What Can You Do With a Bachelor's in Public Health? A Case Study of Graduate Outcomes From the University of Hawai'i.

Denise C Nelson-Hurwitz, Michelle Tagorda, Lisa Kehl, Uday Patil
Author Information
  1. Denise C Nelson-Hurwitz: Office of Public Health Studies, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States.
  2. Michelle Tagorda: Office of Public Health Studies, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States.
  3. Lisa Kehl: Office of Public Health Studies, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States.
  4. Uday Patil: Office of Public Health Studies, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States.

Abstract

Since the development of a Bachelor of Arts in public health, a common question among prospective students, faculty, and community members has been asked: "What will students do after graduation?" While national data on graduates are abundant, community inquiries sought more detailed profiles of local graduates. To address this need, data on 224 graduates of the Bachelors of Arts in Public Health (BAPH) degree at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa were collected through alumni outreach efforts and professional online profile searches. Data were compiled into a summary presentation and program "resume". Findings indicated roughly 30% of BAPH graduates pursued graduate-level education and 43% were employed within a year of graduation. Employment in local NGOs and healthcare organizations was common, while bureaucratic challenges limited hiring at public agencies. A review of job titles suggested graduates were employed in program coordination or support staffing. Local program profiles, such as this one, complement national employment data. Moreover, these efforts may foster interest among prospective students and support from faculty, administrators, and employers.

Keywords

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MeSH Term

Education, Graduate
Education, Public Health Professional
Humans
Personnel Selection
Prospective Studies
Public Health

Word Cloud

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