The Public Health Search: Jobs, Internships & Scholarships
This semester has been an extremely full season between teaching extra courses, mentoring more students, writing grants, conducting research, and planning new projects. I have not had time to answer all the questions that have come in or even write about special topics. However, I need to answer the most common student questions that have been submitted over the past few months.
What are common Public Health jobs and titles?
Where do I search for careers in Public Health?
Where can I find a Public Health internship?
Where do I search for external Public Health scholarships?
My hope is that this blog will be a useful resource for all of you wondering about those four questions. I will add links to most of the organizations on the list, especially those pertinent to SoCal for local students. Some organizations are listed more than once under different categories and have different links for the same name (job link or internship link).
As always, my door is always open, and I’m happy to schedule office hours or even plan another career planning workshop to assist you in this part of your journey. I believe in all of you and know you are going to do great things! The world is in desperate need of Public Health Professionals full of kindness, compassion, wisdom, excellence, peace, love, and unity. Go, and be world changers!
1. What are common Public Health jobs and titles?
Community Health Project Coordinator
Health Promotion Specialist
Health Education Specialist
International Program Coordinator
Disease Investigation Specialist
Disease Surveillance Manager
Program Evaluator (Community-Based)
Community Outreach Specialist
Community Health Work Coordinator/Trainer
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
Community Health Program Consultant
Health Policy Analyst
Public Health Planner
Health Equity Advocate
Health Communications Specialist
Health Program Director
Epidemiologist
Infection Control Specialist
Public Health Researcher
Grant Writer
2. Where do I search for careers in Public Health?
Our field is focused on promoting health, preventing disease, and mitigating outbreaks among populations. Jobs are typically found in health departments, nonprofits, and global health organizations. We don’t usually work in hospitals that focus on one-on-one sick care unless there are positions for health education specialists, health promotion programs, or disease prevention, but those are often managed through health departments. Below is a list of organizations with links to their job postings. I noted where you need to search by department or for specific words.
American Public Health Association (APHA)
Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) Career Hub
California Department of Public Health
Los Angeles County Public Health (filter search by Department: “Public Health”)
Orange County Healthcare Agency (filter search by Department: “Health Care Agency”)
Long Beach Public Health (filter search by Department: “Emergency Preparedness” and “Health & Human Services”)
Pasadena Public Health Department (search for “Public Health” as filter doesn’t work)
Riverside Public Health System (several search filters to select, no departments)
Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO)
NCHEC (health education national search)
Emory Public Health Employment Connection
Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs
Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (national search)
International Nonprofits
State Health Departments/State CDC Offices
County Health Departments
City Health Departments
Universities with Community Outreach Programs
3. Where can I find Public Health internships?
I would suggest starting with the job search list above, find organizations you’re interested in, and then search to see if they have available internship opportunities. It can take several months to get an internship, and some organizations treat the intern process like hiring for a regular position. If you need an internship in a specific semester, start the search process at least six months in advance! Below are some of the organizations from the job list that often have internship positions available.
American Public Health Association (application due June 5 for fall semester)
Society for Public Health Education Internship
CA Department of Public Health
Los Angeles Department of Public Health
Orange County Healthcare Agency
Pasadena City Health (community outreach)
CDC (internships and programs)
CDC (fellowship)
World Health Organization Internship
International Nonprofits
State Health Departments
County Health Departments
City Health Departments
Universities with Community Outreach Programs
4. Where do I search for external Public Health scholarships?
Society for Public Health Education Scholarships
Vivian Drenckhahn Student Scholarship (SOPHE Health Education)
NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program
National Hispanic Health Foundation and United Health Diverse Scholars Initiative
Winston Scholarship (public health, health policy, health admin)
Oak Ridge Institute Scholarships & Fellowships (links to many scholarship opportunities)
Albert W. Dent and Foster G. McGaw Graduate Scholarship (graduate students)
Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
CDC Fellowships (graduate students)
National Health Corps California (southern and central)
American Public Health Association Network of Scholarships
American Public Health Association Student Meeting Scholarship