Epidemiologist
Finding the causes of diseases and injury in humans!
Overview!
"An epidemiologist, also known as a medical scientist, conducts infection surveillance – tracking infections, reading data, assessing where problems may reside and deciding where intervention is needed. Epidemiologists have the opportunity to provide thoughtful, scientific analysis to help improve the care of patients and the safety of health care workers." --accessed from money.usnews.com
William Foege!
He helped lead the campaign to eliminate smallpox during the 1970s, saving millions.
Education Requirements!
- To be an epidemiologist, you have to take one course each of chemistry, biology, calculus, health science, social science, and behavioral science.
- A master's degree is the minimum degree required to have a career in epidemiology, but some epidemiologists pursue a PhD.
- It takes four years to get a master's degree and at least six to get a PhD.
What's the job like?
Salary
The median salary for non-medical epidemiologists was $67,420 in 2014.
Fulfillment
Epidemiology ranks #2 in U.S. News' 2016 list of Best Science Jobs.
Satisfaction
Epidemiologists have an average amount of stress in their jobs, relatively flexible schedules, and a lot of upward mobility.
SO BECOME AN EPIDEMIOLOGIST!
Unless you're bad at your job and you let everyone get the flu, then it won't hurt to help the world become a healthier place. With the outbreak of Zika virus in South America, we may just need them more than ever.