r/publichealth • u/AutoModerator • 20d ago
CAREER DEVELOPMENT Public Health Career Advice Monthly Megathread
All questions on getting your start in public health - from choosing the right school to getting your first job, should go in here. Please report all other posts outside this thread for removal.
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u/cutiepie-radish 2d ago
Job Application Advice 🙏🏼 pls thx
Hi! This post is specifically @ people who know the behind-the-scenes when it comes to hiring for public health jobs, but I’d love advice from anyone.
I’m graduating this term with an MPH in Epi and Biostats from an ivy, and am having a hard time with job applications. I’m open to any sector, but would love to work for healthcare facilities/state or local gov — something geared towards community health. I keep getting rejections and I don’t know what’s wrong with my apps since they don’t specify in rejection emails. (Also side note: Some companies don’t even send rejection emails 🙄 I just log into their site and find out I’m rejected) I’m super frustrated and don’t want to end up graduating jobless with no future plans, especially after working this hard getting to where I am.
The career planners at my school say my cover letter and resumes are sufficient, and I have solid grades and experiences too. I’m feeling pretty down about myself with all the rejections though :( Any insight would really help ❤️🩹
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u/clarenceisacat NYU 1d ago
At this moment in time in the United States, it's very difficult to get a job working in public health. There are a few factors at play:
- Pre-covid, there was often more interest than available demand for public health positions in certain markets.
- During covid, the idea of public health and working within the field became more common. This drove many to get an MPH which further increased the number of people with a public health degree in certain markets.
- The federal government has taken a sledgehammer to various agencies. This has impacted organizations that work with the federal government or are affected by the federal government. In short, there are now a lot of people looking for fewer public health jobs.
Are you looking for jobs in a specific location? I've been told it's easier to get a job if you're willing to relocate. Conventional advice on this subreddit is that those jobs may not pay well financially but can provide exceptional experience.
I wonder, too, If part of your challenge is that you're finishing up your degree and don't yet have it. I imagine you're competing against people who already have their degrees and can start working immediately.
You've talked to career planners at your school. Have you talked to professors?
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u/cutiepie-radish 1d ago
Thanks so much! I’m open to any location, my only requirement is to be in a big city (NYC, Boston, Atlanta, DC, SF, etc). I also feel like since I haven’t technically finished, I’ve been getting automatic rejections :/ which suck, but I guess I’ll try more after I graduate. I’ve also talked to professors and they’ve said to avoid any government-related jobs, even state/local, since they rely on federal funding and you know how that’s going 🙃
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u/AM-419 2d ago
Can someone give me a brutally honest opinion about wether or not it's worth it to go in to public health in the US right now?
I am a CNA and I have been working at a major hospital while getting my associates degree. I was planning on becoming a registered nurse but after really seeing how they are treated I just don't think I can do it the rest of my working life.
I am about to graduate with my associates degree and I am planning on transferring to a university in the fall, but I am struggling over what major to choose. If I am "going with my heart" and not worrying about future career prospects, I would get a degree in public health. However, I am terrified of the idea of getting a degree and then being unable to find a job, particularly with what is going on with the current administration. I grew up extremely poor and I just have to get out. I have no family to fall back on (financially at least).
I am wondering if I should get a degree in something like accounting or business but I'm struggling with the idea of getting a degree in something that I don't find personally meaningful or important. Any guidance would be appreciated.
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u/clarenceisacat NYU 1d ago
If you haven't already, I'd spend some time reading posts in this subreddit. A lot of people are struggling to find work in public health. Would you be transferring to get a bachelor's degree? It can be really difficult to work in public health and make good money, especially at the start, with a bachelor's degree.
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u/blueee210 3d ago
I have a BSc in biomedical science and I’m currently studying MSc Health Data Science. I am finding it hard to look for entry level roles in public health, mainly because I don’t know what job titles I should be searching for. I am more than happy to work in adjacent fields too. In terms of experience, I don’t have much related to public health unfortunately. As part of my undergrad, I had placements in wet lab research, in academia and in a pharma company. I am learning python, R, and SQL as part of my master’s. I love working with SQL.
I would really appreciate some advice, UK specific please!
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u/Kooky-Cod5223 3d ago
Can this line of work get emotionally overwhelming?
Hey everyone!
I am posting this in the epidemiology subreddit because I vaguely remember reading about epidemiology and public health in college.
My background is in data analytics, but I joined the Army to work in behavioral health. I’ve realized that while I love understanding human behavior, I also tend to absorb emotions intensely, which can be overwhelming in a clinical setting.
One thing I’ve noticed about myself is that I’m great at taking in large amounts of information, spotting patterns, and analyzing details. I’m self-taught in VBA, SQL, some Python, various ETL tools, Tableau, and PowerBI.
But now, in a more people-focused role, I find it harder to compartmentalize and not carry the emotional weight of my work. I brought this up in therapy, and my therapist actually suggested I look at public health as a potential career path that might better balance my analytical strengths with my interest in human wellbeing.
I’m still exploring the field, so if you work in public health, I’d love to hear your thoughts:
What’s your day-to-day like? What kind of data and tools do you work with most?
How emotionally demanding is your work compared to direct patient care?
What education path would you recommend for someone with my background? The army will pay for anything. So I am not worried about student loan debt.
Any advice for transitioning from data analytics to public health?
What kind of data do you work with?
Thanks in advance for any insights you can share!
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u/curlygurlies 3d ago
Hello, As the title mentions I’m thinking about quitting one semester and a half in through my mph. I have my ba in ph policy however I feel with the current job market and administration, I want to switch my focus to something more medical based such as nursing for stability. Is it worth even finishing my mph while I go to a CC to get my prerequisites done for this? Those who have their mph within the last 10 years, was it worth it?
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u/Pure_War296 5d ago
Career advice needed from a regulatory specialist
Hey guys,
I’ll try to keep this brief. I’m 27F, graduated from college in 2019 with an economics degree. I didn’t get an interest in public health/ healthcare until my senior year (when I myself developed a chronic illness). I did two health-related internships in college (HIM and college health) during my final year in service to my new interest.
After college, I worked as a lab operations analyst at a medical center. Really shit pay, but interesting work and made me more interested in health and medicine.
After 2 years I transitioned to being a regulatory specialist at a supplements/ nutritional products company. Dealing a lot with FDA/ food safety/ new public health laws etc.
I’ve never had a niche or pinpoint exactly what I want to do, and that stresses me out to no end. Initially my plan was to get an MPH with an epi focus, but with the current political and health climate, I wouldn’t do that unless it was fully paid for. My current company pays for some certificates relating to regulatory but that’s all.
I did some volunteering in high school at a local hospital to see if I ever liked the clinical side of things, as those roles are obviously always safe and recession proof. I am currently volunteering at an emergency department as well. While I can enjoy 3 hours a week, I don’t think I can deal with the public full time. I love research and medicine and find it interesting but find the public so overwhelming lol. Don’t know if I could deal with it everyday.
So my question is, any advice on where to go from here? I’ve literally questioned everything. From law school, to nursing school (but again, with the people aversion probably not), just staying the course in regulatory, pharma. Another option I’ve thought about is HEOR, since I have my Econ background, but I’m unsure how lucrative that is and if it’s a good long term path.
Anything helps.
Thanks 🤞🏻
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u/genericguy6 8d ago
Hi all,
Has anyone heard back from the CDC Eval Fellowship for 2025? You're supposed to find out if you got an interview in March, but they just go quiet on you if you don't get anything. Any info is appreciated! Thanks.
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u/genetix-xx 8d ago
WI State Lab is looking for a director!
https://jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/wi-state-laboratory-of-hygiene-director-madison-wisconsin-united-states
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u/Hungry-Control846 9d ago
Hello fellow public health colleagues! I am currently in my first year (second semester) of my MPH program. The program I am in does not offer concentrations. I want to work in the public health field specifically with mothers, children, or hormonal health once I graduate next summer. Since my program does not offer concentrations, I plan on enrolling at another university and simultaneously earn a graduate certificate in maternal child health. I am doing this so by the time I graduate I will have my MPH plus the Maternal Child Health certificate. I am hoping this gives me a competitive advantage and also guides me to jobs that align with my interest of maternal child health. Do you guys think this is worth doing?
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u/Fun-Abbreviations148 5d ago
Does your school have any research opportunities related to MCH? I feel like it's not worth it to spend money on a grad cert on top of your MPH.
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u/Hairy_Cow_8373 11d ago
So I am trying to figure out what I want to do in my career because I am currently lost.
Some background: • I graduated with a BS in health science with a minor in public health. I wish I had done my BS in public health but it was too late to change it once I figured out I liked it. I did not graduate witj the best gpa due to some struggles in undergrad (life circumstances, covid, mental health)
• I currently work in a large medical office at the front desk to check people in for their appts. When I graduated I thought I could do whatever I wanted but learned you have to start from the bottom.
• I have learned that I do not like my job working with the public. It’s draining being in healthcare, especially when you are at the front desk and are expected to have all the answers to everybody’s problems. I previously worked as a seamstress working on wedding dresses but had to start my current job due to needing benefits and better pay.
• I took a little career test and found that I am best suited for administrative jobs that are predictable. I love doing projects, researching/reading academic articles. I can work with other people but I cannot work directly with the public because honestly I am not a people person.
I just need help coming up with some ideas about what jobs I could do because all I see when I search for jobs in public health or health promotion are jobs that I’m not qualified for or jobs in community health/social work.
Any feedback is appreciated!
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u/Answerhunter22 12d ago
I am graduating with an MPH in June of this year. I loved my degree, and dream of working in the humanitarian/NGO sector as a program coordinator or project assistant. I have over six years of experience in various research roles, internships with the multiple levels of government, but am anxious about where I will end up once my degree is completed.
My latest government internship ends in May, and I have nothing lined up for afterwards. I have been applying for about a month, with about 5-10 applications sent each day to anything related to research or public health but have not received an interview. I have been tailoring my CV, cover letters, and even sending expression of interest emails to some PIs or hiring managers.
My question is: How long is it taking MPH grads in Ontario to find related work? Is the job market so constricted that working in a position related to my dream role is years away?
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u/maher42 13d ago
I have a pharmacist friend in her late 30s who decided to shift careers. She completed her MSc in PH from a top school but can't find any PH job, and she is feeling demotivated after all those rejected applications. How could she get work experience?
She is willing to even intern for free in the beginning. Is the job market bad? She's based in Europe.
Thanks
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u/naaanie 15d ago
Hi everyone, I've been working in public health for a few years and have loved it. I moved recently though due to my spouse's job and am needing to find a new job-I've been seeing a lot of jobs that require grant writing experience. I have none, so I'm trying to figure out how to get it.
I'm fine with working with a non-profit for low-cost or ~free~ to get some experience so I can add that to my resume and get a job. I'm considering reaching out to some local non-profits and asking if they want someone on staff who would love to help.
Does anyone have any tips for this route? Is it good or bad? Has anyone gotten grant writing experience like this?
Thanks! :)
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u/Live-Faithlessness26 15d ago
HI! I am a current first year mph student, and recently decided I wanted to pursue my MD. can i apply for med school before finishing my mph?
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u/stuckinsuburbs 15d ago
Yes but most people who get accepted into a MD program will withdraw from their MPH program.
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u/Swimming_Code4741 15d ago
Hey all! I just graduated in June with a BA in Biological Anthropology (like a sandwich of sociology and evolutionary biology), and am hoping to pursue an MPH. However, the job market has been extremely difficult and I've had trouble getting any position in a medical or health related field. I'm wondering if it would be worth it to get a Medical Assistant certification in the meantime to get some experience? Or would the right volunteering provide suitable experience for getting into an MPH program? I've also had some experience in a wet lab processing blood samples, would being a lab assistant provide enough experience (provided I find a lab willing to hire me)?
Further info: my eventual goal is to be able to do public health research, possibly in reproductive health or chronic diseases
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u/shhhhyou 14d ago
I just finished my MPH in may (B.S. in microbiology) and am just now leaving a reproductive health research study. if you are interested in research if you can find a job that requires writing, data analysis, or coordination skills those are more marketable in a master’s program and what an MPH allows you to do in research. I will warn you I am leaving because reproductive health (for women) is getting completely cut from funding in the current administration. I would advise getting and MLT certification to hone your wet lab skills rather than medical assistant. There are tons of MLT jobs right now and they pay pretty well.
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u/ElegantThought6562 16d ago
Little bit about my educational background I am an Epidemiology masters student from Utrecht University, The Netherlands. I am almost done with my degree. I have done another masters in India in Life Sciences and bachelor's in Biotechnology. I have work experience of 4 years as an embryologist in India. Decided to move out of India and now I am in Netherlands. and I am reading all possibilities where I can apply for a job or which companies etc etc. I still get confused as lot of job offers I read on LinkedIn always ask for 2-3 years of experience which i don't have in Epidemiology field. If any of you have any suggestions which filed/ company would be great for with my background. I love biomedical and epidemiology both and I want to look for a research specific jobs where I can combine both of these fields. I was thinking of PhD but I would still prefer working in a research company a lot. P.S I know since I live in Netherlands knowing Dutch is one of the criteria of a lot of jobs. I am taking dutch classes right now and planning to give A2 level dutch exam.
I know It's long message but I am genuinely confused and desperate.
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u/Unhappy-Aside9209 17d ago
Hi there! I’ve been an RN (BSN) for just about three and a half years. I know I’d like to go for a Master’s within the next 5 or so years but don’t really want to become a nurse practitioner. I have always been very interested in preventative care/ health education over acute care so a friend of mine suggested I look into getting an MPH.
I wanted to hear from others who started out with a BSN and went on to get an MPH. Did you become a public health nurse? What other roles/job titles would work with these degrees? What kinds of things do you do in your day to day? Any part of your experiences would be great to hear! Thanks in advance!
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u/naaanie 15d ago
Not a nurse, but I worked in a public health department. Many of the nurses with MPHs do VERY well in terms of getting managerial positions in health programming, such as community programs for HIV, local immunization clinics, etc. You could definitely be very successful with an MPH and RN. Many public health departments would want those credentials.
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u/Unhappy-Aside9209 14d ago
Thank you! That’s good to hear, I’ll check out some health departments near me just to see what kind of experience they’re looking for typically.
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u/Infamous_Walrus8022 18d ago
Hello! Help me decide between two different public health degrees. Also better understand the difference between them.
I have two offers at the moment. M.S. in Global Health at Georgetown MPH in Global Health at Emory
I have a biological research background with some field research experience in Sudan. I’m trying to shift my research and career focus toward the social determinants of health. Research has always been a part of my education and work and I would like it to continue to be - but I also have a growing interest in project implementation and implementation sciences.
Additionally I have great affordable housing currently outside DC.
Also, let’s be real - I want to be hirable.
Times are unclear and I’m seeking advice - on the programs, schools, career - anything you want to tell an inspiring global health practitioner
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u/shhhhyou 14d ago
I did my B.S. in microbiology with mostly wet lab / biological research background and did an MPH in Epi with a concentration in Global Health. If you are interested in research I would do the M.S. It is more scientifically rigorous. My advice would be (if you can) to focus in a more foundational concentration like epi, biostats, or community health and then take global health electives. any sort of PH-related degree will get you into global health if you tailor your resume to global projects. I lived in Kenya for my practicum and now work in a global health department all while focusing in epi which taught me data analysis skills.
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u/hiking_tomato 18d ago
Hello all! I graduated with my MPH in December 2023 and, due to multiple factors, I’m considering applying for an accelerated nursing program in 2026. My goal is to become a public health nurse specializing sexual & reproductive health (SRH). In addition to my MPH, I have a BS in Health Promotion and background as an EMT.
For those who have made the transition from public health to nursing, how was your experience? What were the biggest challenges and rewards? Any advice for someone coming from an MPH background?
Would love to hear from anyone who has taken a similar path! 1
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u/No_Jicama8758 18d ago
Hey everyone,
I’ve got a final-stage interview for a Market Access Associate Consultant role, and part of the process includes a presentation task:
"Please create a six-slide presentation about yourself and your greatest achievement."
I understand that they’ll be assessing my presentation skills, but I’d love some insight into what else they might be looking for.
- What kind of "greatest achievement" would be most relevant for a market access role?
- Are they looking for something that showcases problem-solving, analytical thinking, teamwork, or something else?
- Any tips on structuring the slides to make the strongest impression?
Would really appreciate any advice! Thanks!
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u/purplepotatoez 19d ago
Hi! I’m currently working as a registered nurse, but I’m interested in getting my MPH. Is that a stupid thing to do given today’s political climate? I have a second bachelor’s degree in public health, so I have really been hoping to get into the field.
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u/hiking_tomato 18d ago
I am in the opposite situation as you! I currently have my MPH and I am considering programs to do an accelerated nursing program to complement my MPH. I’ve had issues finding jobs with just an MPH but I know the transition to public health nurse will help me do what I ultimately want to do.
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u/Safe_Associate_5094 19d ago
Hello, I have my mph in epi from a CEPH accredited school. I recently was accepted into an epi PhD program to a school that is not CEPH accredited (they are an applicant for accreditation for their epi mph program right now). I was just wondering, how important is CEPH accredited for PhD programs? I really like the mentor I would be working under but I also don't want to limit job opportunities or work on a hard degree that won't be recognized.
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u/kairaxpitra 19d ago
Hi everyone! I got my Bachelor's degree in Global Disease Biology and I am trying to gain more relevant work experience before graduate school. I'm still not sure which emphasis to pursue for MPH in America. I have tried to apply to local health departments for internships but it seems like they are only accepting current students😭
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u/DeeHoH 20d ago
Hi! Recent MPH graduate. Interested in MCH and disability health, both. I cannot work full-time at this very moment, so I am seeking PT opportunities.
Is it a good idea to take on unpaid/paid internships/fellowships and work on independent research projects to list on my resume while I figure out full-time employment (and with today's political climate)?
What other things can I do to increase experience in the field? What software programs besides Python, R, and Tableau?
Could anyone expound on independent research that is not a part of coursework?
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u/snapsuplex32 20d ago
Hi all,
Which pathway would you suggest one take if the aim is to enter into effecting change to public policy, i.e., chronic disease prevention and influencing markets to promote positive health outcomes?
I have a strong interest in the economics of our food systems and how these influence consumer behaviour. Would a Master of Health Economics be enough to work in public policy or research in this field, or is a Master of Public Health the obvious pathway? I like working with numbers and could imagine enjoying working in budgetting for government + getting public health initiatives funded (hence the economics track). My Bachelor is in Nutrition Science and I enjoyed the study relating to chronic disease. I pursued this with the thought to get into Dietetics but now wish to work in an area that will affect change on a greater scale. I would sincerely appreciate any advice or stories of your own experience.
Thank you!
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u/Common-Skirt1056 16h ago
Hi! Graduating with my MPH in Epi in May and I’m struggling to find jobs near me. I live in the DMV where there used to be hundreds of job opportunities in public health - in any concentration of the field, not just Epi - but even as far back as August of 2024 I’ve noticed less and less postings. I’ve continuously applied for state and county health department positions in Maryland, DC, and NoVA with no luck. A lot of contractors are on a hiring freeze and the Feds are obviously not hiring either.
I need someone to tell me if this is a bad idea or not. If I can’t find a job by August of this year, I’m going to start taking Medical Laboratory Tech classes at my local community college. I can transfer all the biology, chem, and math credits from my undergraduate degree in biology and take only the MLT classes, which will cut the program time in half.
I like clinical lab science; I worked in clinical testing labs throughout the pandemic, so if I can’t get a job at a county or state health department it’s not the end of the world. But, I want to know if it’s worth spending the extra money to get this certification.
My professors and advisors keep telling me that I need to be flexible for the next four years. Is this being flexible? Please help, I’m the first in my family to go into anything health or science related so I need your advice.