In recent months, the global public health profession has been shaken to its core. With the new U.S. administration’s actions laying off millions of public health workers and disbanding major public health agencies, people now question whether a public health career is worthwhile anymore.
The once-honored profession, with the promise of being able to make the world a better place, now seems shaky and uncertain. For those thinking of entering the field, visions of a healthier world seem far away, shrouded in political ambiguity and system defects.
Is a public health career still worth it? What can I do to get myself ready for public health job? Are my qualifications still capable of helping me land a new job? Let’s read ahead and find out the answer.
The Condition of Public Health in the Current Climate
To say that the American public health profession is at a crossroads will be an understatement. The new administration’s policy shift orchestrated by DOGE—the Division of Government Efficiency in the U.S. has left chaos in its wake, such as mass firings and defunding of key public health agencies.
Systems long in place that serve to respond to health emergencies, disease outbreaks, and environmental health risks are being dismantled or compelled to survive on reduced resources. The reductions have gotten some to question whether a career in public health is as rosy as it once was.
Numerous young professionals are questioning whether the profession is worth the investment, considering its precarious nature. Where once public health promised stability and established career paths, now it seems like a perilous profession, subject to political whim.
Future public health professionals might be reluctant, wondering how their education will be leveraged to build meaningful work when the institutions to which they aspired to belong are contracting or disappearing altogether.
The Indispensable Role of Public Health in Society
Despite the challenges, public health’s fundamental purpose in society remains as relevant as ever. Public health professionals are at the forefront of fighting disease crises, promoting access to health care, and improving lives. Without them, populations would be vulnerable to disease, environmental risks, and health disparities.
Think of the COVID-19 pandemic response, vaccine rollout, and ongoing fight for mental health awareness. Those efforts were spearheaded by public health professionals, who worked relentlessly to protect populations.
As global health challenges mount, from climate change to aging populations, the demand for skilled public health professionals will only increase. Despite the changing politics, the need for those who can repair health problems and improve lives never wavers. If you’re considering a career in public health, you’re part of a profession that continues to make great, lasting difference, even in the face of challenges. Don’t give up. Persevere. Be resilient.
Why is a Public Health Career Still Worth It?
Although the future of public health is not clear, the value of a career in public health is. For one thing, the career prospects have expanded beyond the traditional government level. Public health practitioners may need to look further than where we had always looked previously.
Public health workers are finding rewarding careers in non-profit agencies, private consulting firms, international health organizations, and even corporate health programs. These organizations are no less committed to advancing public health goals, either in collaboration with governments or on their own to implement health projects. It is gratifying to see that several private sector organizations and NGOs are stepping up and bolstering the employment prospects for public health professionals. Truth be told, every sector of the society is still grappling to react to the tsunami of these chaos and changes.
In addition, global health issues keep on rising, and it is therefore more crucial that there are more public health practitioners. Climate change, emerging infections, health inequities, and mental health crises are all complex issues that need innovative solutions.
As populations age and new health issues emerge, public health practitioners will play a key role in shaping future health policy, crisis management, and health equity.
A career in public health is not about finding a job; it’s about making a lasting difference. Whether you’re fighting a pandemic, working on social determinants of health, or making sure communities have access to care, your work will leave a lasting legacy. For entry level public health professionals the mantra of survival in the new dispensation is captured in the three Rs—Retreat, Retool, and Release. Take a pause from what you’re doing; retool your strategy, and release yourself from the fear instigated by a mindset that has been peppered by the perceptions of impossibilities.
During difficult times, public health will always offer a sense of satisfaction that comes with being part of something greater than yourself. For those who desire to be a force for change, a career in public health is a strong and worthwhile choice.
The Evolving World of Public Health Professions
The age of public health is changing. The profession adapts to new realities, including political change, technological innovation, and changing public health priorities. The public health worker today is not just a government employee but an individual who can work across sectors and industries.
Technology innovations have created new career avenues, including digital health, health data analysis, artificial intelligence, and public health informatics, where professionals use data to track, predict, and prevent health threats. Professionals no longer need to remain in their traditional public health roles; they are exploring other domains, including tech, data science, and policy consulting.
Moreover, the public health system is more resilient and responsive. Public health professionals are adapting to tough times, working to level the playing field and insisting on better care systems.
In the midst of chaos, however, the determination of public health professionals has been what has sustained the power of the field. While government-funded positions decline, the mission of the discipline remains the same: to advance and protect community health.
The Bottom Line
Public health professionals are at the forefront of combating the most critical health issues of our time. Despite the adversity, the potential of creating real positive change is limitless. If your motivations are a desire to help others, fight social injustice, and create healthier communities, then a career in public health is absolutely worth it. The world needs people like you, now more than ever. If you are looking for an opportunity to 3-Rs your preparedness to enter the field of public health, read more about the Public Health 360 program. This program offered by GHEP has helped several students prepare for and land jobs in the field of public health. You can learn more and apply here:
