{"id":19,"date":"2022-03-03T23:17:25","date_gmt":"2022-03-03T23:17:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dvc.mycareerfocus.org\/spring-summer-2022-volume-5-issue-1\/health-care-fields-large-source-of-jobs-across-the-nation\/"},"modified":"2022-06-15T01:23:21","modified_gmt":"2022-06-15T01:23:21","slug":"healthy-outlook-for-careers-in-public-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dvc.mycareerfocus.org\/summer-fall-2022-volume-5-issue-1\/healthy-outlook-for-careers-in-public-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Healthy Outlook for Careers in Public Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Lawrence<\/span><\/p>\n

Reil took a break from his studies while considering his options. He returned to his early interests and decided to major in public health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

“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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There has been renewed interest in public health due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to increased enrollment in DVC’s public health program.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Public health at DVC<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Health

Student-led discussion in a health class at DVC.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

This fall, DVC will officially transition its Health Science Department to the newly named Public Health Department.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Degrees and certificates<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Addiction

Addiction studies class at DVC. Photo taken prior to the pandemic.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

D<\/span>VC offers degree and certificate programs in public health, addiction studies and nutrition. Available degrees and certificates include:<\/span><\/p>\n

Public health<\/span><\/h3>\n