The Global Health Career: A Practical Guide to Finding and Sustaining Your Place in a Changing Field

An essential guide to navigating global health careers with strategies for planning, networking, skill mastery, and achieving personal and professional goals.

In The Global Health Career, Sharon K. Rudy provides an indispensable resource for anyone passionate about making a difference in the field of international public health. Having helped hundreds of global health professionals establish, grow, and transition their careers, Rudy combines stories, observations, and professional expertise to offer a comprehensive guide to navigating the complex and rewarding field of global health.

Rudy explores the real-world challenges and opportunities faced by health professionals from high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries, and offers practical strategies for creating effective career plans, building robust professional networks, and mastering the essential competencies needed for sustained success. From understanding the landscape of global health to crafting a vision for your professional future, Rudy provides a roadmap for both aspiring and senior global health leaders. Through engaging anecdotes and case studies, this practical guide addresses common dilemmas, such as transitioning from academic to program roles, overcoming self-doubt, and balancing personal and professional aspirations. The book also highlights the critical role of cultural competence, effective communication, and strategic thinking in achieving career goals. The guide's innovative perspective on the mechanics of the global health job market explains how professionals get recruited and retained, the role of the donor in global health professional life, and the evolving nature of the work itself.

Rudy's emphasis on the "business of one" mindset encourages professionals to view their careers through a strategic lens and foster resilience and adaptability in a rapidly changing global health environment. Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional looking to pivot into global health, this book offers valuable tools and resources to help you navigate your career journey with confidence and clarity.

Sharon K. Rudy was the Senior Global Health Director for the Public Health Institute. Dr. Rudy previously served on the Public Health Institute Board of Directors and was Vice President for International Relations. She has led or participated in multi-donor funded global health multi-year programs and activities in more than thirty countries.