Six Exciting Careers for Public Health Policy Majors

Gettysburg College is excited to introduce its new public health policy major, a joint program between the health sciences and public policy departments. Designed to prepare students for tackling critical public health challenges, the major will equip students with the knowledge and skills to conduct research, improve healthcare systems, craft policy, and shape the future of public health.

“The new major offers students a distinctive, hands-on learning experience that prepares them to not only understand the complexities of health disparities, but also to shape policies that promote health equity,” shared Health Sciences Chair Amy Dailey.

The major’s emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, combined with a required internship, will provide a competitive edge for Gettysburg students when they graduate. If you are passionate about making a difference in public health, here are six dynamic career paths to explore.

Careers in hospitals and health care organizations

Hospitals and healthcare systems rely on public health professionals to develop policies that improve patient care and streamline healthcare operations. Whether working in hospital administration, community outreach, or health policy research, public health policy graduates can help design programs that enhance healthcare access and efficiency.

Christian Whitsel ’21, who double majored in public policy and health sciences, now works as a critical care nurse practitioner at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “I think there is a very strong need for people with a disciplinary foundation in healthcare, public health, and policy,” he stated. “Having the public policy experience combined with the specialized knowledge in public health will make one a lot more marketable when applying for jobs.”

Careers in local, state, and federal government

Public health policy professionals play a vital role in shaping health initiatives at all levels of government. Local agencies focus on issues such as nutrition assistance, school health programs, and maternal and child health. At the state and federal levels, entities are responsible for maintaining disease surveillance systems, investigating and interpreting health trends in populations, and providing guidance on addressing emerging health concerns.

“We have a robust internship program, and we work with our Center for Career Engagement to place students in regional, national, and global health policy internships each year,” explained Public Policy Chair Anne Douds. “We have long-standing relationships with state and national entities, and we also see students doing a lot with local government agencies and nonprofit organizations, such as the Adams County Food Policy Council.”

Careers in the health insurance industry

Health insurance companies play a major role in determining how people can access and afford healthcare, and several Gettysburg students have interned in this industry. Public insurance programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, focus on implementing new policies and evaluating their effectiveness. Private insurance companies also have teams that develop coverage plans, advocate for regulatory changes, and analyze healthcare trends to improve services for consumers.

“I was recently on a virtual seminar with Pennie, Pennsylvania’s health coverage marketplace, and it sounds like they have quite a variety of opportunities that our students will be well-suited to pursue,” Prof. Douds shared.

Careers with domestic and international NGOs

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a significant role addressing health disparities worldwide. Gettysburg College graduates who are passionate about global health and social justice can find opportunities with institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), where the College is working on establishing a formal internship program. These roles often involve research, program development, and advocacy at local, national, and global levels.

Careers with domestic and international think tanks and nonprofits

Think tanks and nonprofit organizations conduct research and provide policy recommendations to address public health challenges. Institutions like the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) focus on evaluating healthcare programs, funding research initiatives, and advocating for policy improvements.

“A lot of what we do in public health is collect data, analyze it, and disseminate it, but communication is also an important aspect of the job,” Prof. Dailey explained. “In organizations like a nonprofit, you need to be able to explain your findings to donors, stakeholders, and the broader public. These are skills that our students will develop with the major.”

Careers in pharmaceutical companies

Pharmaceutical companies employ public health policy experts to navigate current healthcare regulations, influence drug policies, and analyze the impact of new medications on public health. These roles work to ensure compliance with regulations and strategic planning to ensure that new treatments align with public health needs and government standards.

“We’ve had a few people go into big pharma and work for their policy divisions. Some people may not realize it, but pharmaceutical companies have a strong interest in having well-informed policy analysts on staff. Many of these companies want to do work that is good for people and good for society.”

Learn more about our new public health policy major.