First, some facts. Of the Public Health graduates from San Diego State University 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 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 77%, Public Health graduates from San Diego State University have a higher likelihood (+10%) of finding work in this field compared to 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, 61% 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:
Relevance score: 84%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Public Health. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONResearch AssistantSDSU Research Foundation May 2012 - Dec 2012 Research Assistant SDSU Research Foundation Jul 2012 - Dec 2013 Partnership Coordinator Cancer Care Access Partnership (CCAP) Mar 2014 - Dec 2014 Research Assistant San Diego State University (SDSU) Research Foundation Mar 2014 - Dec 2014 Research Assistant San Diego Sate University Research Foundation Jun 2014 - Dec 2014 Research Assistant San Diego State University Research Foundation Mar 2014 - Sep 2014 Research Assistant San Diego State University Research Foundation Jan 2014 - Jun 2015 Program Evaluation Assistant San Diego State University Research Foundation Jun 2015 - Jun 2016 Assistant Manager/ Server Sushi Deli, Inc. Jan 2012 - Jan 2013 Data Assistant II Family Health Centers of San Diego Jan 2017 - May 2018 Graduate Research Assistant University of Colorado Denver Sep 2019 - Jun 2020 Transplant Assistant UC San Diego Oct 2021 - Jan 2022 Clinical Research Administrative Assistant UC San Diego Oct 2021 - Jan 2022 Research Grants & Contracts Specialist Huron Jan 2022 - Mar 2023 FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Public Health (MPH)University of Colorado Denver 2018 - 2020 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the job outcomes for graduates with a Public Health degree from San Diego State University, a clear trend emerges. Many alumni have pursued positions such as Research Assistants and Health Educators, which are highly relevant to the field. Roles like Research Assistant at various institutions involve hands-on research that directly relies on public health principles. Similarly, Health Educators at departments of public health effectively apply their knowledge to create community health programs and education initiatives, showcasing the importance of their degree in real-world settings. Other common jobs include roles related to program evaluation and health policy analysis, further emphasizing the analytical and evaluative skills gained during their studies.
However, not all positions align perfectly with their education. Some graduates have taken roles in administrative or support functions, like Patient Service Representatives or Medical Insurance Billers. While these jobs offer valuable experience in healthcare environments, they tend to focus more on operational aspects rather than the core competencies of public health. Overall, it seems that while many graduates find relevant roles that utilize their Public Health training, there’s a portion that ends up in positions where they don’t directly apply their specialized knowledge every day. So, it’s a mixed bag; some go on to truly impactful careers in public health, while others may end up in roles that, while beneficial, aren't strictly public health-focused.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Public Health graduates (this is across all Public Health graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to San Diego State University):
Graduates from San Diego State University's Public Health program tend to start their careers with positions that are closely related to health research, education, and community engagement. For many, the first job often revolves around roles like research assistants or health educators, which offer valuable experience in the public health field. As we see from the profiles, several graduates took on positions at research foundations or local health departments soon after graduation, indicating that they typically land jobs that are quite relevant to their degree. This foundational experience seems to set them up well for future opportunities, as many have continued to build upon those roles or progressed into higher-level positions within public health.
Five to ten years down the line, graduates often find themselves in more specialized roles within public health. Many transition from entry-level positions to more significant roles such as health program analysts, community organizers, or even managerial roles within health organizations. For instance, those who started as research assistants often become program evaluation coordinators or health educators in various organizations. Overall, it appears that the majority of SDSU Public Health graduates are carving out successful careers that are closely aligned with their field of study, contributing positively to community health and public policy efforts. While a few may have taken detours into unrelated fields initially, many seem to find their way back into public health, demonstrating the program's lasting impact on their professional trajectories.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health at San Diego State University—or any school, really—has its challenges but isn’t the toughest path out there. You’ll dive into a mix of subjects like epidemiology, health policy, and even some statistics, which can be tricky if math isn’t your thing. However, the workload is generally manageable, especially if you stay organized and keep up with assignments. Plus, you’ll likely find the classes engaging if you’re passionate about health and helping communities. So, if you put in the effort and stay committed, it's definitely doable!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Public Health.
So, looking at the job history of the Public Health graduates from San Diego State University, it seems like they’re on pretty decent paths, but the money might not be as high as some might expect right out of college. The earlier graduates hopped around a lot in roles like research assistants and health educators, which typically aren't the highest-paying jobs. It seems like many started with entry-level positions in health departments or research, which can pay okay but often require time and experience to really rack up the cash. For the more recent grads, like the ones from 2023, they might still be getting their feet wet in their careers with initial roles like medical assistants and community outreach workers, which again typically have moderate salaries. Overall, while they’re all gaining valuable experience, it might take a few more years or promotions before they see that paycheck skyrocket!
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 is across all Public Health graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to San Diego State University). 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: