Researching and exploring careers in public health

The broad field of public health involves studying and improving the health of communities and populations.  Health research, promotion, education, and policy development are some of the focal areas for public health professionals.  The variety of careers in public health necessitates a diversity of knowledge and expertise, and relates to numerous academic disciplines. Below is a description of the academic fields at the UNC School of Public Health, and examples of careers for each specialty.   Biostatistics Environmental Sciences & Engineering  Epidemiology Health Behavior & Health Education  Health Policy & Administration  Maternal & Child Health Nutrition  Public Health Leadership  Global Health Additional Information   Biostatistics     Biostatistics involves the development and application of statistical science to human health and disease.  Biostatisticians analyze data to determine the cause of illness and injury, identify health trends in communities, analyze risk factors, plan interventions, or evaluate statistical data for clinical trials.   For example, you might estimate the number of deaths from gun violence, or analyze trends in cancer incidence. Examples of Job Titles Potential Employers Related Links Biostatistician Research Statistician Analysis Programmer Statistical SAS Programmer Health Informatics Specialist Statistical Writer Local, state, and federal government Public health departments Government agencies such as: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Census Bureau National Cancer Institute Pharmaceutical industry Biotechnology firms Nonprofit organizations Colleges and universities Research institutions Hospitals International health agencies  Department of Biostatistics at UNC Biostatistics Career Profile (from Explorehealthcareers.com) Biostatistician Overview (from Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics) Sample Career Pathway (from MyRoad at Collegeboard.com)   (back to top) Environmental Sciences and Engineering Environmental Sciences and Engineering encompasses a broad array of factors that can influence human health and environmental quality.  Such areas include but are not limited to studying and managing the quality of air, water, and soil, as well as noise control, hazardous waste management, and vector control.  Knowledge about the interaction between humans and the environment can lead to solutions for environmental problems through means such as policy change.   For example, you may examine how environmental factors contribute to asthma, cancer, or other diseases, or advocate for policy changes to improve water quality.  Examples of Job Titles Potential Employers Related Links Environmental Biologist Research Entomologist Air Quality Engineer Research Scientist Water Lab Supervisor Consumer Health Director   Government agencies such as: National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry Environmental Protection Agency National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences Food & Drug Administration Local and state health departments Private research facilities Environmental agencies Consulting firms  Department of Environmental Science & Engineering at UNC Environmental Health Career Profile (from Explorehealthcareers.com) Environmental Science Overview (from Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics) Sample Career Pathway (from Pfizer Guide to Careers in Public Health)   (back to top) Epidemiology Epidemiology is often considered the “basic science” of public health. One of the benefits of a career in epidemiology is that you can take it in so many different directions and apply it to a wide range of problems.    Some epidemiologists work in the field investigating outbreaks of disease, seeking to determine the cause and trying to control its spread.  Other epidemiologists design and implement studies to understand patterns of disease in society, such as the disproportionate prevalence of diabetes or cancer in a particular segment of the population.  Epidemiologists often employ knowledge and tools from other fields ranging from sociology, psychology, and statistics to cellular and molecular biology. Examples of Job Titles  Potential Employers  Related Links Public Health Epidemiologist Senior Epidemiologist Occupational Epidemiologist Program Director (of academic or medical research center) Risk Analyst Local, state, and federal government Public health departments Government agencies such as: National Institutes of Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Armed services World Health Organization (WHO) Private research foundations Pharmaceutical industry Nonprofit organizations  Department of Epidemiology at UNC Epidemiology Career Profile (from Explorehealthcareers.com) Epidemiologist Overview (from Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics) Sample Career Pathway (from Pfizer Guide to Careers in Public Health)  (back to top)   Health Behavior and Health Education This public health concentration prepares individuals for leadership positions in health education planning, management and evaluation.  Health Behavior and Health Education students study a wide range of models and methods for developing, implementing, and monitoring behavioral and social change interventions to improve the health of individuals, groups and entire communities.   For example, you may develop an intervention to slow the spread of HIV/AIDS, promote seatbelt use, or design health communications to reach individuals at risk for colon cancer.  Examples of Job Titles Potential Employers Related Links Mental Health Research Scientist Program Coordinator/Manager Education Consultant Health Educator Outreach Coordinator Research Evaluator Coalition Coordinator Public Health Advisor Local, state, and federal government Nonprofit organizations such as: Partners in Health Alameda County Community Food Bank American Cancer Society Health Care for All Community mental health centers Local health departments Corporate wellness programs Fitness facilities Schools Colleges and universities Hospitals Research and development firms International health agencies  Department of Health Behavior and Health Education at UNC Behavioral Sciences/Health Education Career Profile (from Explorehealthcareers.com) Health Educator Overview (from Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics) Sample Career Pathway (from Pfizer Guide to Careers in Public Health)    (back to top)   Health Policy and Management Health Policy and Management involves the study of health care systems, including organization, quality, and demand, clinical and financial management, health care reform, health law, and policy analysis.  For example, you may direct hospital services, analyze utilization patterns of healthcare, create policies for health insurance companies, or analyze the impact of Medicaid changes on quality of care.  Examples of Job Titles Potential Employers Related Links Health Officer Public Health Advisor Project Specialist Vice President for Strategic Development Health Policy Analyst Research Associate Operations Administrator Hospitals Health systems Clinics Medical groups Hospices Home health agencies Long-term care facilities Mental health facilities Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) Academic medical centers Public health departments Government programs and agencies such as: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Veterans Health Administration Health Resources & Services Administration  Department of Health Policy and Management at UNC Health Services Administration Profile (from Explorehealthcareers.com) Health Care Administration Overview (from Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics) Sample Career Pathway (from Pfizer Guide to Careers in Public Health)   (back to top)   Maternal and Child Health This public health field focuses on improving the health of women, children, and families in domestic and international settings through research, program planning, training, and policy development. In preparing the next generation of MCH leaders, major emphasis is placed on population-based solutions to complex health problems that are multi-factorial in origin.  For example, you may collect and use data to improve programs and decision making in  family planning, nutrition, and HIV/AIDS in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. Or, reach clinicians, community members, and policy makers with resources that help pregnant and parenting smokers quit.  Examples of Job Titles Potential Employers Related Links Project Director Clinical/Medical Director Program Planner/Evaluator Health Scientist Consultant Research Associate Public Health Prevention Specialist Developmental Services Coordinator Local, state, and federal government Nonprofit organizations Planned Parenthood March of Dimes Pan American Health Organization Ipas Local health departments Colleges and universities Hospitals Research and development firms International health agencies Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)  Department of Maternal and Child Health at UNC Maternal and Child Health Profile (from Explorehealthcareers.com) Sample Career Pathway (from Pfizer Guide to Careers in Public Health)   (back to top)   Nutrition Public health nutrition applies the physiological, biochemical, and behavioral aspects of nutrition to the health of human populations.  For example, you may advocate for nutrition-related policy changes, manage nutrition services for a school system, conduct research for a food manufacturer or hospital researcher, or work to decrease nutrient deficiencies in high risk populations.  Examples of Job Titles Potential Employers Related Links Nutritionist Consultant Worksite Wellness Specialist Policy Assistant Clinical/Registered Dietician Program Coordinator Research Associate    Government Agencies such as:   Peace Corps Indian Health Service US Department of Agriculture Food & Drug Adminstration Colleges and universities Exercise and fitness centers Federal, state, and local government Food manufacturers Health-related magazines and Internet sites Hospitals Pharmaceutical companies Weight loss clinics  Department of Nutrition at UNC Nutrition Profile (from Explorehealthcareers.com) Nutritionist Overview (from Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics) Sample Career Pathway (from Pfizer Guide to Careers in Public Health) (back to top) Public Health Leadership This area of public health focuses on the population level of health care, and seeks to build knowledge and skills related to leadership, assessment, policy development and assurance for current health care practitioners.  Careers are available in a variety of public health leadership positions. Examples of Job Titles Potential Employers Related Links Safety & Health Specialist Process Integration Manager Public Health Nurse Clinical Trials Coordinator Environmental Health Coordinator Director for Public Health Public Health Educator Bioterrorism Preparedness Specialist    Local, state, and Federal government Nonprofit organizations Local health departments Government agencies such as: Department of Health and Human Services U.S. Air Force Indian Health Service Colleges and universities Hospitals Research and development firms International health agencies Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)  Public Health Leadership Program at UNC Public Health Leadership Profile (from Explorehealthcareers.com) Sample Career Pathway (from Pfizer Guide to Careers in Public Health) (back to top)   Global Health Public health professionals are often engaged in improving the health of the world’s populations through research, service, and teaching, i.e. global health.  As global health is multidisciplinary, there is potential to work in the global arena in all of the above specialties. Examples of Job Titles Potential Employers Related Links Environmental Protection Specialist Public Health Analyst Public Health Advisor Laboratory Operations Coordinator Statistician Health Scientist  Health Education Specialist Government agencies such as: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases USAID Peace Corps Nonprofit organizations Colleges and universities Research and development firms International health agencies Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)  Office of Global Health at UNC Global Health Profile (from Explorehealthcareers.com) Sample Career Pathway (from Pfizer Guide to Careers in Public Health)   (back to top)   Additional Information The following websites provide additional information about careers in the field of public health.  For assistance with finding employment in public health, please visit Career Services. American Public Health Association Association of Schools of Public Health What is Public Health? Public Health Games Free guides to public health careers from Pfizer (back to top)

Last updated August 01, 2008