How to Make Public Health Work for You: A Career Strategy Guide for Early Professionals

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The job market is tough. It feels like everyone – from global health professionals to mid-career public health professionals to other MPH grads – are applying for the same roles.

You’re not imagining it. You’re also not alone.

If you’re an early career public health professional feeling stuck, unsure where you fit, or overwhelmed by all the “ideal” job paths you don’t quite align with, this article is for you.

The truth is: you don’t need to wait for the perfect job to show up. You can make public health work for you – on your own terms.

Start With You: Clarify Your Goals and Strengths

You don’t need a five year plan, but you do need clarity.

At this point, create a one year vision.

You first need to start by asking:

  • What problems do I care about solving?
  • What skills do I want to use daily?
  • What work energizes me?

You don’t need to chase a job title – chase alignment. You’ll have more direction if you start by identifying:

  • You personal values
  • The roles or topics that excite you
  • The work environments where you thrive

Use reflection journaling, and assess your professional strengths.

Strategy Tip: Set 1–2 clear short-term career goals, like “Work in a mission-driven org with a strong mentorship culture” or “Use my skills in writing and policy to influence maternal health.”

Public Health Jobs Are Everywhere

Public health is not limited to nonprofits, federal government, or health departments.

With the shifting public health landscape, you have to envision your skills in new context.

The skills you gained in your public health program are in demand across:

  • Tech (e.g., user research, data analyst)
  • Philanthropy (program officer, grant manager)
  • Higher education (student wellness, evaluation roles)
  • Corporate spaces (wellbeing strategy, HR)

The job title might not say “public health,” but the impact you make will be.

Public health is a lens – not a box. You can wear it anywhere.

[Read: ​Your First Public Health Job Isn’t Your Final Destination​]

Job Crafting: Define What “Good Fit” Actually Means

It’s not just about salary. A job is more than a title.

Finding the right job can be like building a puzzle. You have to be diligent in searching and applying yourself.

Evaluate opportunities across three areas. Personal → Company → Lifestyle

1. Personal Fit

  • Does it build a skill you want to grow?
  • Does this align with your purpose or passion?
  • Will it support your mental and physical wellbeing?

Evaluating personal fit can ensure you feel fulfilled as a whole person.

2. Company Culture

  • Is there room to grow?
  • Are the values real or performative?
  • Will you be supported and mentored?

Evaluating company culture to know the fit and opportunity for professional growth.

3. Lifestyle and Compensation

  • Would you need to relocate—and is that sustainable?
  • Is the pay fair for your experience and the cost of living?
  • Are there benefits that matter to you (e.g., flexibility, parental leave)?

Evaluating lifestyle and compensation so you know if this jobs helps you live your ideal lifestyle.

You can create a personal rubric to evaluate job fit beyond just salary or title.

Build Your Job Search Infrastructure

Treat your job search like a mini project.

Start by building your foundation that will help you stay consistent, reduce overwhelm, and track your progress. Clarify the types of roles, your non-negotiables, and any target industries or organizations.

This clarity will guide your search and help you filter out distractions.

Create a job tracking spreadsheet. Let it include:

  • Link to job description
  • Company and role
  • Required qualifications
  • Deadline
  • Application status
  • Your feel for the job (mission alignment)
  • Growth potential

Set up a folder system:

  • Resume + tailored cover letter
  • Notes for interview prep
  • Saved job description

It doesn’t matter what tools you use, just keep organized. You can use tools like Google Sheets, Notion, Trello — whatever you’ll stay consistent with.

Sharpen Your LinkedIn Presence

You’re a public health professional.

You have interest in specific topics and skillsets. Let people know.

Use LinkedIn to be a career amplifier.

Here’s how:

  • Turn on “Open to Work” for recruiters
  • Use your headline to reflect what you do + who you help
  • Engage with people in your field by commenting or sharing insights
  • Research interesting folks at companies that interest you and even reach out to them
  • Write a summary that tells your story: who you are, what drives you, and where you’re going

LinkedIn is a social platform, being a bit more social will only help you.

You profile should be a reflection of your values, experiences, and interest. Showcase your versatility by mentioning cross-sector skills like systems thinking, collaboration, or storytelling.

Network Like It’s Part of the Job (Because It Is)

Most people land jobs through relationships, not job boards.

So consider to add a strategy that includes using your relationships to bolster your job search.

Reach out to:

  • People in roles you admire
  • Alumni from your program
  • Alumni at working at dream organizations
  • Former supervisors, preceptors, or mentors
  • Those with “nontraditional” public health paths

Ask for 15–20 minute chats. Keep it casual and curious.

Start with:

“Hi, I’m early in my public health career and exploring opportunities in [X]. Would you be open to a 15-minute conversation to share your journey?”

Make it a habit:

  • 1 new conversation each week
  • 1 meaningful follow-up each month

Think Transferable, Not Traditional

You’re not just a “public health professional.”

You’re a communicator, a strategist, a systems thinker.

Reframe your skills across industries:

  • Evaluation → Insights Analyst or Grant Assistant
  • Program coordination → Project Manager or Grants Manager
  • Community engagement → UX Research or Customer Success
  • Health comms → Marketing, Copywriting, or Grant Writer
  • Data Analyst → Data Scientist, Product Analyst, or Data Engineer

Exercise: Take one past job and rewrite it using another sector’s language.

Be Ready to Pivot – and Re-Pitch Yourself

You’re allowed to evolve. In fact, you should.

Early career doesn’t mean you are stuck. It means you are most flexible.

Learn how to tell your story across industries.

Instead of saying:

“I’m just trying to get my foot in the door.”

Say:

“I bring a public health lens to [X field] with experience in [Y skill] and a deep commitment to [Z value].”

You are the bridge between sectors. Own that.

Remember that rejections are not failures – they’re redirections.

Conclusion: Public Health Can Work For You

The field is vast. The need is real. And your voice, skills, and lived experience matter.

Public health careers don’t always follow a straight path – and that’s the opportunity.

You can design a career that fits:

  • Your values
  • Your goals
  • Your life

Don’t wait to be picked. Start shaping your own path.

Public health needs your voice, vision, and adaptability.

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