Careers in Public Health

"Public health is a wonderful field because, no matter what you enjoy, there is a need for your skills."
Susan Scrimshaw, PhD, former Chair of Associations of Schools of Public Health

Public Health
May be for you if …
• Working on the health of a community, state, or even the world, is more exciting than providing care to an individual patient.
• Problem-solving and critical thinking are strengths.
• Preventing disease, rather than treating disease, is intriguing.
• A variety of areas of study are interesting to you.

In High School
• Work to understand your strengths and interests. Do you enjoy finding out “why” in chemistry; analyzing information in calculus; making presentations in speech; understanding policy and government in civics?
• Become familiar with public health specialties, and talk to your counselor and family about which ones may fit you.
• Decide which college and college major offers the best preparation for your interest. Some public health specialties are available as undergraduate majors, and others are not.
• Take a college-preparatory class load, and develop good study habits to make college more manageable.
• If you are not interested in college, talk to your local health department about the types of jobs available in public health with a high school diploma. If you are postponing college, the health department may help you gain public health experience in the meantime.

In College
• Work toward academic excellence to help you compete for career and graduate school opportunities later.
• Look for chances to gain practical experience in public health, perhaps as a research assistant, a public health unit, or at a corporate wellness center.
• Continue to research career possibilities. Consider talking with people at the UAMS College of Public Health and the state and local health departments to learn more.

Other Links
• Overview of public health - http://www.whatispublichealth.org/
• Career brochure - http://www.asph.org/files/ASPH_Brochure_LQ.pdf
• UAMS College of Public Health - http://www.uams.edu/coph/
• Careers in public health - http://www.cdc.gov/excite/careers/
• Pfizer Guide to Public Health - http://www.pfizercareerguides.com/publichealth.html