When one thinks of public health jobs, the most common positions often are those of doctors, nurses or intervention specialists. However, there is a large variety of public health jobs, from teaching to program management to epidemiology. Public health positions are often overlooked in favor of higher paying positions in the private sector, but there are several benefits to pursuing a job in a public health field.
What Are Public Heath Jobs?
There are five main areas of practice in the public health sector according to the Association of Schools for Public Health. Careers in public health tend to be in the education, administration, policy, research or community practice fields.
Heath educators often work in elementary and high schools, as well as colleges and universities in order to educate students about critical health issues. HIV and AIDS specialists not only teach prevention but can also help develop outreach programs for students in the school. Outside of the United States, public health educators also work on developing sanitation, nutrition, hygiene and disease prevention strategies for school populations.
In the administration field, hospitals, health research institutions and policy development organizations are frequently recruiting public health professionals. Today’s medical field is rapidly changing and public health professionals are often qualified to manage institutions and develop health service delivery programs. The demand for qualified public health professionals who are willing to pursue administration and management positions is rapidly growing.
Advocacy groups, think tanks, non-profit organizations and consulting firms also frequently require public health professionals. Many organizations require public health specialists in order to protect the rights of marginalized populations, such as the homeless, elderly and disabled. Specialists also help with solving medical, legal, economic and social issues that public policy makers need to consider.
Public health professionals can find research-based careers in universities, consumer organizations, ministries of health and state government organizations. These professionals help to ensure the safety and health of the community. Professionals in these fields are used for anything from researching epidemic prevention to researching maternity best practices.
Finally, in the community practice setting, public health professionals are often able to find careers in substance abuse centers, rehabilitation centers, consulting firms, relief agencies, government agencies and non-profit organizations. Public health professionals in these fields can pursue careers as doctors, social workers, nurses, engineers or environmentalists.
What are the Benefits of A Public Heath Career?
Today’s health system is rapidly changing and as a result, there is a critical need for qualified public health professionals, including practitioners and researchers. Current shortages in registered nurses, qualified mental health professionals and research epidemiologists are expected to continue for several years. While this applies to the private sector, these shortages are often significant in the public sector where salaries and benefits may be lower than they are in the private sector. One of the greatest benefits to pursuing a career in the public health sector is the high demand and increased job openings.
Another benefit is that for current students hoping to pursue a public health career, many career choices are eligible for student loan forgiveness programs. According to the US Department of Education many public service jobs, including those in government and non-profit organizations, qualify for student loan forgiveness. For students on income based repayment, that can mean that the students will pay a reduced monthly payment for 10 years and all loans can be forgiven after 10 years of full time employment in the public service field and 120 on time payments. These loans are forgiven with no tax penalties.
For those seeking out public health jobs, there are several options in a wide range of specialities. Many public health positions are in high demand making it easier to secure a full-time position. In addition, federal student loan forgiveness programs making it more affordable to earn a degree to qualify for a public health position.
