What can I do with a major in Public Health
Public health is focused on prevention rather than the treatment of disease. It examines the overall health of a population with the aim of developing strategies to promote and protect health. It aims to promote and protect the health of Canadians and populations across the globe. Through course work and hands-on experience, the public health major at the U of L will provide students with the skills and tools needed to prevent disease/injury and to promote and protect the health and well-being of Canadians and populations across the globe. Students may choose to complete a practicum, co-op, or applied studies course to gain valuable experience in local, national or international public health practice. Completion of the major of Public Health leads to a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree.
Available degrees:
- Bachelor of Health Science- Public Health
- Post Diploma Bachelor of Health Science Public Health
- Public Health Second Degree
- Bachelor of Health Science (Public Health) and Bachelor of Management
Skills
- Ability to Persuade & Influence
- Ability to Review and Apply Evidence
- Critical Thinking & Research
- Data Collection & Analysis
- Ethics In Public Health Practice
- Facilitation
- Health Awareness
- Holistic Approach to Health
- Interpersonal Relationships with Other Fields
- Leadership
- Oral & Written Communication
- Organizational
- Policy Formation
- Problem Solving
- Program Planning & Evaluation
- Public Health Science & Social Science Methodologies
- Sensitivity to Social & Cultural Diversity
- Strategies for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
- Time Management
- Understanding of Health Systems
Work Environment
A career in public health can include designing and implementing programs that promote health, collecting and analyzing health data, and shaping policy. Graduates in public health often work for governments, private sector, non-profit and non-governmental organizations. Graduates may also find employment in health organizations, community agencies, schools, community outreach agencies, fitness organizations and various specialized support groups for different populations/groups.
Key Areas of Specialization:
- Aboriginal and Immigrant Health
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Environmental Health
- Health Policy
- Health Promotion
- Health Services Administration
- Infectious Disease Control
- Global Health
- Program Management and Evaluation
- Wellbeing/Healthy Eating
Career Possibilities
These jobs are normally intended for new graduates and require 0to 2yearsof experience. It is important to note that many entry level positions require some related experience or demonstrated ability to perform job-related tasks. Even those positions that do not require experience will still prefer an experienced candidate, if one is available.
- Community Connections Coordinator
- Community Development Worker
- Community Health Educator
- Data Management/ Research Assistant
- Evaluation Assistant/ Coordinator
- Food Inspector
- Hand Hygiene/Infection Control Assistant
- Health & Safety Advisor
- Health Promotion Facilitator/ Coordinator
- Home Visitor/ Home Visitation Coordinator
- Humanitarian Worker
- Policy Analyst
- Program Analyst (Ministry of Health)
- Program Consultant (Alberta Health)
- Project Coordinator
- Public Health Privacy Officer
- Public Health Programs/Services Coordinator
- Research Associate
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Wellness Coordinator
These jobs generally require extensive, relevant work experience and/or further education.
- Bioethicist
- Community Health Nurse
- Consultant
- Dietician
- Environmental Health Officer/Researcher
- Fundraising Coordinator
- Genetics Counsellor
- Global Health Advocate
- Health Care Consultant
- Health Communications Specialist
- Health Equity Strategist
- Health Ethicist
- Health Information Analyst
- Health Surveillance Analyst
- Epidemiologist
- Health Product Regulator
- Health Safety Environment Advisor
- Infection Control Manager
- Infection Control Practitioner
- Infection Prevention & Control Analyst
- International Aid Worker
- Medical Informatician
- Medical Officer of Health
- Mental Health Worker/Researcher
- Non-Profit Health Agency Fundraiser
- Occupational Health & Safety Officer
- Public Health/ Environmental Health Inspector
- Public Health Ethicist
- Public Health Lawyer
- Public Health Nurse
- Public Health Policy Advisor/Analyst
- Researcher
- Social Worker
- University Professor
On average, people change their careers three to five times in their lifetime. So, no matter what major you choose, you may still be interested in opportunities totally unrelated to your program of study. We encourage you to be open to all possibilities! Your undergraduate degree can be a springboard for other educational pursuits, and your transferable skills and experience can prepare you to work in a multitude of settings.
- Acupuncturist
- Biomedical Equipment Technician
- Child Life Specialist
- Gerontologist
- Health & Benefits Administration Assistant
- Health Information Management Coordinator
- Health Information Systems Training Analyst
- Journalist
- Lab Technician/Director
- Lawyer
- Lobbyist
- Medical Lab Technician
- Medical Scientist
- Medical Writer
- Mental Health Counsellor
- Naturopath
- Pharmaceutical Representative
- Pharmacist
- Physician
- Political Advisor
- Radiologic Technologist
- Registered Nurse
- Social Service Worker
- Substance Abuse Counsellor
- Toxicologist
Useful Resources
- The Canadian Public Health Association http://www.cpha.ca/
- Public Health Agency of Canadahttp://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
- Canadian Institute of Health Researchhttp://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/
- Canadian National Institute of Healthhttp://www.cnih.ca
- Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement http://www.cfhi-fcass.ca
- Canadian Academy of Health Sciences http://www.cahs-acss.ca
- Canadian Association for Health Services & Policy Research http://www.cahspr.ca
- Health Sciences Association http://www.hsabc.org
- Health Canadahttp://www.hc-sc.gc.ca
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency http://www.inspection.gc.ca
- Public Health Physicians of Canada http://nsscm.ca
- Canadian Associaiton on Gerontology http://cagacg.ca
- The Canadian Geriatrics Society http://www.canadiangeriatrics.ca/
- Health Action Network Societyhttp://www.hans.org
- Global Health Council http://www.globalhealth.org
- World Health Organization http://www.who.int/
Add Value to Your Degree
The more you do to differentiate yourself, the more likely you are to succeed in building a fulfilling career path for yourself. It takes more than just attending classes to stand out amongst other students and new graduates. Become an explorer! Try new things, challenge yourself, build unique skills, and connect with diverse people.
Use the ideas listed below to help you brainstorm experiences to add value to your degree. For more ideas on experiential opportunities at the University of Lethbridge, view the Student Experience Transcript.
Making connections with others is one of the best ways to learn about the world of work and gain access to career-building opportunities. Making meaningful connections with people is often called building a network. Building these connections can give you access to jobs before they are posted, or to jobs that are not publicly posted. Employers like to hire people they have already built relationships with, and are more likely to hire people who have been recommended by trusted colleagues and friends.
Start building your network by attending Career Fairs and other on-campus recruitment events found on the Career Services Events page within the Career Bridge portal. Get introduced to career professionals in a welcoming and approachable way through uLethbridge Connect at Ten Thousand Coffees. Consider joining a professional association to help you find opportunities to meet experienced professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.
d professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.
Co-operative Education allows you to earn income through real-world work experience that is related to your academic studies. Completing a co-op work term provides you with an opportunity to build your skills in a practical work setting, network with employers, and increase your marketability after graduation.
Co-operative education is available to undergraduate and graduate-level students within a variety of programs in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Dhillon School of Business, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Faculty of Health Sciences. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how co-op works here.
The Applied Studies program offers you the opportunity to earn academic credit for learning gained through employment or volunteer experiences. Placements provide skill development and experiential learning related to your studies by integrating principles learned in the classroom with practical situations encountered on the job.
Participating in clubs and running for student government are great ways to build employability skills, learn how to work with others, and demonstrate your leadership abilities.
The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union is committed to building a rewarding and enriching experience for undergraduate students. They have positions for Executive Council members and General Assembly members, as well as an extensive list of ratified clubs, offering opportunities to get involved in areas of interest and in leadership positions.
The Graduate Students’ Association’s mandate is to identify and advocate for graduate student needs. They have GSA Executive positions, GSA Council positions, and a mentorship program for incoming students.
The University of Lethbridge provides many different opportunities to gain research experience in addition to the required courses in your degree program.
An independent study is a chance for you to design your own research project for course credit under the supervision of a professor of your choice. Course work usually requires independent library research and/or field work and/or a major term paper. For more information, meet with an Academic Advisor and the Department or Faculty member under whom you wish to pursue an Independent Study.
You can also opt to complete an Undergraduate Thesis Course. This will allow you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree and is a great springboard into graduate studies and professional programs. Fourth-year standing and a cumulative GPA of 3.30 is required to complete an Honours Thesis; it is also helpful to have previous research experience like Independent Studies. For more information, contact the Department or Faculty member under whom you with to pursue your Honours Thesis.
The Office of Research and Innovation Services has a wealth of information on additional research opportunities for students, including Student Funding, Student Research Positions, AGILITY, and events. The School of Graduate Studies has information on Research Opportunities/Graduate Student Positions and GA/Co-op/Internship Opportunities. If you are interested in building your research portfolio, do not miss out on these opportunities!
International experience builds valuable employability skills like adaptability, multi-cultural awareness, and the initiative to take on new challenges. Gain an international perspective by participating in Education Abroad opportunities like semester exchanges, study tours, field studies, work-study tours, internships, and more. Learn about international careers and resources through MyWorldAbroad (available within the Career Bridge portal).
Volunteerism is an excellent way to demonstrate your current skills, build new skills, and grow your network. If you are not sure where to get started, connect with UVolunteer, the University of Lethbridge’s partnership with Volunteer Lethbridge. If you already volunteer, UVolunteer can provide you with a framework to organize and document your volunteer work. If you are not sure how or where to get involved, UVolunteer can help you find volunteer opportunities that meet your needs and the needs of your community. Also consider volunteering with a local Board, Commission, or Committee.