Public Health Major Jobs & Career Resources

What can you do with a public health degree?

Public health professionals work to improve health and well-being among individuals, communities, and populations. Graduates with a public health degree work in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, health care systems, research institutions, and global health organizations. Many students choose to continue their education in graduate or clinical programs such as public health, medicine, nursing, or health administration.

Career Areas in Public Health

Please note that the field of public health is broad and these descriptions do not include all areas or subfields. In addition, there is overlap among the areas described below.

Population Health and Community Impact

Helps people and communities stay healthy through health promotion programs that improve knowledge, attitudes, skills, behaviors and/or creates healthier settings. Key topics include nutrition, physical activity, substance use, mental health, sleep, etc.

Job Titles/Roles: Community Health Worker, Health Education Specialist, Program Manager/Coordinator, Community Engagement Program Specialist, Workplace Wellness Coordinator, Health Communication Specialist, Harm Reduction Outreach Specialist

Improves the health of mothers, children, and families through programs and services that support wellness, prevent illness, and promote healthy development.

Key topics include reproductive health, access to care, and addressing social determinants of health.

Job Titles/Roles: Maternal and Child Health Program Coordinator, Family Health Specialist, Family Resource Coordinator, Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) Service Associate

Contributes to understanding and addressing health challenges in other countries, in particular in low- and middle-income countries.

Key topics include food insecurity, access to clean water, addressing social determinants of health, preparing for and responding to extreme weather and other emergencies, protecting human rights, and reducing injuries.

Job Titles/Roles: Public Health Advisor, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Humanitarian Health Advisor, Program Manager/Coordinator

Science, Data, and Disease Prevention

Studies patterns of risk factors, diseases, and injuries; compares subpopulations; and provides data to inform public health programs and policies.

Spans all public health topics.

Job Titles/Roles: Epidemiologist, Biostatistician, Data Analyst/Manager, Health Informatics Specialist, Public Information Officer, Infection Preventionist, Clinical Research Coordinator, Research Assistant

Protects people from environmental and workplace hazards.

Key topics include safe food, clean air and water, environmental justice, climate change, disaster preparedness and response, injury prevention, occupational safety and health, and zoonotic and vector-borne diseases (an area of public health called “One Health”).

Job Titles/Roles: Environmental Health Officer/Specialist, Health Inspector, Sustainability Manager, Safety Coordinator, Emergency Management Specialist, One Health Researcher

Provides and coordinates public health laboratory services and reports data to community and/or government partners.

Key topics include infectious diseases and identifying environmental hazards.

Job Titles/Roles: Laboratory Manager, Laboratory Technician, Program Coordinator, Quality Assurance Specialist, Data Manager

Health Care Systems, Public Health Policy, and Program Leadership

Focuses on understanding and addressing differences in health outcomes across sub-populations.

Key topics include access to health care and other services/programs, addressing social determinants of health, and social justice.

Job Titles/Roles: Patient or Client Care Coordinator, Health Disparities Researcher, Community Engagement Specialist, Benefit Counsellor, Patient Navigator, Patient Relations Coordinator

Works to change policies in organizations and/or at the local, state, or federal level to improve health outcomes.

Key topics include gun violence, road safety, food security, climate change, mental health, consumer protection, and funding for public health programs and research.

Job Titles/Roles: Policy Specialist, Health Policy Analyst, Legislative or Policy Advisor, Advocacy Manager, Community Organizer, Health Policy Researcher

Leads programs or organizations working to improve public health. Contributions may include supervising a team, leading grant applications, managing budgets, and coordinating and reporting on grant-funded programs.

Spans all public health topics.

Job Titles/Roles: Health Program Supervisor, Administrative Officer, Executive Director, Grants Manager, Program Coordinator

For additional career information on duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations, visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Core Skills for Public Health Professionals

Adapted from the Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice.

Collaboration and Community Partnerships

  • Work with various partners to solve health problems; partners may include neighborhood groups, nonprofits, government agencies, health care organizations, researchers, and companies
  • Ensure programs and policies reflect the needs and voices of the community
  • Consult relevant organizations and people in planning stages

Communication

  • Clearly and accurately communicate health information to various audiences/sub-populations to ensure that everyone can understand and act on the information
  • Create culturally appropriate materials, talk (and listen) to community members, and address misinformation

Data Analysis and Assessment of Needs and Outcomes

  • Use data and evidence to identify areas of greatest need and help communities obtain resources and support they need to stay healthy
  • Collect and analyze health information or locate and use existing, reputable sources

Health Equity

  • Identify and address health disparities, advocate for addressing social determinants of health, and improve programs to reach under-served communities
  • Reduce barriers and promote health among vulnerable sub-populations

Leadership and Systems Thinking

  • Understand how different organizations, policies, and systems work together to affect health
  • Lead projects, guide partnerships, and develop innovative strategies to address complex health challenges

Program Management and Funding

  • Coordinate people, funding, and other resources to run public health programs effectively and efficiently
  • May involve applying for grants, managing budgets, coordinating teams, and/or evaluating program performance

Policy Development and Program Planning

  • Create and improve policies, programs, and services that support health
  • Develop health initiatives, plan community programs, and evaluate how programs and policies are impacting populations

Public Health Science

  • Study trends in risk factors and health outcomes, evaluate interventions, and contribute new knowledge to public health
  • Analyze data and disseminate results to inform future evidence-based public health programs/initiatives

additional resources

Careers in Public Health

Internships, Research and Fellowship Opportunities

Getting applied experience in your field is critical. The following resources will allow you to learn more about your department’s opportunities and process, as well introduce you to other major-specific internship posting resources. For information and support finding and receiving an internship in your major, contact your department's internship coordinator.

Public Health Career Pathways and Opportunities

The resources below are a starting point for your job search. In addition to making use of the internet to do research, we encourage you to talk to people in the fields you are interested in (don’t forget to use TU’s Tiger Mentor Network) to learn more about specific opportunities and organizations.

Career Pathways and Opportunities

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
    • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • Local and state health departments (e.g., Maryland Department of Health, Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore County Department of Health)
  • Government agencies focused on environmental health, social services, and occupational safety
    • Roles: Address issues such as food safety, housing, workplace safety, and environmental exposures
  • Hospitals and health systems (e.g., Johns Hopkins Health System, MedStar Health, University of Maryland Medical System)
    • Roles: Support patient care, population health initiatives, quality improvement, and hospital-based prevention programs
  • Community Health Centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
    • Roles: Provide preventive services to underserved communities, often focusing on access, equity, and chronic disease management
  • Health insurance organizations (e.g., CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Kaiser Permanente)
    • Roles: Work on population health management, care coordination, data analysis, and programs that improve health outcomes and reduce costs

Local and Regional Organizations:

Local and Regional Organizations:

Disease and condition-specific organizations (diabetes, Alzheimer’s, hematology-focused groups)

Roles: Develop education campaigns, support patient services, and contribute to advocacy and research initiatives

  • Research efforts at universities, especially public health schools/programs
    • Roles: Assist with study design, data collection and analysis, and dissemination of research findings
  • Schools of medicine
    • Roles: Support population health initiatives, community outreach, research coordination, data analysis, and health equity programs
  • FHI 360
  • John Snow Institute (JSI)
  • RAND
  • Workforce wellness organizations
    • Roles: Design and implement employee wellness programs, analyze health trends, and promote preventive health initiatives
  • Technology companies focused on health-related products and services
    • Roles: Support digital health tools, data analysis, health education platforms, and user-centered program development
  • Health-focused consulting and data analytics firms
    • Roles: Conduct program evaluations, analyze population health data, and inform strategy and policy recommendations
  • School systems (K-12 and higher education)
    • Roles: Deliver health education, support wellness initiatives for students and staff, and address behavioral and mental health needs

Public Health Major Example Resumes and Interview Questions

For major specific resume examples, we encourage you to look at the Example Public Health Resume (PDF) in addition to our Example Resume Database.

Below are example interview questions for your field. In preparing for the interview, you’ll also want to review common interview questions (PDF) asked of all majors, thoroughly research the organization, dress professionally, and visit the interview skills section of the Career Center’s website. You can practice your interview skills online via Big Interview or schedule a mock interview with a Career Center staff member.

Interview Questions

  • How would you explain a health topic so that someone with no health background could understand it?
  • Describe a public health program you would create or improve.
  • How would you address a public health challenge in a community with limited resources?
  • Describe an example of how you applied skills you learned in a project or class.
  • How would you evaluate whether a public health program is successful?
  • Describe a situation where you had to lead or organize a team to achieve a goal.
  • How would you communicate important health information during a public health emergency (such as an outbreak or natural disaster)?
  • Describe how you would use data to identify a health problem and guide your decisions.
  • What ethical considerations are important in public health, and how would you handle a situation involving confidentiality or trust?
  • Tell me about a time you had to adapt to a challenge or unexpected change in a project or team setting?
  • Describe your experience in social services, especially working with women, children or chemical dependency.
  • Describe how you go about establishing a relationship with a client.
  • Describe how you motivate clients to change behaviors in their lives that keep them from succeeding.
  • Describe what actions you would take to engage a client who is using.
  • Describe how you would prioritize demands on your time, such as needy clients, clients in crisis, and paperwork.
  • Describe any experiences you have had working in a client's home.
  • What kind of things can you learn about a client in a home visit?
  • What kinds of experiences have you had working with mentally ill clients? How about threatening or violent behavior?
  • Describe any experiences you have had working with children from birth to 3 years old.
  • Describe your 'approach' to case management.
  • Describe your experience coordinating services with other providers.
  • Describe what kinds of documentation you have had to do?

Professional Associations

Professional associations offer many benefits to students, often including reduced-price membership, mentorship programs, “careers in…” information, job and internship listings, field-related conferences and publications, and much more. Be sure to check out sections on the associations’ websites related to students, education, careers, etc.

Related TU Student Organizations