Epidemiologists are the unsung heroes of public health care. When it comes to ensuring public health and well-being, epidemiology is essential as it focuses on understanding how and why diseases spread across communities and developing effective methodologies to fight against them. Epidemiologists play a leading role in effectively preventing and treating illnesses and outbreaks.

Importance Of Epidemiology

We are all aware of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the world around us, and epidemiologists worked on the front lines of the research to understand, contain, and respond to the spread of the virus. They helped formulate the global response to the pandemic by introducing effective research-backed policies to curb and control the spread!

An epidemiology doctor investigates the source of an illness, determines how far it has spread, and seeks to stop it before it becomes a widespread problem. If you’re passionate about helping others and want to be a part of something bigger than yourself, you may find a career in epidemiology fulfilling and rewarding. Keep scrolling to learn more about epidemiologists and how you can become one!

What Is An Epidemiology Doctor?

Epidemiologists are at the forefront of efforts dedicated to researching, analyzing, and containing disease spread. They work with data to investigate and track infections to prevent the spread of the illness among the masses.

The core requirement to pursue an entry-level career in public health and epidemiology is holding a master’s degree in epidemiology, whereas a Doctor of Public Health opens many advanced doors. Suppose you can’t enroll in an on-campus program due to work commitments. In that case, you can also enroll in a doctor of public health online program as it offers much more flexibility, allowing you to find time for your career and education.

Skills Of A Successful Epidemiologist

To become a successful epidemiologist, you must obtain the following skills and qualities via formal training and practical experience. These skills can make it much easier to land your dream job!

• In-depth understanding of all potential risks associated with public health. Epidemiologists track and keep an eye out for all possible risks to public health and well-being, including contagious and chronic illnesses, environmental risks, accidents, and non-contagious conditions.
• Planning and conducting epidemiological research studies. To accurately assess a public health problem, epidemiologists gather information using various methods, including observation, personal interviews, questionnaires, and polls.
• A knack for problem-solving. Epidemiologists should possess excellent analytical skills as they must be able to identify patterns in the results of epidemiological research or inquiry.
• Effective communication. Since epidemiologists are responsible for briefing policymakers and the general public on health hazards, they must be adept at translating complex scientific concepts into language understandable to the general public.

How To Become A Successful Epidemiologist

Below we have outlined the key steps that ensure a smooth path towards becoming a successful epidemiologist. While these are the general steps, there are many different roles in the industry. Choosing a combination of education, credentials, and job experience tailored to your professional aspirations is important and will help you achieve your desired success.

1. Complete your undergraduate education

Although there isn’t a formal undergraduate program dedicated to epidemiology, however, coursework from related disciplines may provide the necessary foundation for pursuing further studies in the area.

Many students pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in biostatics, nutrition, public health, or sociology. These disciplines can equip you with core competencies and knowledge in medical data analytics, epidemiology, and statistics, among others.

Remember that pursuing a career in epidemiology doesn’t have specific requirements for your undergraduate qualifications. Your bachelor’s degree is an important stepping stone to pursuing a graduate degree in epidemiology, which is the minimal requirement for an entry-level job in the industry.

2. Gain relevant work experience

Anyone interested in a career in epidemiology might benefit greatly from gaining relevant work experience and putting their academic knowledge to good use in a realistic environment.  It can be beneficial for aspiring epidemiologists to have backgrounds in medicine or a closely related field.

It is common practice for highly competitive educational institutions such as medical schools and master’s programs to demand previous professional experience from candidates. You can use your bachelor’s qualification to land a role as an epidemiology assistant to make up for the required experience. Furthermore, many courses also provide students with opportunities to get real-world experience via internships and similar means.

Many employers want applicants with relevant work experience when hiring epidemiologists, so it’s a good idea to start looking for jobs before applying to graduate programs.

3. Pursue advanced education: masters or higher

Holding a master’s degree is the core requirement for pursuing most entry-level professional epidemiologist positions. Curriculum on research methodology, epidemiology, and public health, among others, are standard in most MPH programs. Many students also pursue a doctorate in epidemiology to open doors to advanced opportunities in the industry. 

These courses assist students in developing the skills necessary to analyze and assess large amounts of data, as is typical for epidemiologists. Research projects are often required as part of degree programs so students can use their knowledge and training.

4. Get the professional certifications, if necessary

Unlike advanced fields, epidemiology has no exam requirements to land a job in the industry. However, based on the specific role you want to pursue, you can opt for certifications available in the field of epidemiology that can help you stand out from the crowd and obtain the job of your dreams.

Think about what you want to accomplish in the field of public health and where you see yourself working before deciding on a credential. The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology certification can help demonstrate your dedication to the field and is a great addition to your profile.

5. Start working as an epidemiologist

With a master’s degree under your belt, you can apply for various entry-level positions in the field of epidemiology. Many graduates proceed to work for the government, while others find ejmployment in hospitals, community groups, for-profit labs, or academic institutions.

To better understand illnesses, find new vaccines and drug treatments, and debate public health policy, epidemiologists often collaborate with a group of field workers and researchers. As you climb the professional ladder, you may anticipate overseeing a group of researchers, leading them to uncover previously unknown information on public health and infectious illnesses.

Final Thoughts

The first step toward your epidemiology career is fulfilling the minimum educational requirements, depending on your desired job role. Consider the above-discussed steps to land your desired job. A master’s degree qualifies you for most entry-level positions. However, if you have your eyes set on advanced roles, then a doctorate program equips you with the necessary skill set to lead the efforts to tackle and control public health risks.