The pandemic didn’t merely increase awareness about public health among the masses, but it also created new job roles for students and job–seekers interested in the health sector. Today, several factors negatively impact the well-being of Americans. Obesity has already become a massive problem, and smoking ails the health of many teenagers.
Studying public health can help you enhance the well-being of a population and help people abandon unhealthy habits. Also, it’s a steady career for anyone looking for further career advancement opportunities. This article explains why students should consider studying public health in 2023 and how this degree can help them in the future. Read the following benefits of obtaining an MPH degree:
An in-demand sector
The demand for public health experts isn’t fading away anytime soon. While we enter the fourth year of COVID, the United States needs healthcare professionals to guide the nation through recovery. This ongoing role of public health practitioners is a major reason why students should consider studying this subject. Your services will always be needed when it comes to research work or social justice. Your expertise won’t become irrelevant as long as diseases still exist.
Higher job security
As public health careers are popular right now, they will also remain in demand in the projected future. Students may get job offers directly after finishing their degrees. You can also leverage distance learning courses to hone your know-how and skills for better careers. Get an MPH online degree and join an active career after graduating. The higher job security promised to public health professionals makes these careers even more lucrative. Also, earning a dual degree can make you more employable.
A challenging career
Public health isn’t an easygoing career and is filled with different challenges. It’s all about problem-solving, critical thinking, and conflict management. You have to deal with new issues all the time and resolve them properly. It’s a chance to test your mettle and become a better decision-maker. Learn that there are some careers in public health where you don’t have to face so many challenges all the time. However, adventure-loving people can always find some exhilarating jobs in this industry.
Various career paths
It’s not like you have to choose among a few careers in public health. Various public health careers are available in the United States, and students can pursue several avenues after graduating. It’s all about finding a job you like doing. MPH degree holders often find work as the following:
- Work as the director of a homeless shelter
- Getting a job at your local school or joining a private organization
- Finding work in the government, such as the community health educator
Global job opportunities
Public health jobs aren’t just located in the United States; the need for these services is worldwide. Therefore, you can study public health to benefit from global job opportunities. That’s why many public health practitioners, who like to travel, join this career. For instance, many people are passionate about helping people living in Third World countries. Broaden your horizon and learn about different cultures. That’s how public health can help you develop yourself professionally.
Get paid handsomely
Another reason you should get an MPH degree involves the lucrative payments made to these professionals. Your salary will depend on your specialization, but it’s estimated that MPH degree holders usually make $111,000 annually on average. Salaries in public health also vary from state to state. So, you can earn over $120,000 by finding a job in New York. Moreover, other factors, such as your experience, dictate how much you’ll be paid.
Help other people
Public health jobs enable you to help people. For instance, you can become involved with a community directly and create awareness among people about their well-being. While staying with these communities, you carefully observe them to create statistics regarding their well-being. That’s how you can determine local health issues and help people avoid them. Your education in this field allows you to become a valuable asset to the health sector, particularly the local ones.
Tackle health emergencies
Most notably, a public health official’s responsibilities revolve around tackling health emergencies. For instance, public health officers fought tooth and nail against the COVID pandemic and are still combating the ramifications of this global crisis efficiently. If you have specialized in biostatistics or epidemiology, you are more likely to find work in pandemic-related fields. That’s how you can become more relevant in your sector and climb the ladder of success effortlessly in the future.
Become a leader
You can become a leader in the industry with an MPH degree. Your main goal should be to climb the ladder of success in this industry until you become an industry leader. That’s how you can participate in public health-related policymaking. Leadership improves your chances to bring meaningful changes in a community and more effectively change the health of everyone. So, leadership positions are another reason you should consider studying public health now.
Address health issues
As a public health graduate, you can address several issues affecting the well-being of Americans. A common issue involves obesity; around 5 million children in the USA aged 10-17 years suffer from obesity. So, you can address these issues promptly and find solutions that affect a community.
Conclusion
In short, public health has become a major concern among Americans today. Thus, getting an MPH degree can help you kickstart your career in the health sector with a decent salary. Also, you can find work around the globe and eventually get promoted to leader. A career in public health lets you join an industry filled with challenges, an institution where you can help people and address public health concerns efficiently. Become a part of the solution by earning an MPH degree.