You have personal values and interests that have led you to this book, and you are reading this now because a career in public health is something that matters to you. By choosing to focus on working with communities to improve the health of people, you are embarking on a worthwhile and rewarding journey. This book has aimed to provide insight into the variety of career pathways public health has to offer and to illustrate how the skills and knowledge you have built in your public health degree can be used to put one foot on that career path. Remember though, this book has outlined a range of possibilities, it has not exhausted all the options. You should take the information provided and seek out further opportunities and advice in your areas of interest.