Overview
In the wake of recent man-made and natural disasters, the US is placing a high priority on building up the nation's public health workforce. Since 2002, Federal funding has increased for public health preparedness, including scholarship and loan repayment programs, workforce development grants, and funding for bioterrorism preparedness. What does this mean for you? It means that with a degree in public health, you’ll be in high demand – and on a career path filled with advancement opportunities. The air we breathe; the water we drink; the land we build on and the homes we live in... there are numerous elements of our natural and man-made environment with the potential to have an adverse effect on health.
Complex interactions between human genetics and our physical surroundings can give rise to a variety of diseases and health conditions -- including asthma, cancer, and even food poisoning. Environmental health professionals improve public health by focusing all their efforts on identifying and addressing these environmental risk factors.
This is a wide-ranging, complex, and multifacted profession, spanning chemistry, toxicology and engineering, among other disaplines. It also involves collaboration with and reliance upon other professionals -- such as chemists, geologists, biologists, meterologists, physists, physicians and engineers.
If you love science, are good at seeing "the big picture," and tend to be a team player, this could be the perfect health career for you.
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Salary:
$44,550
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$143,700
[*]
Years in school:
6
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9
after high school graduation
Job outlook:
Excellent
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