For people seeking a career that improves the quality of life for those around them, a degree in public health is a rewarding option. Professionals in this field may work one on one with individuals, but are primarily focused on protecting and promoting the health of populations, including the people in your community!
Public health workers may be enlisted to held with administration of vaccinations, including vaccine education and provide important information related to prevention of chronic disease schools, hospitals and public- and private-sector workplaces employ a variety of public health workers to oversee everything from workplace safety policies to nutrition and counseling.
Beyond the rewards of helping others are the very real benefits of high employability and significant wage earnings that come with a degree in public health.
The Growing Demand for Healthcare Workers
A 2017 article in Study International (a website that connects students with universities) noted that longer lifespans in the United States are driving the growing demand for healthcare professionals. Concerns over environmental pollution and other health-related challenges are increasing the demand for “public health experience,” the article said.
Echoing the need for qualified public health workers, a resource for online graduate degree programs in public health recently stated, “For well-trained candidates who enjoy challenges, tolerate sudden changes well and have a genuine desire to help others, a career in the public health arena can be extremely rewarding. Although a profession in public health is often extremely demanding, this industry offers benefits of a good salary and a long-term career. Public health will always need the energetic commitment of concerned, knowledgeable professionals.”
Public Health Salaries
Many public health jobs offer competitive salaries. The online public health degree guide Public Health Degrees listed the six highest-paid public health jobs: health and safety engineer ($86,720), environmental scientist ($68,910), healthcare administrator ($96,540), biostatistician ($81,950) and epidemiologist ($70,820). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States is projected to add more than 2.4 million new healthcare positions between 2016 and 2026, which exceeds the growth for any other sector.
The career field of public health is ideal for candidates who thrive on solving challenges and helping others. One public health worker, Charlie Rose, was recently profiled in The New York Times. His job in the emergency medical services (EMS) field is described as “saving lives while others are sleeping.”
“The quicker I get the person to a surgeon, the greater the chance they’ll survive,” he said.
Whether serving as first responders or working behind the scenes as epidemiologists, public health workers positively impact the lives of Americans every day. A degree in public health is the first step toward this exciting and rewarding career.
Learn more about the UTA online Bachelor of Science in Public Health program.
Sources:
Public Health Degrees: Highest Paid Public Health Careers
Online Masters in Public Health: Job Outlook for Careers in Public Health
The New York Times: His Job Is Saving Lives When Others Are Sleeping
StudyInternational.com: Degrees Without Borders: The Rising Demand for Public Health Graduates
