Epidemiologist

This is a full-time profession with a standard Monday-Friday work schedule. Depending on local health concerns, there may be a need for longer hours, or weekend work.

An epidemiologist typically works in an office setting. They spend this time studying data and reports, typically with computer software. There is often a need in community settings to create ways to communicate prevention techniques to the public. Sometimes, an epidemiologist will communicate directly to a newspaper or news station.

There is also a need for field work. Epidemiologists need to help with public surveys, including interviewing residents of a population. Much of their data is collected by assistants, but collecting it directly can provide a better understanding of trends.

In the field or lab, they are trained how to prevent disease transmission. There will be a need to wear personal protective gear.

Soft Skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Problem solving and critical thinking as well as reasoning
• Sensitivity to problems – knowing when there is one, not necessarily solving it.
• Able to find patterns and recognize what they mean (Statistic/Data Analysis)
• Understanding what makes data good or bad.
• Leadership skills – you will need to lead a team
• Diplomacy/Second Language Skills – You will often need to communicate with professionals in different countries.
• Analytical software, such as HealthMapper (Taught in school, or on worksite)

Technical Skills

• Ability to use word-processing and similar software
• Use of both databases and Spreadsheets (like Microsoft Excel)
• Able to write and administer data-driven surveys
• Very precise and data driven

• Public Health Office
• Laboratory for Government Health Department
• Field Hospitals – Outside
• International Relief Organizations
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Teaching at University

An epidemiologist is most likely to work for a public health agency in a local, state, or national government. While the majority work in an office setting, many also work in rural communities around the world to collect data.

Even when working for a local health department, you will likely communicate often with people around the world.

An epidemiologist will need a Master’s Degree in Public Health. This means you will need to attend school for close to six years before you are able to apply.  Some of these professionals earn a doctoral degree as well, which could take up to ten years total.

Extended time at school means you will need to maintain a high GPA (3.5 or above) in college to have a good chance of being accepted into a Master’s program. Many students work during their education which can mean not much time for social activities.

To advance in this field, find a specialization. Mental health, injury, and chronic disease are a small set of examples for this role. You may also be promoted to a supervisory role in a department. The best practice in this field is to continue taking additional training and attending conferences.

• Improved methods for dealing with health concerns, including gene therapy
• Tighter focus – specific types of viruses, cancer, or similar
• Larger sets of data – making it harder to find the helpful data
• New diseases (Such as COVID-19) will always occur.

Science experiments and studying nature
Counting and measuring – Sports statistics or similar are very fun introductions to data
Asking a lot of questions to learn about problems – very analytical
Biology activities and exploring anatomy
Coding, games with logic puzzles