masters in public health jobs

masters in public health jobs

Advancing Your Career in Public Health: Exploring Job Opportunities with a Masters Degree

1. Introduction to Masters in Public Health (MPH)

A master’s degree in public health has been recognized as an essential asset in the field of public health. Having a master’s in public health is now a fundamental stepping stone for those who wish to pursue a career in public health, whether it be in the private sector, the non-profit sector, or the governmental sector. There are many reasons why a master’s in public health is beneficial, and this document will specify the most important aspects, focusing on two vital resources of information: the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the professional organization of the Association of Schools of Public Health. The Bureau of Labor Statistics offers information on the variety of careers that are available with a master’s in public health and the earning potential of a professional in public health. The Association of Schools of Public Health provides detailed information on the array of careers that are possible with a master’s in public health and provides suggestions for educational programs in public health.

2. Growing Demand for Public Health Professionals

A study conducted by the Association of Schools of Public Health and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that the average public health professional is about 55 years old, and one-quarter of public health workers will be retiring in the next five years. This means that there will be many opportunities for young professionals to move into leadership positions and high-ranking jobs as the older generation phases out.

The job market for epidemiologists is expected to grow in the next 10 years, with an 18% increase from 2006 to 2016. Part of this is due to societal concerns with bioterrorism and the avian flu in recent years. Research scientists are in high demand to combat potential biological warfare and to understand and prevent the spread of diseases.

MS public health degree graduates will find increased demand in the workforce for their knowledge and skills, creating a very favorable job market. The United States alone will need over 50,000 new public health workers in the next five years, according to the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey. The Institute of Medicine issued a report in 2003 recommending that at least one-third of the nation’s practicing physicians have training in public health. Physicians with an MPH degree will be able to appeal to a wider range of patients and have potential for more career options by filling the demand for primary care physicians with public health knowledge. Also, the cost of healthcare is growing at a rate faster than the national economy. If this trend continues, the US will face major financial issues and healthcare will need to be restructured. All of these issues point to a greater demand for professionals with knowledge of public health. With today’s economic crises and the increased competition among job-seekers, young professionals are urged to take a hard look at the job market’s future outlook.

3. Diverse Job Roles and Settings in Public Health

You can gain professional experience via a myriad of job opportunities. One attractive attribute of public health jobs is that they are available in many geographical locations. Jobs are not limited to one city, region, or country. For those with a willingness to travel, there is great potential for international work. Public health is beneficial because there are constant efforts to improve the health of populations across borders. Global issues such as SARS or HIV/AIDS have shown the importance of international health strategies. With a mix of job possibilities both domestically and internationally, public health workers can vary job settings with travel or settling at one location.

Public health is more than a career, it is a calling. Public health professionals are concerned with the health and well-being of populations. This type of work is for those with a humanitarian spirit who wish to make a meaningful contribution to society. While the work has a strong altruistic foundation, public health also offers a wealth of challenging career opportunities. Public health careers are available on the local, state, national, and international level and are diverse and dynamic. The skills one learns in public health are applicable to an array of job functions in numerous occupational settings. Those with a strong desire to improve the world in which we live should consider a career in public health.

4. Benefits of Pursuing a Masters in Public Health

Most individuals who have a career in the promotion and improvement of public health are well aware of the vast amount of improvements that are needed within the healthcare system. It is no surprise that healthcare is one of the fastest-growing sectors and that there is a substantial need for those trained to manage growth and change in ways that advance public health. By enrolling in a master’s program, you are taking the first step to becoming an expert in your field. While a master’s degree is definitely an investment in your future, there are still options for financial aid to further your education. A Master of Public Health degree is the most obvious choice for those who are already working in a career in public health and promotion field. The convenience of online courses allows for better time management between work and school, while utilizing the skills you are learning in real time in your everyday work.

Whether you have just recently gained an interest in public health or are considering if it would be the right choice of career for you, it is top-of-the-line to contemplate. Deciding to enroll in a master’s program is a big decision that should not be taken lightly and requires a great deal of thought and consideration. However, when considering a career in public health, it would be advantageous to look into an advanced degree. Through the exploration of the job opportunities that are available to those with a Master of Public Health (MPH), we would like to assist those who are considering the pursuit of a graduate degree in public health.

5. Steps to Success: Navigating the Job Market with an MPH

The job search can be a time-consuming and daunting task. Nevertheless, there are a number of steps you can take to maximize your chances of finding the right job for you. One of the first things you should consider doing is conducting a self-assessment. This consists of a realistic evaluation of your skills, both technical and transferable, your work preferences, and your values. By identifying these key elements, job searching can be much more focused and therefore productive. There are counselors at the careers service who can help you with this, or you may want to utilize the graduate occupational profiles on Prospects (on the right hand side of the page after clicking the link). Another helpful self-assessment tool for those seeking their first job in public health is the PHAST for students, which stands for Public Health Assessment and tools. Self-assessment is important in helping you identify what you want from your career, and therefore what sort of job you are looking for. The next step will involve researching the job market and doing some career planning to best prepare you for your job search. Step 3 will be writing CVs and application forms. Your CV will portray an initial image of you to an employer so it is important that you are able to communicate your skills, knowledge, and experience effectively. There are also some crucial steps you should follow to increase your chances of successfully getting through the often culminating stage of the job search, the interview. A workshop put on by the careers service called “Finding and Getting the Right Job” covers many of the skills and techniques you will need for this.