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As a Public Health professional, what do you do? What does your day-to-day look like?
This is part of our professionals series where pros share questions they wish students were asking
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3 answers
Jacob Farris, MPH, CPH
Federal Health Consultant
2
Answers
Rosharon, Texas
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
Being a public health professional, there is a wide range of what you can do and what your day to day may look like. I've had the opportunity to work in three pretty different public health settings. The first was during my master's program internship. I worked with a safety-net hospital (they take care of the population who may not have health insurance or have a low socio-economic status) in Dallas, TX and I worked in their community health institute. The day to day for that really consisted working on analyzing hospital population data, forming presentations for hospital executives based on what the data is telling us, and also working with community health workers and creating informed health materials, then creating surveys to gather data from the communities and analyzing that data.
Another public health setting I've worked in was as an epidemiologist for the City of Houston Health Department during COVID-19 pandemic. I specifically worked with their long-term care and nursing home facilities team. I was assigned 10+ sites where I would check-in with them and see how they were doing with keeping up with guidelines and seeing if they needed any guidance on protocols around COVID. Another part of my job that I didn't particularly enjoy was having to verify death certificates for reporting purposes. While I know this is an everyday occurrence due to the nature of the pandemic, it was real for my job and it definitely took a toll on me. However, one part I did like/found interesting was being able to go into the field and see the nursing homes and long-term care facilities first hand and be able to offer my expertise on how to keep everyone safe and make sure they stayed safe based on my recommendations. Although it was gratifying, I did begin to feel burnt out.
Currently, I work as a federal health consultant where I advise federal health agencies (CMS, CDC, FDA, etc.) on a variety of issues. I help bring their request to life. I help develop large national meeting for medical providers or state Medicaid agencies. I also analyze large sets of data and translate it to being understandable for others and I form presentations of various findings. Something I enjoy about my current job is my ability to help large masses of people through my work.
Another public health setting I've worked in was as an epidemiologist for the City of Houston Health Department during COVID-19 pandemic. I specifically worked with their long-term care and nursing home facilities team. I was assigned 10+ sites where I would check-in with them and see how they were doing with keeping up with guidelines and seeing if they needed any guidance on protocols around COVID. Another part of my job that I didn't particularly enjoy was having to verify death certificates for reporting purposes. While I know this is an everyday occurrence due to the nature of the pandemic, it was real for my job and it definitely took a toll on me. However, one part I did like/found interesting was being able to go into the field and see the nursing homes and long-term care facilities first hand and be able to offer my expertise on how to keep everyone safe and make sure they stayed safe based on my recommendations. Although it was gratifying, I did begin to feel burnt out.
Currently, I work as a federal health consultant where I advise federal health agencies (CMS, CDC, FDA, etc.) on a variety of issues. I help bring their request to life. I help develop large national meeting for medical providers or state Medicaid agencies. I also analyze large sets of data and translate it to being understandable for others and I form presentations of various findings. Something I enjoy about my current job is my ability to help large masses of people through my work.
Kirstyn Dietle
1
Answer
Kirksville, Missouri
Updated
Kirstyn’s Answer
As a public health professional, I am involved in the education side. I assess the needs of the communities I serve and create programming to meet them. We connect students to healthcare careers, bring professionals to rural, medically underserved communities, and bring communities better health.
I am currently planning an event before the beginning of the school year to help students receive necessary school supplies, sports physicals, and other resources all for free. Along with this, I am planning two camps for high school students that are interested in healthcare. My day-to-day varies depending on what I am needing to plan for, which varies depending on the time of year. Some days I am busy all day, and other days I am having to find stuff to do.
If you're interested in variety, I highly recommend this field. You get to do many different things and meet many different people in the communities you serve. You sort of become their advocate!
I am currently planning an event before the beginning of the school year to help students receive necessary school supplies, sports physicals, and other resources all for free. Along with this, I am planning two camps for high school students that are interested in healthcare. My day-to-day varies depending on what I am needing to plan for, which varies depending on the time of year. Some days I am busy all day, and other days I am having to find stuff to do.
If you're interested in variety, I highly recommend this field. You get to do many different things and meet many different people in the communities you serve. You sort of become their advocate!
Katrina Zdanowicz, MPH
Consultant
2
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Katrina’s Answer
Hello there! Your question truly resonates with me, considering the vast array of experiences I've had in the public health sector. My decision to pursue a Master's degree in Public Health, with a special focus on Global Environmental Health, was largely influenced by my passion for sustainability. I've always believed that the principles of public health and sustainability are closely intertwined!
My journey in the consulting field has opened up numerous avenues for me to apply my knowledge of public health. For instance, during the recent pandemic, I was privileged to assist the Internal Revenue Service in their mission to quickly deliver stimulus packages to the individuals and businesses that needed them the most. Although this may not seem like a typical public health endeavor, it gave me invaluable insights into legislative analysis and the implementation of technology within the government sector. I've discovered that these areas align well with my interests in public health.
In a more direct capacity, I've participated in projects that aid international social enterprises and nonprofits that are making strides in public health at the community level. These organizations are primarily focused on improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) standards, as well as promoting the use of renewable energy in rural areas.
I share these experiences to highlight the wide-ranging and profound nature of the work that public health professionals undertake after obtaining their degrees. I would urge you to think outside the box when it comes to your interests - public health permeates many more sectors than you might initially think. I wish you the best of luck.
My journey in the consulting field has opened up numerous avenues for me to apply my knowledge of public health. For instance, during the recent pandemic, I was privileged to assist the Internal Revenue Service in their mission to quickly deliver stimulus packages to the individuals and businesses that needed them the most. Although this may not seem like a typical public health endeavor, it gave me invaluable insights into legislative analysis and the implementation of technology within the government sector. I've discovered that these areas align well with my interests in public health.
In a more direct capacity, I've participated in projects that aid international social enterprises and nonprofits that are making strides in public health at the community level. These organizations are primarily focused on improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) standards, as well as promoting the use of renewable energy in rural areas.
I share these experiences to highlight the wide-ranging and profound nature of the work that public health professionals undertake after obtaining their degrees. I would urge you to think outside the box when it comes to your interests - public health permeates many more sectors than you might initially think. I wish you the best of luck.