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First, some facts. Of the Public Health graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 1581 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? On par with the average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 67%, Public Health graduates have about the same likelihood of finding work in this field as the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 44% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Public Health graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 76% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2021 from University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor's degree in Public Health. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONTesting Center Associate University of Massachusetts Amherst Feb 2021 - May 2021 After School Program Assistant  Learning First Charter School Aug 2021 - Jun 2022 Summer Intern The Price Center Jun 2022 - Sep 2022 Direct Support Specialist The Price Center May 2023 - Aug 2023 Occupational Therapy Level II Fieldwork Student  Shore Educational Collaborative Jan 2024 - Apr 2024 Nurse Education Graduate Assistant Worcester State University Sep 2022 - May 2024 Occupational Therapy Level II Fieldwork Student Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Apr 2024 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster's degreeWorcester State University 2021 - 2024 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When we look at the job history of public health graduates, it’s clear that many of them have pursued careers closely aligned with their academic training. Common roles include positions like public health educators, community health workers, and various healthcare assistants or coordinators. These jobs often involve direct application of public health principles, such as health promotion, disease prevention, and community engagement. For example, many graduates took on roles in organizations like the CDC, or as health educators or program coordinators in local health departments, showcasing a pathway that allows them to fully utilize the skills and knowledge gained during their degrees.
However, a significant number of graduates also ended up in roles that are less directly involving public health. Jobs like administrative assistants, customer service representatives, or interns in fields unrelated to health prove that not all pathways lead to public health-specific careers. Some graduates even found themselves in sales or non-health-related management roles, indicating a broader job market but perhaps a misalignment with their education. In essence, while many public health graduates do land jobs that apply their degree principles daily, there is a notable portion whose roles may use their skills less directly or even not at all within the public health sphere. This highlights the importance of both flexibility in the job market and the diverse range of opportunities available to those entering the workforce post-graduation.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Public Health graduates:
Analyzing the career trajectories of individuals who graduated with degrees in Public Health reveals a broad range of outcomes, with varying degrees of success in securing relevant positions in the field. Generally, the first jobs tend to be internships or entry-level positions that provide foundational experience in environmental health, community outreach, or health education. For instance, recent graduates often hold roles as interns in public health departments or universities, which allows them to gain practical skills and expand their professional networks.
Regarding longer-term career prospects, those who graduated five years ago or more appear to have made significant strides in their careers, often moving into more specialized roles or management positions. Many have successfully transitioned into roles such as epidemiologists, public health analysts, or healthcare administrators, particularly at governmental or healthcare organizations. However, some graduates seem to have veered off into unrelated fields or taken positions that don’t fully utilize their Public Health degrees. For example, roles such as sales associate or operational manager at non-health related firms indicate a disconnect between their education and current employment. This suggests that while some Public Health graduates find fulfilling and relevant careers, a notable portion might struggle to align their job roles with their academic qualifications or may find it hard to navigate the job market.
In conclusion, while a degree in Public Health can open doors to meaningful and impactful careers within the healthcare sector, the pathways taken by graduates vary widely. It is evident that those who actively pursue internships and relevant entry-level positions following graduation tend to have better outcomes in establishing careers in their field. Yet, the diversity of job roles reflects both the broad applicability of the skills gained in their studies and the challenges many face in securing roles directly aligned with their educational backgrounds.
A Bachelor’s degree in Public Health can be a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. For some students, especially those who enjoy science and math, it might feel more manageable since the curriculum often includes subjects like biology, statistics, and health policies. However, if you’re not a fan of crunching numbers or diving deep into research, it can be challenging at times. Generally, I’d say it’s about average in terms of difficulty compared to other majors, but it all depends on your interests and strengths. Just be prepared for some intense group projects and presentations, because working with others is a big part of the program too!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Public Health.
When looking at the job progression for these public health graduates, we can see a mixed bag regarding their financial outcomes. Some individuals have moved into roles that typically come with decent salaries, like registered nurses or health program managers, which can offer solid paychecks, especially as they gain experience or take leadership roles in their organizations. For example, a nurse or health educator can earn a reasonable salary after a few years in the field, so those graduates may find themselves financially stable or even comfortable in the long run.
On the other hand, many of the early-career roles listed for these graduates, such as internships, entry-level positions, or temporary roles, tend to come with lower pay. Positions like community health workers and assistant roles can be stepping stones but may not provide the financial benefits that come with higher positions. Overall, while some graduates might be on a clear path to good salaries, others may need to work their way up over time and face challenges in the early stages of their careers.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Public Health. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Public Health (ordered by the average relevance score of their Public Health graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
