Public Health, Policy, and Foundations
Careers in public health, policy, and foundations focus on improving health outcomes at the population level—through research, advocacy, program design, and funding decisions rather than direct patient care.
Professionals in this space work at government agencies (like the CDC or state health departments), multilateral organizations (like WHO or UNFPA), advocacy and policy nonprofits, and philanthropic foundations that fund public health initiatives.
Key Skills and Coursework
Students pursuing this pathway benefit from coursework and experience in:
Epidemiology and biostatistics fundamentals
Health policy and health economics
Public administration or political science (for policy-focused roles)
Statistics and quantitative reasoning
Writing and communication (policy memos, briefs, grant reports)
A master's degree—commonly an MPH (Master of Public Health), MPP (Master of Public Policy), or MPA (Master of Public Administration)—is often required or strongly preferred for advancement in this field, though many entry-level roles are accessible directly after an undergraduate degree.
Gaining Experience
Although research is not required for every role in this field, hands-on experience strengthens candidacy for both jobs and graduate programs. Relevant experience includes:
Internships with government health departments, foundations, or advocacy nonprofits
Research assistantships in public health, health policy, or health economics labs
Volunteer work with community health organizations or policy campaigns
Involvement in student government, advocacy groups, or health-focused student organizations
Foundations and grantmaking roles in particular value candidates who understand both the technical side of public health and the practical realities of running programs on the ground, so experience that combines research with direct community engagement is especially valuable.