Public health is the scientific study of protecting and improving population health. While clinical professionals, such as physicians and nurses, treat individuals when they become ill, public health practitioners and experts develop strategies and practices to prevent those diseases in the first place. Public health is a growing field with a myriad of opportunities to thrive.  In this post, we will talk about six reasons why you should get a degree in public health in 2026. 

1. You care about the world and people  

There are always plenty of reasons to study a subject, however it is important to prioritize a field that aligns with your morals and core values.. From environmental work to research, policy, and data, public health offers countless ways to improve lives. If you care about others and want to make a real impact, public health could be for you. 

2. A financially rewarding career  

Job security in an increasingly  turbulent economy is something we all care about. Even in the current economic climate, public health offers a variety of rewarding career opportunities. Public health allows you to make a living while improving the health and well-being of others. Below are some the high-paying jobs within public health according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

• Medical and Health Services Managers: $104,830 annually 

• Biostatisticians (Statisticians): $98,920 annually 

• Operations Manager (such as at a non-profit): $98,100 annually 

• Epidemiologists: $85,880 annually 

• Occupational Health and Safety Specialists: $78,570 annually 

 3. Diverse Career Options  

Public health is a field of study that provides you with a variety of career choices to choose from. If you have a passion for teaching, you can become a community health educator. If you love math and statistics, you can emerge as a biostatistician. If you love advocacy, you can be a health policy analyst or a lobbyist. A graduate degree in public health will open doors for you at both the local and federal levels.  

4. You love leadership and teamwork  

We all know someone who has a captivating natural charisma someone people love listening to, someone who thrives in a team. If you are that someone (don’t worry if you are NOT, we have plenty of options for you too 😀 ), public health offers plenty of opportunities for you to shine. There are plenty of leadership roles available for public health graduates at the state, federal, non-profits level, and so on. Courses like Health Administration equips students with all the fundamental skills needed for these positions.  

5. You love meeting new people  

Public health is a highly interdisciplinary field. It recruits experts from a variety of fields, including, but not limited to, biology, statistics, economics, sociology, environmental science, and medicine. A career in public health offers you the chance to meet and network with individuals from diverse disciplines. You will continuously be provided with opportunities to expand your knowledge and refine your skills in a plethora of settings. 

6. You love teaching and research.  

Public Health also offers plenty of teaching and research opportunities. If you receive training in Biostatistics or other public health research methodology courses, you can easily find a job as a research analyst at any firm. If you have a graduate degree, such as a Master’s or PhD in Public Health, you can start teaching at different colleges and universities.  

Overall, public health is a very rewarding field. It gives you the chance to make a difference in the lives of others and impact communities on a deeper level.  

Thank you for reading.

Program in Applied Public Health Sciences email:  publichealth@uchc.edu
Program Director: Dr. Stacey Brown, PhD – 860-679-5470  stbrown@uchc.edu

What Does a Career in Public Health Really Look Like After Graduation?

Public health has never been more essential than it is right now. From addressing health inequities and chronic disease to strengthening community-based care and supporting the medical system beyond hospital walls, public health professionals are helping shape healthier futures every day. For students considering this path, one big question often comes up: What does a career in public health actually look like after graduation?

In this alumni spotlight, we sit down with Mayra, a UConn Master of Public Health (MPH) graduate from December 2025, to talk about her academic journey, career path, and what she does now as a public health professional.

Mayra shares how the UConn MPH program prepared her for meaningful, real-world work in the field. She speaks about the skills she gained: from community engagement and program planning to data-driven decision-making; continuing to shape her career. Now working at the Hispanic Health Council, Mayra plays a role in supporting community health efforts that directly intersect with the medical community, highlighting how public health complements clinical care by focusing on prevention, access, and systems-level change.

Throughout the conversation, Mayra also reflects on the mentors who supported her during her time at UConn and how those relationships helped her grow both professionally and personally. Her story underscores how an MPH can open doors to a wide range of impactful careers. Whether you’re working alongside healthcare providers, advocating for underserved populations, or designing programs that improve health outcomes at the community level.

If you’re curious about the many career paths an MPH can lead to, what life after graduation really looks like, or how public health professionals are making a difference in today’s rapidly changing health landscape, this alumni spotlight offers an honest and inspiring look into the possibilities.