United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The United States department of agriculture is a governmental department. The USDA functions in many states throughout the US even though its’ headquarter is located in Washington, DC. The job that I found at this location while doing my paper was a Consumer Safety Inspector. This job requires the employee to inspect meat plants and make certain the federal laws are followed. To someone interested in food safety, he or she might find this job interesting. The pay, in my opinion, is not bad ranging between $30,000 and $60,000 depending on qualifications and location. With meat plants throughout the US it allows for a wide opportunity to work in a place of one’s choice. Another benefit is this job’s minimum requirement is a Bachelors, and although the pay is less, it allows an opportunity for growth (if by work while going to grad school or learning enough to obtain a raise). Some draw backs would be that it is in a meat processing plant. This job is most likely unpleasant in the sights (such as slaughtered animals, blood, etc.) and smells. Meat plants usually are responsible for the killing, slaughtering, cleaning, and processing of meat (animals used for consumption by people), and are not the place for everyone. If a bachelor’s degree is received, an interest in food safety excites you, you do not mind some unusual sights and sounds, and a salary between $30,000 and $60,000 works for you this might be your job!

Miami Dade County Health Department

The Miami Dade County Health Department is a local government agency located in Miami, Florida. Working at the Miami Dade County Health Department would be a great place to gain experience and grow in public health. The MDCHD strives to promote and protect the health of one of the biggest counties in Florida through prevention, preparedness and education. The MDCHD offers many health services to increase overall health, including the Miami-Dade Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Control and Prevention Program. This program works to reduce the incidence of STDs by providing screening, testing, diagnosising and treatments for infected individuals. This program is made up of several branches including surveillance, field services ex. partner counseling and referral services, clinical services, and education and community relations; all working alongside one another to combat STDs. This program/clinic is located on Collins Avenue right on South Beach, this location seems like it would be a hotspot for STDs due to the coming and going of tourists and well known night life. After I graduate I would like to work in the educational side of public health and find the subject that I can make the most difference in. Working in this Miami Dade program as an employee or volunteer would allow for firsthand experience into an ever changing, critical aspect of PH.

World Health Organization

The one employer that has caught my attention is the World Health Organization. Its main offices are located in the country of Switzerland. It is a non-profit that has focused on aiding those communities that are a part of the United Nations. I would like to work with this organization because I find that it follows the same ideals that I have supported my entire life. I have seen how productive it has been in alleviating the problems of developing countries. I have also been fond of the idea of traveling outside the United States and I would feel that this organization would open up the opportunity for me to work in different parts of the world. The one negative I have seen with working with the World Health Organization is that I would be working away from home and with different cultures. I would consider this a small negative because I could later turn it into a positive as I slowly become used to being outside my own comfort zone. As I continued my work in Public Health, I have noticed how strongly involved the World Health Organization has been. Through my course work, this organization has been informative in the different illness that plagues the world. My own personal involvement has been with a culture within a culture and I have felt that this organization has helped on my insight on how to approach them.

Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood is an internationally recognized program which advocates for sexual health, family planning, and education. If educating society members and promoting wellness is your calling, then Planned Parenthood may be the right fit for your future. The mission of Planned Parenthood is primarily based upon educating men, women, and adolescents on matters of sexual health. In regards to preventing sexual transmitted infections or educating individuals on topics such as family planning strategies, Planned Parenthood takes pride in awareness as well as promotion. Although Planned Parenthood is an internationally recognized association, the program not only offers positions globally but also within the state and local fields. After researching the organization, I was mostly impressed by the range of career listings found on the website. Although many of the higher level positions required completion of a Masters degree, I found many of the entry level positions available throughout and beyond the United States. For instance, in the near future I would like to become a sexual health educator. If I decided to apply through Planned Parenthood, I would have the opportunity to become an educator in areas such as New York, Massachusetts, or Atlanta. I like the flexibility that is offered by the association when dealing with job placement as well as the priceless opportunity of educating others on sexual health.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention is a government job under the U.S. department of Health and Human Services. If you are interested in public health this is the place to be because whatever your niche is they have a spot for you. Not only does the CDC cater to public health professions it is in Atlanta, Georgia, which is a great urban location. I like the fact that I would not be too terribly far from Tampa or Fort Lauderdale, just a short plane ride away. I have always wanted to work at the CDC and honestly it’s probably the only place up north I would relocate to because I hate snow. This employer is also perfect for people that do not want to work on the same things all the time, every day the CDC set the new rules and regulation pertaining to new outbreaks and disseminates that information to local sectors. I’ve also noticed that the CDC generally pays very well. The particular job I was looking into in the health policy department has a yearly salary range of $118,846.00 - $154,501.00 and most of the jobs offered at the CDC are around that figure +/- 20,000 dollars. You also receive excellent benefits including dental and vision. If you like to be in the know when it comes to public health then the CDC is for you.

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is a Government organization at the city level, providing health services to the residents of New York City. I think it’s pretty obvious that NYC DHMH is located in New York City, however they have multiple offices through the city as NYC is a very big city. One of the most appealing things about this potential employer is the number of job listings and the variety of areas the jobs are available in. When performing a job search, some of the categories you can select from include emergency preparedness, community outreach, early intervention, epidemiology, policy, and research, to name a few. Another appealing thing about this employer is the number of public health jobs that require data analysis and a strong background in such. I currently perform data analysis at my job, so it’s exciting to think that once I graduate, I have the credentials needed to apply for some of the positions. What made me look into a job in New York City was my great love for the place. I’ve been there six times and always dream of when I can go back. I would love to experience living in a big city such as New York and an employment opportunity would be a great reason to move there. One drawback I could see by working at DHMH is the sheer size of the organization. I’m not sure exactly how the structure is, so it’s a little daunting trying to picture where I would fit in amongst all the other employees. Another drawback would be the cost of living in NYC versus what the salary is. While some of the potential jobs seem like they pay really well, I know it’s very expensive to live there.

Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health

The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (PMNCH) is an entity of the well-known World Health Organization (WHO). This fairly new not-for-profit organization was developed in the year 2005 in order to better achieve the Millennium Development Goals 4 &5; the reduction of child mortality and the overall improvement of maternal health. It is alarming to think that according to the PMCH, nearly two-thirds of all of the maternal and infant deaths are preventable. These prevention techniques are often times things that many women take advantage of on a daily basis with access to prenatal care in the United States. This global health initiative aims to eliminate the lack of care that many women and their children globally face each year. The PMNCH has a goal of reaching out to many global regions in hopes of bridging the gap in health education and saving millions of lives in doing so.

Because of my passion for maternal and child health, I think this would be an excellent organization to someday be a part of. It would be such a rewarding experience to know that my efforts would help to contribute toward the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals. This organization would certainly be one in which International traveling would likely be a necessity, so it could provide a unique and resourceful background in global health initiatives if one is interested in travel.