Careers in Public and One Health (PAOH)

There is a strong demand for professionals with bachelor’s-level public health training and this employment demand is projected to increase both regionally and nationally. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected change in job placement opportunities for public health professionals over the next decade is expected to grow faster than the national average for other professional fields.

Public and One Health (PAOH) students may choose various electives depending on interests and career goals. Program graduates may begin working in entry-level careers in public, animal or environmental health. Or if interested in attending medical, veterinary or other professional or graduate programs, all prerequisite academic requirements for those programs can be completed within the credit hours required for this major.

Public Health Fields

Epidemiology

Epidemiologists study the distribution and causes of diseases in populations. They investigate outbreaks, research disease patterns, and work to develop methods of disease prevention.

Epidemiology Sample Job Titles and Potential Employers

Health Policy and Management

Professionals in health policy and management focus on the administration of health services and the development of public health policies. Their work ensures that health systems run efficiently and that policies support the health of populations. They often work to improve access to health care and influence public policy.

Health Policy and Management Sample Job Titles and Potential Employers

Environmental Health

Environmental health professionals focus on the impact of environmental factors like air, water, and soil on public health. They work to mitigate risks from pollution, chemicals, and unsafe living environments. This field includes managing environmental health programs, conducting inspections, and developing policies for safe environments.

Environmental Health Sample Job Titles and Potential Employers

Animal Sciences

This field addresses zoonotic diseases, food safety, animal welfare, and the role animals play in ecosystems. Professionals in this area work to control diseases in animal populations, ensure public health safety, and improve animal care practices.

Animal Sciences Sample Job Titles and Potential Employers

Global Health

Global health professionals address health disparities in different countries and develop strategies for improving health outcomes globally. Their work may involve coordinating responses to pandemics, improving health infrastructure in developing nations, and implementing health initiatives across borders.

Global Health Sample Job Titles and Potential Employers

Community Health

Community health focuses on improving health outcomes in specific populations or communities. This involves developing and implementing programs aimed at preventing diseases, promoting health education, and addressing the social determinants of health.

Community Health Sample Job Titles and Potential Employers

Behavioral and Social Sciences

Professionals in this field examine how behavior and social factors influence health outcomes. They design interventions to promote healthier behaviors in specific populations. The topic of their work includes mental health, substance abuse, maternal health, and many more.

Behavioral and Social Sciences Sample Job Titles and Potential Employers

Emergency Preparedness

Professionals in emergency preparedness work to plan for and respond to public health emergencies such as natural disasters, pandemics, and bioterrorism attacks. They coordinate efforts across various sectors to ensure effective responses to crises.

Emergency Preparedness Sample Job Titles and Potential Employers

Find Job Openings in Public Health

Job Boards

• Emory Public Health Employment Connection – public health jobs and résumés
  The Emory Public Health Connection posts a wide variety of public health jobs. The most common employers include health departments, universities, consulting firms, and government agencies (eg., CDC, FDA, etc.)
• Search College and University Jobs – HigherEdJobs
  HigherEdJobs posts job listings from universities and colleges that can be filtered by school, location, or category. Search terms such as “Community Health Worker”, “Laboratory Assistant”, or “Research Specialist” can narrow down job postings to ones that relate to health sciences and public health.
• American Public Health Association
  The American Public Health Association (APHA) jobs page features public health related job postings from universities, hospitals, and nonprofits.  
• USAJOBS – The Federal Government’s official employment site
  USAJOBS posts federal job listings that can be filtered by type, location, pay, etc. Using broad search times such as “health” or “environment” and then filtering by location or pay provides the best results.  
• Job Search | HHS Careers
  The HHS job board lists openings within the Department of Health and Human Services. Jobs can be filtered by agencies and offices which can lead to more specific results.  
• Employment Opportunities | Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)
  The Alabama Department of Public Health Employment Opportunities page lists jobs currently available at the ADPH. Entry level jobs include Public Health Educator, Disease Intervention Specialist, and Public Health Research Analyst. To view all available jobs an Online Employment System Account has to be made.  

Resources  

• Public Health Career Checklist
• Public Health Internship Guide    
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• O*NET