Register for the Business of Public Health Summit!

[April 10, 2026, Atlanta, GA]

In this podcast conversation, Dr. Desiree “Dr. Des” Strickland and Dr. Brittny Wells (Doc Bee) explored how public health careers are evolving—and why the future public health professional will likely rely on multiple income streams rather than a single traditional role. The discussion highlighted broader shifts happening across the field, including funding instability, limited job openings, and a growing reliance on contract-based work. Without focusing on partisan politics, the speakers acknowledged that many organizations are navigating changing budgets and priorities, which has made hiring more competitive and less predictable. As a result, more agencies, nonprofits, and institutions are turning to consultants and short-term contracts to meet their public health needs.

Dr. Des and Doc Bee emphasized that diversification is becoming a practical career strategy rather than a luxury. Relying on one role or funding stream can be risky when organizations restructure, programs lose funding, or opportunities for advancement are limited. Drawing from their own professional experiences, they shared examples of how public health professionals can diversify their work across consulting, contract work, advisory roles, teaching and training, speaking engagements, and program evaluation. Together, these roles allow professionals to expand their impact while building more stable and sustainable careers. The conversation concluded by connecting these ideas to the upcoming summit, where speakers from consulting, academia, entrepreneurship, and leadership will share practical strategies for building diversified public health careers.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Public health careers are becoming more flexible and contract-based. As funding and organizational priorities shift, many agencies are relying more on consultants and short-term contracts to complete public health work.
2. One income stream is often no longer enough. Funding losses, organizational restructuring, and limited advancement opportunities make it increasingly risky to rely on a single role for long-term career stability.
3. Diversification can strengthen both income and impact. Public health professionals can expand their careers through consulting, advisory roles, teaching, speaking, contract work, and evaluation.
4. Your expertise can translate across multiple types of work. Skills developed in traditional public health roles—such as program evaluation, strategy, and community engagement—can support a variety of professional opportunities.
5. Building a diversified career requires intentional positioning. Learning how to package and present your expertise allows you to access opportunities across multiple sectors and income streams.

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https://www.publichealthclub.com/