Public health is a broad field and there are many opportunities to study and practice in this exciting and relevant line of work. Below are some ideas to help you develop in your public health journey.
Seek career guidance from trusted sources, including:
- Make an appointment with University Career Services.
- Reach out to Health Professions Advising (for undergraduate students).
- Read and do the activities in the Career Readiness Guide from University Career Services.
- Read 101+ Careers in Public Health, 3rd edition by Beth Seltzer and Heather Krasna.
- Network with professors, guest speakers, and Mason alumni.
- Join clubs on campus that discuss professional topics of interest .
Review Public Health Job Postings
It can be helpful to read job descriptions of jobs you aspire to do. Think about what you are learning in your classes and how the information and assignments can help you be competitive in the job market.
- Public Health Employment Connection
- Public Health Jobs
- Public Health Career Mart
- Jobs at the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
- US Department of Health & Human Services
- National Institutes of Health - Pathways for Students and Recent Graduates
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Obtain Professional Certifications
Some students choose to add a public health certification after graduation to make themselves more competitive in the job market. The two most common public health certifications are:
- Certified in Public Health (CPH)
All MPH graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health exam administered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners.
- Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
Graduates of the BS in Community Health, as well as graduates of the MPH-Community Health Promotion concentration are eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam administered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.