Let’s face it, working in a healthcare profession is no walk in the park. You are not only striving hard to make a successful career but are also looking for ways to help individuals and communities. While many individuals pursue a career in healthcare because they like the idea of helping others, not every individual enjoys bedside roles.
If you are one of those people, no worries!!!
You can still find a dream job in the healthcare sector where you can pursue your passion for improving the quality of life of other people by stepping into the field of public health.
Public health professionals are responsible for preventing diseases among the population and improving people’s health worldwide. These professionals gather data related to community health, identify issues, and take necessary steps to keep the community safe and healthy. From creating awareness to developing policies and regulations and conducting wellness programs – public health professionals help the community thrive in the best way possible.
Is your mind still conflicted about whether pursuing a career in this field will be worth your time, money, and hard work? In that case, you have nothing to worry about. The good news is the field of public health is diverse. Therefore, professionals pursuing a career in this field have several career opportunities with excellent job outlooks. However, it is to note that public health workers’ career outlook significantly depends on their education. Individuals start their career with a bachelor’s degree, but many go for an advanced degree such as masters in public health online to take their career to the next level. A master’s degree helps individuals gain the necessary knowledge and skills to secure leadership roles and bring meaningful change.
Now, let’s look closer at the list of some common career paths you can pursue after earning a master’s degree in public health. Here, we will be discussing job roles, work environment, salaries, and employment outlooks to make it easy to clear your mind about which path to choose:
- PUBLIC HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATORS
Like any other organization, public health organizations also need administrators to oversee the operations and ensure everything runs smoothly. Since these professionals are leaders in their field, they have to possess a few skills to excel in their careers. For example, they must have strong problem-solving and public speaking skills. Moreover, having self-confidence is also necessary. The typical job duties of public health administrators can include:
- Assess community health issues and look for problem areas
- Create awareness among the population by creating educational programs
- Design and oversee the budget for public health operations
- Create reports on public health and healthcare trends
According to PayScale, the average salary of a Public Health Administrator is $62,571. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted that the job opportunities for health and service managers will grow by 32% from 2020 to 2030.
- EPIDEMIOLOGISTS
These professionals are in charge of conducting research and investigating the patterns or causes of disease, particularly communicable diseases. Epidemiologists share their findings with the public and government officials to help prevent negative impacts on the community. Their work setting can include government offices, healthcare facilities, laboratories, and academic institutions. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and communications are a must to perform best at this job. An epidemiologist’s job duties include the following:
- Travel to different locations to deduce the reason behind infectious diseases
- Gather disease-related data and study it
- Present findings in meetings and advise on health policies
- Stay up-to-date with the latest discoveries, trends, and technologies
The average salary is $78,830, and the employment opportunity will grow by 30% from 2020 to 2030 for epidemiologists.
- DIETICIANS AND NUTRITIONISTS
If teaching about nutritious food and a healthy lifestyle is your passion, this career path might be your calling. As the world goes digital, people today are becoming concerned about what to eat and what not to, so you can pursue this career to improve your client’s eating habits and improve overall health. Typical work settings where dieticians and nutritionists can work include hospitals, assisted living facilities, clinics, and even private practice. Typical job responsibilities are:
- Speak to the patient to learn about food habits, preferences, and restrictions
- Develop personalized diet plans for the client based on their needs
- Stay abreast of the latest discoveries in nutrition
- Educate the common public about healthy eating habits
According to the BLS, the average salary of dieticians and nutritionists is $61,650 per year. In addition, the job outlook will grow by 11% from 2020 to 2030.
- BIOSTATISTICIAN
Another option to go with your master’s degree in public health is becoming a biostatistician. However, you must be good in mathematics and statistics to excel in this career. Biostatisticians gather data on public health and study it to identify public health concerns. Typically, biostatisticians work in government agencies, research foundations, educational institutes, etc. Day-to-day job duties can include:
- Collect and analyze data
- Implement different approaches and new methods to identify the underlying cause of public health concern
- Document findings and prepare reports guiding public health policy or strategy
According to PayScale, the median salary of a Biostatician is $78,481 per year. However, BLS predicts that the job outlook of mathematicians and statisticians will grow by 33% from 2020 to 2030.
- HEALTH EDUCATORS
Do you have a knack for teaching and want to pursue a career in public health? In that case, consider pursuing the public health education field. As a public health educator, your primary responsibility will be to educate communities or specific populations about health and wellness. Exceptional communication and networking skills are necessary to become a public health educator. You can find employment in different settings such as government agencies, public or private sectors, NGOs, etc. Your daily job duties can include:
- Plan and organize events to discuss and teach health education
- Create and distribute health education materials
- Provide training and resources to healthcare workers and community agencies
The average salary of health education specialists is $48,860, and the employment outlook would grow by 17% from 2020 to 2030.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
There is no denying that an advanced degree such as a master’s can open doors to various career paths in the public health field. Usually, public health professions fall under two broad categories: administration and research. And while the everyday job duties of public health administrators differ significantly from researchers, one thing is for sure – both professions strive to enhance the quality of life of the individuals and the community.
Thus, undoubtedly, the career outlook for public health professionals after earning a master’s degree is remarkable, no matter which career path you choose. So you just need to determine which area aligns best with your career goals, interest, and strength, and you are good to go on your career journey.
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