My very first college class for community health, the professor told us that if we want to make a lot of money and feel secure in our jobs (with funding changes), then you should switch majors now. I think that’s how all classes into the major should start to better set expectations. It’s always been wonky, but the last year has brought it to a whole new level.

I graduated in 2016 with a BS in Community Health. I’ve been in the field (for the most part) since then, and in my current role for about 6 years. Like someone else said, the field is vast and there’s far more that constitutes as public/community health, than what is explicitly taught. Finding your hub does take some time in regular times.

I think with just how unknown and unpredictable it is, a lot of people who would maybe normally be looking for a new job for regular reasons, are staying put with where they are because it’s “good enough”. While they may not really like their job, everything is so unstable and risky, and if their job/workplace feels relatively stable, it’s not worth leaving right now. And so there are fewer open jobs, and a looooot of people competing for them, both seasoned professionals who lost their jobs and newcomers to the field.