Public Health Career Spotlights
Browse the collection of public health career spotlights featured across all curriculum modules. Videos and posters spotlight public health careers and describe what these public health professionals do, who they work with, where they work, what skills they use, and what qualifications they need.
- Watch these videos with students to help bring the careers to life. Feel free to share the links with students and encourage them to watch with family and share with friends.
- Download posters in English and Spanish, and display in the classroom or give as handouts for reference and discussion as students complete lesson plan activities.
To learn more about public health STEM careers at CDC, encourage students to visit See Yourself in a Public Health Career.
An epidemiologist, also known as a disease detective, investigates the causes of diseases, how diseases spread, and how they can be prevented or controlled.
Hear from Wade, a real CDC epidemiologist, as he describes what he does, what he studied in school, and the skills he uses in his daily work.
Hear from Wade, a real CDC epidemiologist, as he describes his career path and how he works with other STEM professionals to help people stay healthy.
Learn what it takes to be an epidemiologist.
Use module 1 for students to experience the role of an epidemiologist.
An infection prevention specialist studies diseases and helps develop ways to detect, prevent, and control their spread.
Hear from Davina, a real CDC infection prevention specialist, as she describes what she does, what she studied in school, and the skills she uses in her daily work.
Hear from Davina, a real CDC infection prevention specialist, as she describes her career path and how she works with other STEM professionals to help people stay healthy.
Use module 2 for students to experience the role of an infection prevention specialist.
A behavioral scientist studies why people behave the way they do and what factors influence their decisions and behaviors.
Hear from Laura, a real CDC behavioral scientist, as she describes what she does, what she studied in school, and the skills she uses in her daily work.
Hear from Laura, a real CDC behavioral scientist, as she describes her career path and how she works with other STEM professionals to help people stay healthy.
Use module 3 for students to experience the role of a behavioral scientist.
A biostatistician looks at data collection methods and analyzes data to help answer health-related questions, using graphs and tables designed to make the data easier to understand. They also discuss limitations of analyses to prevent misconceptions about the data.
Hear from Simone, a real CDC biostatistician, as she describes what she does, what she studied in school, and the skills she uses in her daily work.
Hear from Simone, a real CDC biostatistician, as she describes her career path and how she works with other STEM professionals to help people stay healthy.
Use module 4 for students to experience the role of a biostatistician.
A health communication specialist creates communication strategies, messages, and products to educate the public on health issues and recommendations. They translate technical information into messages and visuals that communicate culturally relevant, timely, and actionable information.
Hear from Federico, a real health communication specialist at CDC, as he describes what he does, what he studied in school, and the skills he uses in his daily work.
Hear from Federico, a real health communication specialist at CDC, as he describes his career path and how he works with other STEM professionals to help people stay healthy.
Use module 5 for students to experience the role of a health communication specialist.
A laboratory scientist uses laboratory equipment to analyze samples and substances. They perform laboratory testing and interpret results, and they might help develop and test new types of diagnostic and screening tests.
Hear from Rebekah, a real CDC laboratory scientist, as she describes what she does, what she studied in school, and the skills she uses in her daily work.
Hear from Rebekah, a real CDC laboratory scientist, as she describes her career path and how she works with other STEM professionals to help people stay healthy.
Use module 6 for students to experience the role of a laboratory scientist.
A public health nurse plays a vital role in disease prevention and promoting community health and safety. They look at health trends and risk factors and work to improve access to health services. They also help design and implement health education campaigns and disease prevention activities.
Hear from Augustina, a real CDC nurse consultant, as she describes what she does, what she studied in school, and the skills she uses in her daily work.
Hear from Augustina, a real CDC nurse consultant, as she describes her career path and how she works with other STEM professionals to help people stay healthy.
Use module 7 for students to experience the role of a public health nurse.
During an outbreak investigation, public health experts work as a team. They each bring diverse backgrounds, specialized skills, and experiences that contribute to the overall goal of reducing the spread of disease.
Seven CDC STEM professionals introduce their careers and briefly describe what they do.
Learn about the diverse professionals involved in outbreak investigations.
Use module 8 for students to learn how public health experts work together to follow steps of an outbreak investigation and communicate their findings.