The field of public health is supposed to promote and protect the health of the people and the communities where they live, learn, work, and play. This is a broad interpretation of the field and as we can see, it encompasses everything. We are surrounded by the field in our everyday lives, whether we are aware of it or not. Professionals in the field of public health don't do everything, but what they do is work in a sub-field of public health. This can include: education, environmental health, behavioral health, clinical health, physical health, mental health, maternal and child health, policy work, administration, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and private sectors to name a few. However, it does not end there! Public health is an incredibly broad, and multi-disciplinary field, meaning you will work with people or at agencies from different backgrounds other than public health. The field is endless and finding the perfect career is up to your professional interests.
This really starts in your academic career. Refining your interests within the field by taking elective courses or taking inspiration from a public health class. The next step is to do research on how do you get that position. This can be a tricky step with not knowing where to look or what to specifically look for. Luckily, the University of Tennessee and Northern Arizona University Career Development have created tools and services to help out with this crucial step.
The University of Tennesee's Career Development office created the What Can I Do With This Major website. This website serves as a discovery page for careers within broad majors.
Hazardous Waste Inspector
Public Health Journalist
Disaster Preparedness Researcher
Behavior Health Program Coordinator
Health and Wellness Manager
Emergency Preparedness Specialist
Medical Writer
Disease Ecologist
Nurse Educator
NGO Director
Federal Environmentalist
Industrial Hygienist
Public Health Engineer
Environmental Health Emergency Response Specialist
Health Communications Specialist
Health Promotion Program Coordinator
Public Health Information Officer
Consumer Safety Officer
Health Teacher
Medical Investigator
Management Policy Advisor
Biostatistician
Infection Preventionist
Pharmacoepidemiologist
Public Health Consultant
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
Public Health Planner
Public Health Consultant
Academic Policy Advisor
Epidemiologist
Legislative Policy Advisor
Director of Family Health Services
Health Center Administrator
Public Health Attorney
Community Health
Community health workers assist the communities they serve by providing education and facilitating services for better health and improved quality of life.
Education needed: Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate
Environmental Health
A public health specialization that focuses on both the natural and man-made environments that affect human health.
Education needed: Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate
Epidemiology
Epidemiologists investigate the patterns and causes of diseases and injuries in a community or demographic of people.
Education needed: Masters or Doctorate
Global Health
Global health is defined by the National Institutes of Health as study, research, and practice that widens the scope of public health into a global perspective for people worldwide.
Education needed: Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate
Health Policy and Management
A major area of public health that includes careers like public health researcher, healthcare policy analyst, and health services manager.
Education needed: Masters or Doctorate
Biostatistics
The collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data that affects health and health outcomes.
Education needed: Masters or Doctorate
Maternal and Child Health
All aspects of developmental, mental, social, and behavioral health of mothers and children.
Education needed: Masters or Doctorate
Nutrition
The historical, cultural, and sociological aspects of food and nutrition through the life-cycle.
Education needed: Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate. A registered Dietitian (RD) certificate and a background in nutrition may be required.
Public Health Job Boards- General
Government Public Health Job Boards
Academia
Environmental
Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
Epidemiology
Global Health/International Jobs
Health and Healthcare