There are numerous public health careers available. Which one is right for you?
Public health professionals work to prevent disease and improve the health of people all over the world. Several public health careers involve educating people about disease prevention and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
The requirements for these careers vary, but a Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree or a degree in a related field is usually the minimum requirement. Taking public health courses in health systems, issues in health care, public health concepts and global health can also help you prepare for a career in this field.
Public health careers are available in the fields of health communication, epidemiology, health education and global health. Someone interested in health communication should consider a career as a health communication specialist. This career involves communicating with people to convince them to adopt healthier lifestyles.
As a health communication specialist, you must be able to create print and audio messages that help people understand public health concepts. You must have approximately five years relevant experience to qualify for this type of job.
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Epidemiologists study disease and develop methods to control the spread of disease. You must have a minimum of a Master of Public Health degree to qualify for this job. Many employers also require a doctoral degree or medical degree.
Epidemiologists must have a strong understanding of statistics and mathematical modeling. You may be required to travel for this job, especially if there is a disease outbreak or a bioterrorist attack. You must also be skilled at using scientific equipment and computers, as you may have to examine tissue samples or use computer programs to predict trends in disease transmission.
Health educators help community members adopt healthier lifestyles. They use their skills and knowledge to collect health data and design programs to help citizens prevent or control diabetes and other public health issues.
Approximately 50 percent of health educators work for social service agencies or health care facilities. Another 20 percent are employed by government agencies. Some health educators work for nonprofit organizations.
Several colleges offer public health education online, giving you the flexibility to take courses while you work full-time or complete an internship in this field.
Some of the duties you can expect to perform include:
- Planning and developing health education programs.
- Managing staff members in a health education department.
- Writing articles about public health issues.
Global health professionals work to prevent and raise awareness of global health issues. Some agencies hire international HIV specialists to help prevent the spread of HIV. These public health professionals teach people how to protect themselves against HIV. They also work with people who have already been diagnosed with HIV, teaching them how to prevent the spread of the disease.
As an HIV specialist, you would also be expected to develop educational programs, produce worksheets and other educational materials and deliver presentations at workshops and conferences. A Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree, social work degree or a degree in a related field is required for this job.
If you are interested in public health careers that give you the opportunity to educate people or help prevent the spread of disease, talk to a college admissions counselor about the programs available in your area.
Reply! can help you locate a college that has programs available. Once you enroll in a program, keep all of the possible public health careers in mind, so that you can create a course plan that will help you achieve your career goals.
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