r/publichealthcareers

what are careers you’ve discovered since you’ve begun your journey that are great options you hadn’t known of before?

Hi all,

I recently completed my undergraduate degree in nutrition and am in my MPH program now. I am leaning away from working as a dietitian (my original plan) due to pay and overall job satisfaction. I love public health, nutrition, and community work, and have always wanted to pursue a managerial role. I have recently been looking at public health program manager jobs, or some type of wellness/health services/ etc manager (+ other similar roles). I notice a lot of them require at least a couple of years of experience, and I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for ways to get experience now or any other jobs like this that would be interesting to look into.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! I recently graduated with my MPH and am currently looking for opportunities in epidemiology, public health, healthcare, data analysis/data science, consulting, research, or admin/operations work around Houston, Katy, or Austin. Open to full-time, part-time, contract, or temporary roles while continuing my search.

If anyone knows of openings, companies hiring, or has advice on navigating the current job market, I’d truly appreciate it. Thank you!

Hi all! I’m new to this page. I have my BA in psychology and was strongly considering an MPH, but after hearing about all the funding cuts and reading through this subreddit I'm having a change of heart. What masters programs/similar careers would you recommend pursuing instead (with guaranteed jobs and high-ish salary)? I'm in the USA (Massachusetts, if that matters).

Thanks in advance!

Hello all!

Have been looking over this page MSW and MPH posts on their respective subreddit but have noticed responses there lean a certain way, although helpful in its own!

Im in my mid 20s and am especially interested in health equity, psychology, and social justice, which has led me to consider an MSW. However, the part of me that is ambitious, is interested in systemic change like expanding Medicaid, creating a coalition of providers providing low cost services, etc. with the latter interest, I’ve been considering an MPH in public health practice and policy, which is much less focused on the social science part that I like.

I’ve done work in public health social services, like being a health navigator, Medicaid enrollment assister for a community health center, community organizing for health advocacy, grant experience (only a little), research, and marketing, all of which were focused on program implementation.

My hesitation with the MSW is the median salary after graduating. I am currently making 57k with great benefits. My ideal salary (if I were to peak and stay there) would be 90k+.

From my understanding, an MPH has a higher payout, but I don’t like the idea of a solely admin position as I enjoy the mix of admin/programming and direct client experience. Also can’t see myself working for an insurance company. Although my interests would align better with the MSW, I’m concerned about the 60k median salary (I just want a stable and well paying job 😭).

TLDR: Do I have any misunderstandings of these fields and their salaries? Thought?

TIA!!

Hello Everyone!

I wanted to shoot a message into the reddit abyss to see if I could get folks' advice.

In June (2026), I will be graduating from my undergraduate program in Public Health Policy (B.A. from UCI). I am currently in the process of finding something that can function as my transition out of school. My idea is to look for something like an internship that will carry me through the Summer until I can apply to graduate programs, which is a second piece of my question. Seeing as folks on here tend to be further into their careers and education, my hope is to provide some context on interests and focus, ask my questions and move towards personal success.

Personal Context: I am most interested in working in Tribal public health, whether that is through the Indian Health Service, a Tribal Epidemiology Center, or some adjacent workplace that maybe only happens to function in Tribal communities. I am born and raised in Southern California, am from one of the reservations in the region, and have a strong goal to eventually return my knowledge to the communities I grew up in. With this, I see the most likely avenue for my contributions to come from the areas of health policymaking, though don't see the connection (i.e. positions, titles, workplaces) to get me there. Something I have been increasingly interested in is pursuing an MPP rather than an MPH, MPH/MPP, or maybe even something like an MPH/JD. A boundary I want to set is that I don't ever forsee myself being a politician. A family friend who is a politician had once encouraged me, with my interests, to seek a career in politics, but this isn't something I am comfortable or willing to do; I do think that serving in appointment positions (technically politicians, but separate) is an eventual endeavor that I might want to consider as a much later point in my professional trajectory.

Anyways, here are my questions:

1. What jobs do you think might be worth looking into now, with my two main qualifications being the B.A. in Public Health and a certificate in Community Health?
2. Before I commit to a degree program, do you think that an MPH, MPP, JD, or dual degree would best suit what you can discern form my info blurb?

Thank you for those that read and answer; you're very appreciated!

Hi guys!

I have a Research Associate interview (Toronto) tomorrow, its with 3 panelists, but it was only scheduled for 20 mins? In your experience, is this likely a screening behavioural interview, or might it be technical as well? I'm kind of new to interviewing in the field, thanks for your help!

For those who left industry research or other healthcare fields, what kind of roles have you transitioned to in Public Health?

I'm currently a monitor for a pharmaceutical company through a third party and have learned that the travel is not worth the pay. It isn't good for a work-life balance, and it's not because I'm overworked (not due to metrics, anyway). I'd like to transition to something with less travel and more toward my degree, but I'm having a hard time finding job openings (let alone jobs that pay enough). A trend I've noticed is the need for higher education (MPH, MD, PhD) or other degrees altogether (BSN, Biostats), or licenses (social work, MA)

I'd preferably like to hear from those with similar backgrounds to myself (obviously, there is a wide range of paths that lead in and out, so if you feel it's relevant, don't ignore):

12 years in healthcare overall

Volunteered in safety committee for 2 years

Trained employees for 3 years

Clinical Research Coordinator for 3.5 years

B.S. in Health Sciences: Public Health

Part of me believes that my standards are too high, and maybe that's the reality check I need to hear....

im currently in my last semester for my masters in healthcare management. and im going to be applying for fellowships. Does anyone have any tips for applying? I also need a backup plan. If I dont get a fellowship, what are some other opportunities I can get into? I have some experience as a unit coordinator and as a nursing assistant.

I think people sometimes assume biostatistics is one of those careers where you wake up one day with a PhD and magically become employable.

My path was a lot messier than that.

I worked full-time through grad school. Not “part-time internship while studying” full-time. Actual full-time jobs while juggling classes, research, projects, deadlines, and trying not to completely lose my mind. There were years where my entire life was basically work, school, coding, and caffeine.

A lot of my early career was in healthcare and public health research support roles where I became the person people handed complicated datasets to when something wasn’t working. Missing data, broken workflows, messy longitudinal tracking, geospatial analysis, regulatory reporting, statistical programming… I kept saying yes to harder projects because honestly I didn’t know another way to learn.

Somewhere along the way, I stopped being “someone who knows stats” and became “the stats person.”

I learned quickly that biostatistics is only partly about math. A huge part of the job is:
- cleaning chaos
- figuring out what question people are actually asking
- translating technical findings into normal human language
- explaining why the model broke
- defending methods decisions
- making reproducible workflows so analyses don’t implode six months later

The degrees mattered, obviously. But the thing that got me hired was being able to demonstrate real-world problem solving.

I had experience balancing competing deadlines, working with clinicians/researchers, handling ugly real datasets, and building analyses from scratch instead of only following textbook examples.

I also think working while in school changed how I approach research. You learn very quickly how to prioritize, communicate efficiently, and survive under pressure when your schedule basically requires time travel to function.

Now I work in academic medicine doing clinical analytics and biostatistical consulting, which still feels surreal sometimes because I spent years convinced everyone else had things figured out better than I did.

If anyone here is trying to break into biostats/data science:
- Learn R thoroughly.
- Work on real datasets whenever possible.
- Don’t underestimate communication skills.
- Get comfortable with ambiguity.
- Your first jobs do not have to look glamorous to build valuable experience.
- And honestly? Persistence matters more than raw brilliance in this field.

Most of my career came from being willing to keep learning after I was already exhausted.

Hello! I graduated and am now an ASCP certified Medical Laboratory Scientist. I am happy currently, but I am interested in advancing into a role that could increase my potential earnings. Currently at around $68K (with the potential of $100K if I advance to a senior tech with time). During school they mentioned that MLS can now become Infection Control Practitioners after taking the CIC. I don't know much about the field so am looking for some advice. Is it hard to get a job? Do they get paid well? Job satisfaction? is preparing for the exam just reading the textbook? Do you have any advice on other roles that may be better? (I've also considered a Master in Public Health with the intention of becoming a laboratory director)

Thank you all!

Hi guys!! I'm at a loss of what to do with my life and right now I'm doing a double major in PH and Spanish (going into my last semester woo) but I'm trying to plan for my future and I'm very unsure. I'm curious if anyone has input of biostats grad school and masters programs!! I think I'm interested in pursuing this because it seems like I could go a few different routes and can be related to PH which I truly love. I'm just a little scared of the PH climate RN so I'm trying to find some different options post undergrad

I also have some questions

- how do I enter biostats roles... I'm trying to find any entry level anything to get my foot in the door but my experience is practically non existent, so I'd love to hear some tips!!

- maybe info about day in the life of biostats jobs or experience in biostats positions and gard school

- general thoughts on this as a plan & if it makes sense??

I'd really love any input and thoughts!!!!!

I'm an undergrad majoring in public health, and I'm trying to figure out what I want to do after--I thought about med school, but I'm not sure if it's for me. I really love public health, and I don't see myself doing anything else. I'm planning to do my school's combined BA/MPH program, but I'm considering whether I should do a DrPH or PhD after? Is it worth it

I like the idea of working in academia and doing research, but I also love the idea of working at CDPH or with my county's public health department, so I can't really decide which is better.

Hello, I am a rising senior majoring in Health Behavior and Society and I’m not sure what to do with my public health degree. At first I wanted to become a doctor but I have a 2 Ds in calculus and a C chemistry.
I genuinely feel like a failure in life. If someone can please help me and give me some guidance.

Currently working on my bachelors degree in healthcare administration with a concentration in emergency management. I am a licensed practical nurse in the U.S. Military, relevant experience as a manager/supervisor will be a 9 month deployment to Iraq in a field hospital and a little over 2 years as a floor manager in world renowned PCU in a military treatment facility. (Being vague on purpose)

Will I have trouble finding decent healthcare admin related jobs when I get out?

How much will my LPN help out? Obviously an RN would help me a lot more but

Hi there,

I have an interview for an Epidemiological Research Coordinator position at a fairly big hospital. I'm really excited about it – the research is really appealing to me. I've been prepping, however, I've mostly been interviewing for Research Analyst positions. I'm wondering if you lovely people may have some tips/questions to prep for a Coordinator position? Thank you!

Hey everyone! I'm u/Animoma, a founding moderator of r/PrevMedDoctors.

Welcome to a community for residents, fellows, and attending physicians in Preventive Medicine and Occupational Medicine. This subreddit is a place to discuss residency training, board preparation, career opportunities, research, public health, workplace medicine, and the evolving role of our specialty in healthcare. Members are encouraged to share experiences, resources, clinical insights, career advice, and educational materials related to Preventive and Occupational Medicine.

Together, let's make r/PrevMedDoctors amazing.

I graduated in Cardiac Technology with a CGPA of 9. Honestly, I took this course because I thought I could avoid maths 😭 but we still had Biostatistics. Surprisingly, I managed it pretty well. Academically I was always good in theory, diagnosis, reading ECGs, understanding cases, etc. But when it came to clinical postings like ECG, ECHO, TMT, and Cath Lab, I started realizing this field might not be for me.

In Cath Lab, I liked the diagnostic side, but most of the work was handling machines according to the doctor’s needs. I personally didn’t see much long-term growth there. And the salary being around 15k/month after spending lakhs on the degree honestly felt depressing.

ECHO was the biggest struggle for me. I genuinely hated doing ECHO and TMT postings. Handling patients was extremely stressful for me, especially the thought of emergencies happening around me. I realized I’m not someone who can stay calm and react quickly in those situations. It made me feel like maybe I don’t belong in direct patient care roles.

During my internship, I came across courses like Web Development, Software Testing, Data Science, Digital Marketing, etc. That’s when I got interested in Data Analytics because I thought maybe I could move into healthcare/pharma corporate roles or eventually grow into something bigger if I became good at it.

So I learned Excel, SQL, Python, Power BI, and Tableau. I kept applying for jobs, but I barely got shortlisted. And in almost every interview, they asked the same question:

“Why are you switching from a medical background to tech?”

Even when I answered honestly, I could feel they preferred candidates from CS/IT backgrounds, which honestly makes sense from their side too.

Then I tried applying for healthcare analytics roles and hospital data-related jobs, but there were barely any openings. Some hospitals didn’t even have proper analytics teams.

So now I’m doing MCA through correspondence while continuing to search for opportunities. I also got a job in an edtech company, but it has nothing to do with analytics. Still, I haven’t fully given up on what I studied.

I just want to know has anyone else here shifted from an allied health/medical background into tech or analytics successfully? Especially from courses like Cardiac Technology, Perfusion Technology, Radiology, Physiotherapy, Biotechnology, etc.

Sometimes it genuinely feels like I’m stuck between two worlds.

https://preview.redd.it/kvtlvnrgpr1h1.png?width=1700&format=png&auto=webp&s=0817ef995135304168bf0c6da32c0572353177d3

I post here because you all will understand public health resumes specifically...so I apologize!

I just want a good look at what I've created and what I can do better.

I want to focus in epidemiology but there are not many jobs of course out there haha.

I am aware my different jobs do not look great, but it's a long story :(

(also there is a date in my resume for the 211 internship, I just removed it for this post.)

hello! ive been job searching in public health and was hoping to get advice from anyone in the field, especially in the dmv area, or anyone who entered the field without a large professional network.

i completed my mph last summer and have experience in public health research, harm reduction, crisis advocacy, and community health work. my interests are in women’s health, sexual/reproductive health, epidemiology, and health education. later on, i hope to get into health policy work, though most of my current experiences is more research and community health-focused. i originally planned to pursue a phd immediately after my mph, but decided to wait until there was stronger funding support, so right now im focused on gaining full-time experience.

over the past several months, i've been applying through linkedin, handshake, government sites, nonprofit career pages, university portals, and pretty much everywhere else i can think of. i’ve tailored my resumes and cover letters for different roles and had one county government interview that i’m currently waiting to hear back from, but otherwise haven’t had much traction yet.

another challenge has honestly been networking. i don’t really have existing public health connections, and even cold reaching out for referrals or informational interviews/calls has been a lot harder for me compared to the advice i see.

i'd really appreciate any insight from anyone who has navigated the early-career public health job market recently. if anyone knows of any organizations/companies that tend to hire new mph grads, job titles i may not be searching for, or general advice for breaking into the field, i'd greatly appreciate it! i'm open to research, epidemiology, health education, program coordination, community health, and any other related roles. thank you all so so much!