Public health is an integral part of our society and the communities in which we live, work, and play. Public health professionals work hard to prevent disease, track epidemics, respond to public health threats, educate others about healthcare, and facilitate access to health services when communities are in need.

If you’re interested in a career in public health, the work you will do is purposeful. However, with the vast array of public health paths available, it can be tough to narrow down your options for the road ahead. This public health career guide is designed to help you pursue, land, and launch a job you love.

What public health career is right for me?

The public health sector is a growing industry with many interesting roles available. If you’re drawn to this field, you’re probably wondering: What public health career is right for me?

Public health promotion

Primary focus: Health maintenance and illness prevention.

Public health promotion specialists spend much of their time designing health programs. These programs aim to encourage the public to adopt healthier lifestyle choices. In this position, you’d be working with schools, community organizations, and workplaces to promote your program.

An example of a public health promotion program is a campaign to improve healthy lunch choices in public schools. To promote this cause, you’d work closely with schools and parent organizations in the community to spread awareness about the importance of nutrition for developing children and the limitations of their current lunch options. Public health promotion is a great career path for those who are social, communicative, and enjoy meaningful outreach.

Public health education

Primary focus: Empowering communities through shared knowledge.

Public health educators primarily work to educate communities, populations, and/or organizations about improving health and wellness. Public health professionals first assess each population’s needs, then design programs to help address those needs on a broad scale.

You may design and teach health classes, for example, to children or teach a team of laboratory professionals about job safety and hygiene. Educators may also assess the current classes available and provide feedback on how to optimize those programs. Public health education draws people who are outgoing, enjoy public speaking, and like working directly with communities.

Public health administration

Primary focus: Managing the non-clinical side of healthcare.

Public health administrators work to keep public health programs running. Often found behind the scenes, in this career, you likely wouldn’t have any direct interaction with the public but would collaborate with others to ensure that programs, campaigns, and public health facilities operate as they should.

You might be responsible for things like budgeting for a campaign or program, billing, staffing, and creating programs to optimize efficiency. Public health administrative careers are optimal for those with great organizational and leadership skills.

Public health research

Primary focus: Understanding trends and finding solutions.

Public health researchers study public health data. In this career, your primary goal would be to find health patterns, identify commonalities, and risks. From there, you would work to establish solutions. Your research could influence public health policy and legislation.

As a researcher, your work can benefit a number of organizations. Many people in public health research careers work in labs, at large universities, government agencies, and research institutions. This would be a great career choice for you if you’re a naturally curious person who appreciates using data for large-scale problem solving.

Public health epidemiology

Primary focus: Investigating disease patterns within populations.

Epidemiologists work by monitoring and launching responses to disease outbreaks. Particularly crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, epidemiologists analyzed how the disease was spreading and came up with strategies to prevent further spread. In this career, you’d be working with tons of data to inform policymakers and public health leaders on the particulars of any given situation.

You would track case numbers, make modeling trends, and guide public health leaders on the best response. Epidemiologists might be the right career path for you if you’ve got an interest in science, statistics, and problem-solving.

There are many career pathways open to you within the public health field. These are just a few of the many options available.

Begin your Public Health career at Goodwin

Public health career and salary outlook

The public health field is a promising career choice with a great job outlook. Jobs in the healthcare field are expected to rise faster than the average for other occupations over the next decade. Below, you’ll find some average salaries for popular public health careers:

• Health educators and community health workers earn a median annual salary of $51,030.
• Epidemiologists typically earn a median annual salary of $83,980, with higher earnings for senior roles.
• Public health administrators and senior researchers earn a median annual salary of $117,960.

The combination of job growth and stability makes public health an ideal career choice for someone looking to make an impact.

How to launch a public health career

Like many fields, a strong educational foundation is the first step to entering a public health career.

Begin with a Bachelor’s in Public Health:

This degree makes you eligible for a variety of entry-level jobs in public health, with courses that offer well-rounded knowledge in health systems, epidemiology, environmental health, and community engagement.

Consider a Master’s in Public Health (MPH):

If you want to work in a senior position or specialize further, an MPH can help you get there. This graduate degree gives you more specialized knowledge in the particulars of public health. It is a great preparation for leadership roles within the public health sphere.

How to choose the best public health career for you

Choosing a career path is ultimately an inside job. Sure, this public health career guide helps you understand your options, but truly, it’s up to you. After an internal assessment of your interests and deciding where you’d like to dedicate your energy, ask yourself, “Do I like working directly with people, or would I prefer to work on the operational side?”

Spending some time in different areas of public health can inform your decision-making. Internships or even shadowing people working in these fields can help you get a more definitive sense of what that career truly entails.

Start your public health career today!

Still wondering what public health career is right for you? At Goodwin University, you’ll be given the support you need to make the right choice. With a foundational education and passion for changemaking, you’ll be set up for success. You’ll have the opportunity to pursue internships and mentorships to further your practical skills.

Regardless of the specific field in the public health sector, our Bachelor of Science in Public Health program can help you build a strong foundation. By the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to enter the public health sector or pursue your MPH.

Apply today to take the first step toward your future in public health.

Learn more about a BS in Public Health at Goodwin University to see if a career in Public Health is a good career choice for you.