Careers in Public Health

Public health offers a diverse range of career opportunities aimed at improving community health and well-being, with roles in government, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors – in the United States and international settings. Public health professionals work to prevent disease, promote health, and improve the quality of life in communities. Careers in this field vary widely, encompassing roles in research, education, policy, disease investigation, and community outreach & engagement.

Career Paths

Biostatistician: Applies statistics to analyze public health data and inform health policies Community Health Educator. Most biostatisticians have a master in public health and advanced statistics training. Projected job growth through 2033: 11%.

Clinical Support Specialist: Assists medical professionals in a clinical setting. Duties include setting patient appointments, collecting patient data and insurance information, and providing any additional support that your coworkers might need. May assist in research studies. Projected job growth through 2033: 10%

Community Health: Educator Collects and analyzes data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. For students interested in this career choice, earning national certification as a Community Health Education Specialist (CHES) will provide advantages in the job market. List of Employers Who Hire/Recognize CHES. Projected job growth through 2033: 7%.

Community Health Worker: Serves as a liaison between health and social services and the community. Builds trust within the community to facilitate better service delivery and improve health literacy. Projected job growth through 2033: 7%.

Medical and Health Service Manager: Plan, direct, and coordinate the business activities of healthcare providers. Most are employed in healthcare facilities, including hospitals or residential long-term care agencies, or group medical practices. Undergraduate students interested in this employment sector should consider Healthcare Management concentration. Graduate students should consider the Health Services & Policy Certificate of Advanced Studies (Maxwell School). Projected job growth through 2033: 29%

Epidemiologist: Investigate the causes of disease and other public health problems to prevent them from spreading or from happening again. They report their findings to public policy officials and to the general public. Most epidemiologists have a master’s in public health or a related field, and some have a Ph.D. in epidemiology. Projected job growth through 2033: 19%

Global Health Practitioner: Aims to achieve better health outcomes for vulnerable populations and communities around the world. Eliminate health disparities in low-resource settings around the world through research, education and collaborative intervention. Most working in this sector have a master in public health degree. Projected job growth through 2033: 5%

Health Coach: Help clients adopt habits and behaviors to improve their health. Uses conversation and strategies to engage clients in behavior change that improves their health. Students interested in this career should consider additional training in motivational interviewing. Projected job growth through 2033: 12%

Health Communication Specialist: Communicate public health messaging to a variety of internal and external audiences using an assortment of digital mediums. Ensure public understanding of matters critical to the health of populations. Projected job growth through 2033: 12%

Prevention Specialist/Professional: Develop, implement and coordinate disease prevention programs. Undergraduate students interested in this employment sector should consider the Addiction Prevention concentration. Graduate students should consider the Addiction Studies Certificate of Advanced Studies. Most states require certification or licensure to work in this field. Projected job growth through 2033: 7%

Public Health Consultant: Work within organizations to improve access to health care and promote ongoing positive health outcomes. Strategize and direct projects related to the delivery of health care services. Health care organizations bring consultants into their business for third-party input to optimize the organization operationally and financially. Consultants spot weaknesses in the organization, seek to make leadership aware of the issues, and collaborate to create and implement solutions to their problems. Projected job growth through 2023: 7%

Public Health Policy Analysist: Researches and analyzes policies to improve public health systems and outcomes. Most policy analysis have a master in public health. Projected job growth through 2033: 11%

Public Health Program Coordinator/Administrator: Conducts needs assessments, supervises daily activities, conducts data analysis, develops educational materials, partners with other organizations, raises funds and markets health programs. Advanced positions in public health program administration require graduate training. Projected job growth through 2033: 8%

Workplace Wellness Manager: Ensures a healthy & safe work employment for employees. Manages wellness initiatives and programs. Projected job growth through 2033: 20%

Want to talk to someone about careers in Public Health? Contact: Undergraduate Students College of Arts & Sciences Career Services
Your College of Arts & Sciences academic advisor
Your Public Health faculty advisor/mentor

Graduate Students
Maxwell College Palmer Career Center
Your Public Health faculty advisor

Public Health Career Links
Careers in Public Health.net | Jobs, Careers & Degrees
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