These are the job trends for public health and human services gradsuates

Social Work Students

Spencer Chalmers — The present job trends in public health and human services reflect a higher demand. As the population increases, the need will become more prevalent for health services and human services in all areas. There will be more jobs available in the private, non-profit, and government sectors.

There will also be more jobs available involving education, as today’s graduates will be identifying the population’s needs and working to inform them about necessary health awareness. This will include working with the public to increase general awareness. These public health programs will require people to organize them; therefore graduates with administrative skills will be desirable.

A Growing Need for Human Services and Public Health Grads

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the human services field is projected to increase 22 percent in the decade between 2008 and 2018. The future cutbacks in government-funded programs forecast the growth of non-profit, faith-based, and private providers of these services. There are also opportunities for jobs for those with a degree in human services regarding global relief as well as professional caregiving and crisis intervention.

Public health is also growing, with a need for professionals with public health degrees. A study by the Association of Schools of Public Health reported that the US will have a shortage of approximately 250,000 public health workers by 2020. Schools around the country will need to triple their numbers before then. These public health opportunities will be in a range of areas, including hospitals, fitness centers, non-profit organizations, schools and international health agencies.

More Internships Available

One of the current trends in the field is an increased availability of internships. These internship opportunities available for graduates allow them to get introduced to the field and understand the inner workings. This can give students an opportunity to find out whether they would like to pursue that particular path in the future. There are internships available around the country and in international locations as well.

Salary Outlook is Strong

The projected salary outlook for many careers in the public health and human services field is very good. The average starting salary for someone with these qualifications is $50,000. Local government positions offer the best salaries, more so than long-term care facilities. Young people entering this career have the potential to earn significantly over the course of their career.

In human services and public health, there are many opportunities that are constantly changing. If graduates are keen, hard-working, and prepared for a varied and unpredictable work schedule, they will be ready to face the rewards and challenges of a career in this field.



About the Author

Spencer Chalmers is studying for his masters degree in public health online and is hoping to pursue an administrative position once he graduates.