Global Health | Career Centre

Have you always wanted to help improve the health and wellbeing of people around the world? Have recent global health topics such as international food shortages, health equity, crises in supplying medicine or even infectious outbreaks such as Ebola convinced you that this is the professional and life direction you wish to take? The first-of-its-kind program in Canada, the Global Health degree combines core courses such as determinants of health (e.g. poverty), global health policy, health and human rights, research methods, planning, governance and leadership, while giving students the opportunity to specialize in such areas as Global Health Policy, Management & Systems, Global Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, Global E-Health, and Global Health and the Environment.

Career Options in Global Health

Below is a sample list of some future choices to explore following studies in Global Health. This list is not exhaustive but it provides a solid idea of the potential careers a Global Health degree can offer. Some options are more directly associated with specific areas of Global Health than others.

Activist
Biotechnician
Community Development Worker
Community Health Manager
Cytologist
Diplomat
Entrepreneur
Foreign Service Worker
Geneticist
Health Educator
Health Systems Planner
Hospital Administrator
Human Rights Advocate
Immunologist
Industrial Relations Consultant
Information Specialist
International Aid Director

International Development Worker
Journalist
Lawyer
Media Correspondent
Medical Writer
Non-Profit Organization Director
Nurse
Parasitologist
Pharmacist
Physician
Professor
Public Policy Analyst/Strategist
Researcher
Systems Integration Specialist
Toxicologist
UN Representative

Some of these career choices may require additional education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential education or professional formative courses and exams. For a more in-depth description of some of the careers mentioned above visit Career Cruising (login information can be found on the home page of the Career Centre's online system) or the National Occupational Classification website.

Skills Developed through a Global Health Degree

A background in Global Health ensures that you develop the skills and mindset to tackle many different professional challenges. Here are just a few of the skills a Global Health degree can help you develop:

Core Global Health Skills

An understanding of the fundamentals of human biology, policy, research methods, determinants of health and health systems.
Ability to conduct research according to modern techniques and an ability to apply observations and conclusions to contemporary health issues.
Hands-on experience during your fourth year practicum in Canada or overseas.

Communication, Data Gathering and Organizational Skills

The ability to present your thoughts clearly and intelligently in written statements and written opinion pieces
Deduction of information from various sources and the ability to concentrate on relevant resources
The ability to organize, understand and analyze sources of information and to apply novel forms of technology or new information to different professional settings and tasks
The ability to explain complex ideas clearly to others and to apply complex theoretical concepts to everyday practice and professional dilemmas
The skills to collect various types of information, assess them, analyze and incorporate potential linkages from different fields, put them into writing and efficiently convey your message and the goal of your work

Management and Teamwork Skills

The ability to interpret and analyze information presented by peers and efficiently and constructively support or challenge their proposals, theories, ideas and reports in order to achieve a project’s intended and successful end result
Skills enabling you to work effectively in group situations, partaking in decision-making, leading and contributing in various capacities to the ultimate success of the team and task
The ability to debate, persuade, mediate and present your thoughts and opinions to others, as well as the capacity to recognize and incorporate other potential solutions or applications to given problems
The capability to identify priorities and proper courses of action, to plan the execution of tasks and to determine and delegate responsibilities to group members to most effectively carry out projects

Professional Associations and Organizations

Knowing the industry and how to excel in it after receiving a degree are key elements of future success. University study sets up the building blocks you will need to develop and enhance your understanding and knowledge in your career. Being part of a professional organization or network and gaining further insight through training are excellent ways of increasing your knowledge of the field. The following is a selection of organizations related to the field of Global Health that you may want to visit as you research career options for Global Health graduates.