public health, nutrition, Addiction Studies

Healthy Outlook for Careers in Public Health

Jun 24, 2022

When Lawrence Riel began classes at DVC, he had planned on pursuing a career in animation. But like many students, after some exploration, he decided to pursue a different career path. 

“I re-evaluated my goals. As a child, I was interested in topics like epidemiology, but I wasn’t having the best time academically. I felt discouraged from pursuing something like public health because I felt inadequate,” said Riel.

Reil took a break from his studies while considering his options. He returned to his early interests and decided to major in public health. 

“I’d love to be a disease prevention specialist. As someone who is gay and trans, I want to give back to my community by stepping into prevention and public health advocacy in LGBTQ+ communities. I’d also like to explore science communications so that I can apply my art/production knowledge,” said Riel.

Public health professions focus on the prevention of illness, injury and disease to promote and protect the health of people and the communities where they live, work and play. Job responsibilities might include promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease and injury prevention, improving health inequities among underserved populations, and detecting, preventing, and responding to infectious diseases, such as COVID-19.

“The DVC public health program is ideal for students who want to serve diverse communities, work in the school system, in government agencies or clinical settings. Work might involve conducting research, writing grants or developing programs and policies to help people and populations live healthier lives. The degree is also very relevant to those who want to go into direct-care professions like addiction studies, nutrition, nursing, and medicine,” said Kristen Colchico, department chair of the public health program at DVC. 

Public health sets itself apart from other health professions by focusing primarily on prevention. Public health strives to achieve health equity so every person has the opportunity to attain their full health potential. 

There has been renewed interest in public health due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to increased enrollment in DVC’s public health program. 

“When public health is working well, no one notices. But when things go wrong, it is easier to see all that public health does to protect society. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed health inequities in our nation and our world. These inequities are reflected in differences in length of life, quality of life, rates and severity of disease, and access to treatment,” said Colchico.

Public health at DVC

This fall, DVC will officially transition its Health Science Department to the newly named Public Health Department. 

“This change is being made because our courses and degree programs reflect the education and skill requirements needed in the public health discipline. This will help prepare students for transfer to CSU and UC programs in public health, health education and health science,” said Colchico.

DVC will offer new public health courses in fall 2022, creating additional options while also offering the opportunity for students to gain greater depth of knowledge. 

“The newly revised transfer degree will allow students to take more public health classes at the community college level, which will better prepare them for transfer. DVC is one of the first California community colleges to have a distinct Public Health Department,” said Colchico. 

Colchico also notes that California State University, East Bay and San Francisco State University have also developed a Public Health department. As California community colleges and in-state public universities continue to align their departments, programs and course numbers, students will enjoy a more streamlined transfer process.

Degrees and certificates

DVC offers degree and certificate programs in public health, addiction studies and nutrition. Available degrees and certificates include:

Public health

• Associate in science in public health science for transfer
• Associate in science in health education
• Certificate of achievement in community health outreach worker (CHOW) – coming in fall 2023

Addiction studies

• Associate in science in addiction counseling
• Associate in science in addiction studies

Nutrition 

• Associate in science in nutrition science for transfer
• Certificate of achievement in nutrition, health and wellness

Job Outlook

“The pandemic highlighted the need for many existing and new public health and health care specialties. The most essential and in-demand roles have been nurses, clinical lab scientists, certified nursing assistants, and community health workers. Epidemiologists and data specialists have also been more important for tracking the spread of COVID-19,” said Kimberly Balmorez, health career pathways program assistant for Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS).

Internships can help to quickly pave a career path as well.

CCHS offers an eight-week summer internship program through the health careers pathway department. This internship exposes students to non-clinical careers and matches them with a public health professional mentor. CCHS also partners with the Contra Costa Family Residency program to offer a summer clinical observation volunteer opportunity, where participants can observe health professionals at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and/or CCHS clinics.

The addiction studies program also provides field work opportunities.

“Sometimes these internships are paid, and some students are able to continue working at the facilities after they have graduated and obtained their substance abuse counseling license,” said Colchico.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts strong job growth for public health professions. In particular, the projected 17 percent growth for health education specialists and community health workers is notable.

“Public health will not close doors – it will only open them! A public health career could start by working with the homeless population or developing a transitional program for individuals in harm reduction and treatment programs or those transitioning from incarceration. There is no shortage of public health opportunities,” said Colchico.

Careers in public health

• Community health outreach worker
• Environmental specialist
• Epidemiologist
• First responder 
• Grant writer
• Health educator
• Health promotion program planner
• Nutritionist
• Occupational health and safety professional
• Public health nurse
• Public health physician
• Public policymaker
• Restaurant inspector 
• School health educator
• Scientist and researcher
• Social worker

Students pursuing a career in public health can look forward to a well-paying career. Potential salaries for those with an associate in science degree or certificate include:

• Community health outreach worker: $50,000
• Community health educator: $56,799
• Wellness coordinator: $65,786

For those who obtain additional education, opportunities include:

• Health specialty teacher, postsecondary: $85,000
• Epidemiologist: $94,286
• Medical and health services manager: $121,783

Why enroll in public health at DVC?

“Public health is an exciting field because it allows people to think creatively about how they want to uplift the community,” said Balmorez.

Lawrence Riel appreciates the uniqueness of the DVC program. 

“It is really nice to have a program dedicated specifically towards public health rather than being grouped with health science. It’s hard to find this type of program at a community college,” said Riel. 

Riel plans to transfer to obtain a bachelor’s degree in public health in Fall 2023.

“I’m considering California State University (CSU) campuses in Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Fullerton. If you’re a student looking to transfer as a public health major, I feel confident that the public health program at DVC has the classes and professors that will perfectly prepare you for the next step of your journey,” said Riel. 

For more information, visit www.dvc.edu/public-health.

Upgraded facilities boost public health, kinesiology and athletics programs

The public health program will soon move into the Pleasant Hill campus’s brand-new physical education and kinesiology complex. The $52 million facilities upgrade was funded by voter-approved Measures A and E.

“The gym has been renovated and is now open to students. We also have a new fieldhouse and adjoining facility that includes an equipment room, team meeting rooms, locker rooms, faculty offices, classrooms, and a training room/lab. There will also be renovations to the pool. These facilities benefit students enrolled in kinesiology, sports medicine, public health, athletics and fitness training,” said Christine Worsley, dean of health sciences and athletic director.

“The new facilities match the exemplary education that students receive at DVC. The upgrades will enable students to learn and prepare for the workforce or transfer to four-year programs with state-of-the-art facilities,” said Worsley.

Sources:

• https://cchealth.org/hcp/
• www.economicmodeling.com/
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm#tab-6

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