Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ

Every employer is different so there are no definitive lists here.  The following list should be meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to fully exploring role requirements outlined in person specification, job description and adverts for each role you consider. However, it is possible to assume that employers will want: 

• A strong interest in public health - Genuine interest in public health demonstrates motivation and commitment to drive engagement with communities, an understanding of health inequalities, and enthusiasm for developing effective interventions.
• The ability to handle and interpret data and statistics - Data is central to identifying health trends, assessing needs, and evaluating interventions to make evidence-based decisions.
• An investigative mind and the ability to organise and carry out research - Health promotion often involves exploring new health challenges or evaluating the effectiveness of campaigns. This skill supports literature reviews, designing research studies, conducting interviews or focus groups, and synthesizing findings into actionable strategies.
• The ability to project-manage, prioritise tasks, meet deadlines and work with minimum supervision - Health campaigns have many moving parts—planning events, producing materials, liaising with partners. Effective project management ensures activities stay on schedule and within budget, especially when working independently in community or outreach settings.
• Leadership - to drive health initiatives, managing small teams and community engagement. It’s crucial for motivating others, setting a vision for health projects, and influencing stakeholders and policymakers.
• The ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams - Health promotion involves collaboration with healthcare providers, educators, local government, and community organizations. This skill ensures effective teamwork, communication, and coordination across different sectors.
• Strong written and oral communication skills – from writing reports, delivering presentations, creating public information materials, and engaging communities. Clear communication ensures that health messages are understood and impactful.
• The ability to understand legislation and policies - Understanding health-related laws and policies (e.g., tobacco control, food safety, workplace health) is essential for developing compliant and relevant interventions and advising organisations or communities on health-related legal obligations.
• Attention to detail - Whether evaluating data, designing educational materials, or ensuring ethical compliance in research, attention to detail ensures quality, accuracy, and professionalism in all aspects of health promotion work.
• A logical and methodical approach to problem-solving - Health promotion often deals with complex social and health issues. A methodical approach helps in identifying root causes, developing strategic interventions, and systematically evaluating outcomes to improve future effort. 

To develop these skills, remember Career Zone also offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term.  Please also read through the sections about Building Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience and by gaining further knowledge or qualifications.   

Those wanting a career in public health should look at information relating to specific roles to identify the qualifications, skills and experience they will need. See for example the  and case studies. Staying informed about public health issues is crucial. Regularly checking the Royal Society for Public Health and the Faculty of Public Health websites is recommended. For a broader perspective, research the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the WHO. Consider joining a relevant professional body/industry network (see listings in the further study section below) All experiences ranging from volunteering, active involvement in clubs and societies can help you to build relevant and transferable skills. You may wish to consider: 

Recommended reading 

• °Õ³ó±ð  has a useful article on finding work experience. It also links to relevant charities. 

Volunteering 

Gaining work experience through volunteering for public health-related charities or completing additional learning is an impressive way to catch the attention of potential employers. 

•   for introductory online learning courses
• Any opportunity to become a Health Advocate or Mental Health and Wellbeing Champion will help to demonstrate your commitment. See RSPH’s  p°ù´Ç²µ°ù²¹³¾³¾±ð. 

Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ Employability Schemes 

• Grand Challenges | Grand Challenges | Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ a project week in which you work in interdisciplinary groups with other like-minded students to design innovative solutions to real world challenges e.g. Mental Health, Food Security and Social Inequality.
• Career Zone Internship schemes:  can be extremely useful, so try ²¹²Ô»å get relevant vacation work or placements.
• Exeter Award: The Exeter Award will help you stand out from the crowd and give you the confidence to shout about the experiences you've had at university.
• The Global Leaders Experience is a unique opportunity to develop your intercultural skills as part of a short, outbound mobility experience 

Events 

• organises a variety of public health related events throughout the year. Many are open to professionals or the general public, while others are exclusive to RSPH Members (you can ).  

Use online magazines and journals to follow news from your industry. Reading about trends and developments is important for applications and interviews. Examples include: 

•  - a blog from Public Health England. 

Before visiting the sites below you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page. 

•  – local government job vacancies
•  - vacancies in universities and academia
•  - search under Allied health professions or Administrative Services
• at BUPA
• . 

Placements  

If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access  via Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including what a placement is, how to apply for them, and bespoke information for international students or those interested in working abroad.    

Graduate schemes and internships 

• The NHS offers several  . These include programmes for  training incorporating examinations for membership of the 
• Workforce development training programmes are also supported through  , ,  ²¹²Ô»å 
• invite candidates from across the world to apply to the WHO Global Internship Programme
• – based at the University of Aberdeen these internships give students the opportunity to work on a research project, contribute to publications and participate in training events
• at BUPA for a Business Management Scheme. 

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page. 

Speculative applications and where to find opportunities 

As jobs and opportunities are not always advertised, it can be useful to develop your networking skills and apply speculatively. Professional bodies often run networking events, post vacancies on behalf of their members and have member directories, useful for speculative applications.  

To find opportunities outside the UK

• ±«²õ±ð  The worldwide country guides cover everything from job search resources and CV guidelines to cultural advice and visa information. 
•  not-for-profit organisations across Europe working in public health.
• .

If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally.  

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to build their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. Use the sites below to research your further study options.  

• The RSPH has a very wide range of  ²¹²Ô»å  and which support public health education. Examples of subjects include , ,   ²¹²Ô»å .
• To find the right programme for you. 

There are a wide range of relevant university courses that equip you with the in-depth knowledge and specialist skills, including degree and Masters’ programmes in public health, health sciences, biostatistics, nutrition and exercise and health. Aspiring to a high-level role in public health, such as consultancy, can be boosted by pursuing a Masters’ degree.  

• To read more about a MSc in public Health visit .

Other options include the Faculty of Public Health . This is a five-year training scheme, the first year requiring students to complete and pass a master’s in public health. 

Note it is important to verify if your chosen programme is accredited by the Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation or includes core modules approved by the Royal Society for Public Health. This will significantly enhance your career prospects in the field of public health. 

Information and links from professional bodies 

If you have studied a related degree, check if your course is accredited by one of the professional bodies. Being a member of a professional body is voluntary; however, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development, and generally keeping up to date with what's happening in the sector.  

Professional societies/institutes 

Research councils/institutes 

Government agencies 

Non-governmental organisations/charities 

• - independent charity working to improve health and care in England.

Advice  

If you are considering postgraduate or doctoral level study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study.