10 Reasons to Get a Job in Public Health

Public health professionals work to stop diseases from spreading and to keep people as healthy as they can be. These experts, from nurses to policymakers, are committed to enhancing people’s lives in the communities they serve.

Walden’s MSN Specialization in Public Health Nursing

While any job in healthcare can be fulfilling, a career in public health comes with a unique set of benefits. If you’re still deciding on your career path or thinking about changing careers, explore these seven reasons why public health might be the right choice for you.

Top Reasons to Pursue a Career in Public Health

To learn more about the advantages of a career in public health, we’ve talked to two professionals in the field. Michael Mittelman, OD, MPH, MBA, is the president of Salus University, and Krista Beckwith, MSPH, CPC, is the vice president of population health and wellness at Everside Health. Together, they share the following insights into why now is an excellent time to enter the field of public health.

1. Diverse Career Opportunities

The field of “public health” covers a wide range of careers, roles, and responsibilities, many of which are well-paying. Dr. Mittelman says, “A public health degree opens the door to numerous career options, including epidemiology, biostatistics, health promotion and education, health policy, public health advisory roles, environmental health positions, public health nursing, health engagement specialists, and community or global health specialists, among others.”

Public health aims to create conditions for people to lead their healthiest lives. Whether you aspire to provide direct patient care as a public health nurse, encourage community involvement as an organizer or planner, or support through social work or communications, there’s a place for you in public health.

2. Job Stability

In a world that’s rapidly changing, job stability is a concern for many. Public health must adapt to meet new challenges while offering substantial job security.

Ms. Beckwith, with an MSPH degree, points to her career as proof of the field’s job stability. She has found stable employment in various settings, from local communities to international positions, federal and state government, and the private sector.

“I pursued a degree that allows me to adapt over time and evolve with the changing trends in healthcare without being confined to a single role,” Beckwith explains. “A public health degree does precisely that.”

3. Growing Demand

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on almost every aspect of life, including the demand for workers in certain fields.

The pandemic placed unprecedented pressure on public health programs, resulting in a surge in demand for professionals. However, many local health departments and agencies are facing staff shortages due to an aging workforce, staff turnover, and concerns about safety. Consequently, there is a high demand for public health workers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts much faster than average job growth for epidemiologists, health education specialists, community health workers, and social and community services managers between 2021 and 2031.

The COVID-19 pandemic also sparked interest in public health careers, with more people pursuing degrees in the field. The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) reports a 20% increase in applications to public health graduate programs for the 2020-2021 academic year. Many schools and students attribute this to the impact of COVID-19 and the desire to “do something” about controlling the spread of the virus. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects much faster than average employment growth for epidemiologists, health education specialists and community health workers, and social and community services managers between 2021 and 2031.

4. High Job Satisfaction

Despite some inherent challenges in public health, a survey by the de Beaumont Foundation found that 82% of professionals reported job satisfaction.

Ms. Beckwith notes that individuals typically choose this path because of their passion for making a positive impact on the world through their careers. This passion often results in a high level of job satisfaction as individuals aim to align their roles with the passion that led them into this field.

However, Ms. Beckwith acknowledges that public health work can come with a unique emotional toll. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many public health professionals faced negative feedback, criticism, and accusations of overreach. “As a result,” Ms. Beckwith shares, “we lost many passionate, articulate, and capable members of the profession who found their job satisfaction eroded due to the backlash.”

5. Opportunities for Advancement

Dr. Mittelman highlights that public health provides professionals with the opportunity to advance in their careers, especially if they hold an advanced degree. “Many public health programs offer specialization options,” he explains. “Having an advanced public health degree enhances job candidates’ competitiveness when pursuing these highly rewarding positions.”

Ms. Beckwith concurs that “advancement is entirely possible” thanks to the diverse career paths available to those with a public health degree.

6. Influence on Health Policy

Many individuals enter the field of public health because they want to shape the well-being of their communities and the world at large. One way to achieve this is by contributing to the development and formulation of public health policies.

As Dr. Mittelman points out, “A public health degree with a focus on health policy, epidemiology, or environmental health equips you with the knowledge and credibility to assist government agencies in establishing health policies.” This plays a crucial role in responding to health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as in routine policies related to vaccinations, health and wellness strategies for diverse populations, local disease monitoring, and other functions.

Ms. Beckwith chose a health policy focus for her master’s degree in public health. She notes that public health can influence much more than what we traditionally consider health policy, such as the Affordable Care Act. “The field of public health can also impact transportation policy, immigration policy, environmental policy, social policy, and more. It can be integrated across all levels of policy, from local jurisdictions to the national level.”

7. Making a Positive Impact on Lives

Dr. Mittelman also emphasizes that the ability to make a difference is a key factor for many individuals choosing a career in public health. “Through global and community health engagement activities, you can help developing countries, or even rural communities in the U.S., develop effective public health measures that prevent disease and positively impact the quality of life.”

Making a positive difference in the lives of others is a driving force for many in public health, whether they work directly with individuals or contribute to the development of health policies and programs. According to the de Beaumont Foundation survey, 95% of public health workers believe that the work they do is important.

Ms. Beckwith notes that public health professionals can make a positive impact in various ways: “This can involve providing direct services or education, offering data surveillance and analytics, designing new products focused on health and wellness, influencing local, state, and federal policies, ensuring public health and safety, and protecting the environment.”

Begin Your Public Health Journey

Public health is a dynamic and evolving field with a wide range of career options, all with a shared goal: promoting and safeguarding community health and ensuring the highest possible quality of life for everyone.

If you’re considering a fulfilling career in public health, your journey starts with earning the right degree. Begin by exploring some of the top online programs for a master’s in public health to kickstart your career.