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Blog Summary
Discover the vital role of public health careers in tackling global challenges such as COVID-19. From undergraduate to graduate levels, opportunities abound in disease prevention, health promotion, and emergency response. Gain expertise through reputable programs and contribute to improving public health worldwide.
The importance of public health degrees has never been more prominent in the public’s minds than in recent times with the COVID-19 pandemic. We can learn the importance of public health during the epidemic, where first responders, policymakers, and social service medical personnel spring into action to help those who need help.
The field of public health is ripe with opportunities for deserving candidates all across the African continent. Be it a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree, there are varying levels of positions in both the public and private sectors.
While some don’t know the career progression one can have with a bachelor’s degree, many candidates are also easily overwhelmed by all the opportunities, leading many to a popular question: Is public health a good career?
What Is Public Health?
Public health is the discipline dedicated to preventing disease, promoting health, and extending life through coordinated efforts, as defined by the WHO. It plays a critical role as society’s safety net, addressing health issues, and fostering awareness of healthy practices. Here are key points to understand its importance:
- Definition and Scope: Public health encompasses disease prevention, health promotion, and emergency response, serving as a comprehensive approach to safeguarding community well-being.
- Foundational Role: It acts as the first line of defense against diseases and health threats, contributing significantly to societal resilience and stability.
- Global Significance: Public health is essential for every nation as it underpins national development and prosperity, ensuring the health and productivity of populations.
- Objectives: The primary goals include preventing chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes, as well as controlling communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
Understanding these aspects highlights why public health is indispensable in shaping healthy societies and managing current and future health challenges effectively.
Public health professionals achieve these goals by taking advantage of their research and data analytical skills, developing understanding, education programs, health policies, and facilitating proactive medical exercises. But the question remains, is public health a good career?
Is Public Health a Good Career?
In short, yes, it is a great career choice. Here’s why:
Growing Sector
Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing employment sectors globally, especially in Africa. Public health professions, although currently a small percentage of the industry, are expected to grow significantly.
Diverse Opportunities
A bachelor’s degree in public health opens doors to a wide range of opportunities. This positive career outlook is driven by rising demand due to workplace safety initiatives and increased public awareness of health and wellness issues.
Critical Need
The WHO estimates a global health workforce shortage of 14.5 million required for Universal Health Coverage. Africa faces the most critical shortage, projected to reach 6.1 million by 2030.
High Demand
Attention to infectious diseases, chronic illnesses, and mental health has generated strong demand for public health workers. Prevention campaigns, policy proposals, and health studies rely on various skills and expertise.
Broad Scope
The extensive scope of public health supports a range of skills, interests, and occupational goals. Public health specialists can pursue careers in various settings. includes,
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Government Agencies
- Community-Based Agencies
- UniversitiesMedical Facilities
- Pharmaceutical Companies
The career opportunities average annual salary and career growth one can avail of with a bachelor in public health degree are as follows:
| Role | Average Annual Salary (Converted to USD) | Career Growth Outlook |
| Biostatistician | $32544 | 33% |
| Health Information Technician | $23969 | 13% |
| Healthcare Administrator | $48091 | 10% |
| Community Services Manager | $103,680 | 23.2% |
| Emergency Management Director | $50989 | 8% |
| Environmental Scientist | $15839 | 11% |
| Epidemiologist | $74,120 | 10.2% |
| Public Health Nurse | $19290 | 8% |
| Mental Health Counselor | $24447 | 28.5% |
| Health Educator | $18743 | 19% |
| Professor | $35696 | 15% |
| Nutritionist | $15289 | 15% |
| Healthcare Policy Analyst | $43301 | NA |
| Public Health Researcher | $20993 | NA |
| Social Worker | $11378 | 26.8% |
Data compiled from PayScale, SalaryExplorer, PublicServiceDegree.com, and Indeed
Please note that this data is tentative and may vary depending upon the country, hiring organization, and the candidate’s profile.
Why Should You Consider a Career in Public Health?
The field’s broad scope can provide significant occupational mobility. Thus, pursuing a career in public health comes with various benefits for aspiring students and established professionals alike. Past the wide band of career possibilities, the public health division can enable enthusiastic individuals to make a difference in the community, both abroad and domestically.
A public health career path is excellent for candidates who want to tackle emerging and existing health problems in their area, solve complicated global issues, and be instrumental in creating and aiding sustainable healthcare solutions.
While bachelor-level public health courses appeal to school-going students who have a strong desire to help others, it is also a worthwhile endeavor for professionals inspired to make a career move. This move is most favorable as the core skills are conducive to overlay with public health fields such as education, research, policymaking, nonprofit, and government agencies.
What Does It Take to Enlist in a Public Health Career?
One of the best ways to ensure a successful career in public health is to have a recognized degree from an established institution. In association with the University of Central Nicaragua(UCN), TAU offers a two-year online bachelor of public health course. This course is for working people who can pursue their degree without leaving their job.
This course is exclusively designed to provide students and professionals with the knowledge, expertise, and technical skills they need to pursue a range of career paths in the public health space.
TAU-UCN has an excellent and proven academic background. Our patented block-based learning management platform known as BRICS is perfect in providing bite-sized learning to help professionals and students learn at the right phase. Our alumni are placed in major public and private organizations worldwide, which shows our program’s quality education and training.
Our alumni can innovate and thrive in any professionally taxing situation across the globe. We concentrate on building the most outstanding pioneers, employees, and leaders through quality education. TAU-UCN plays an essential role in founding high-quality literacy in Africa for the betterment of the continent.
Explore how TAU-UCN’s Public Health program equips students with the knowledge and skills to capitalize on diverse career opportunities in the dynamic field of public health.
Conclusion
Pursuing a career in public health offers promising prospects in a rapidly growing field that is pivotal for global well-being. With increasing awareness and demand driven by health crises like COVID-19, public health professionals play a crucial role in disease prevention, health promotion, and community resilience. The diverse opportunities within public health, from healthcare administration to epidemiology and policy-making, cater to a range of interests and skills. As society prioritizes health and wellness, public health remains a rewarding career choice for those passionate about making a difference in their communities and beyond, addressing pressing health challenges effectively.
