Which of these public health career paths is right for you?

Average annual salary: $69,538  

Where you can work: Academic setting in universities, colleges or non-profit organisations 

The duties and responsibilities of a public health academic vary according to the specific role, but will typically involve either performing research and teaching or supporting the discipline of academic public health.  

Public health academics may set up research investigations to address specific public health issues. Others collaborate with policy makers and global health partners to assist in the development of solutions for public health challenges. Or, at a more senior level, they can teach public health practice and theories. 

Dr Duke Appiah is a Master of Public Health graduate and PhD in Epidemiology. He talks about how access to faculty with diverse levels of expertise during his studies at SPHIS allowed him to gain a wealth of knowledge in different areas of public health that “opened several doors of opportunity” – one of which was becoming Assistant Professor and Master of Public Health Programme Director at the Department of Public Health at Texas Tech University.  

Average annual salary: $77,082 

Where you can work: Government agencies, educational institutions, research laboratories, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies

Biostatisticians work as academics in the biomedical field and support all three ‘domains’ of public health – health improvement, health protection and healthcare public health.  

Biostatisticians conduct statistical analyses to interpret complex data and information from a wide range of sources to help identify and monitor the effects of treatments, environmental conditions, and other factors on living things. They work closely with medical professionals and policy makers to provide high-quality intelligence services and recommendations for protocol or data management changes.  

A career as a biostatistician usually requires a relevant master’s or doctoral degree and experience, before progressing to senior level as you acquire more specialised training.  

What’s more, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment opportunities in this field to grow by a massive 33 percent between 2019 and 2029 – much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. 

Average annual salary: $62,426 

Where you can work: For (and with) local or national government institutions, non-profit organisations and community groups  

Health policy analysts (sometimes known as health policy specialists or public health policy analysts) are at the forefront of public health. They use advanced statistical modeling to identify and analyse data relating to the potential short and long-term effects of existing policies across various demographics.  

Health policy analysts also assist in the development of new and existing strategies, initiatives and programmes in consultation with leaders from various public health organisations, government institutions and research labs. 

Natasha DeJarnett studied the Master of Public Health and joined American Public Health Association's Centre for Public Health Policy in Washington D.C. as an environmental health policy analyst. In her role, Natasha provided governmental, workplace and community policy makers with the best available research and practice relating to various matters such as chemical exposures and climate change.

“Environmental health is important because it’s all around us. It’s the air we breathe, it’s the water we drink, and I think in terms of public health, it’s one of the areas where we are able to have the most impact,” she said. 

Natasha is now working as an assistant professor at the University of Louisville Division of Environmental Medicine. 

Average annual salary: $69,845 

Where you can work: Various institutions and organisations, including, hospitals, nursing homes, doctors’ surgeries, dentists and community centres  

The duties and responsibilities of a healthcare administrator vary depending on the area they specialise in, but will typically involve being responsible for the day-to-day, financial and strategic running of a healthcare organisation while liaising with staff and partner organisations.  

There are many healthcare administrative roles within health services, including performance and quality management, strategic management, resources and budget management, people management, and project management.  

After graduating with a Master of Public Health and working as an administrative assistant at the University of Louisville Division of Infectious Diseases, Ellen Madden secured a full-time position at the University of Louisville hospital as a project manager.  

She was responsible for leading and coordinating committees involving patient data and experience, nursing satisfaction and general hospital operations and staffing. 

Ellen is now a clinical operations business analyst at one of Kentucky's leading healthcare systems which oversees more than 40 clinics and hospitals in and around Louisville, Kentucky.