I’m going to be applying to different MPH programs within the U.S.
I am considering specializing in Global Health, Environmental Health, or Epidemiology.
The issue I am running into is the career opportunities that coincide with each given specialization.
I suffer from ADD, and it is very difficult for me to concentrate/function within an office setting. I am not sure how I would function in a lab setting; I have been fine during labs in college, but as an everyday occupation, I’m not sure how I would react.
Anyway; Do you guys have any input on this. What is the most “hands on” career path involving public health?
Any & all suggestions/information is appreciated and will be considered.
Honestly, this is going to be less about the specialization you choose and more about the jobs and work settings that you decide upon.
Environmental health (EHS) and epidemiology have the most direct opportunities for field work, depending on the roles you choose. EHS concentrators may end up working in an office, in the lab, in the field, or some combination thereof. Epidemiologists are going to spend the majority of their job doing office work (analyzing data, conducting desk research, etc.) but some of their work day may be spent doing field work - conducting case interviews, taking samples, etc. I would say on average someone in EHS will probably have more active work than an epidemiologist, but it depends.
Global health can be anything. You could be a community health worker who pounds the pavement reaching people at their homes for vaccines or health education, or you could direct a program from inside your office, or you could do program evaluation that involves a blend of both, or any combination of other things.