The Dr.Des Show

Dr. Des
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Join Dr. Des as she shares her journey, lessons, and expert advice to empower professionals and entrepreneurs to make an impact and build the life they deserve.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    The Truth About Public Health Jobs in 2026: Trends, Transitions & Opportunities

    Join The Public Health Club: https://www.publichealthclub.com/  In this powerful panel episode of The Dr. Des Show, we dive into one of the most pressing topics facing public health professionals today: job searching in the current political and economic landscape. Featuring a dynamic panel of leaders across policy, academia, and community health, this conversation unpacks what’s really happening behind the scenes in the public health job market—from funding shifts and policy changes to career pivots and emerging opportunities. You’ll hear insights from experts who have worked across federal government, CDC, academia, healthcare systems, and consulting, giving you a well-rounded understanding of where the field is headed—and how to position yourself to succeed. Whether you're navigating layoffs, considering entrepreneurship, or trying to secure your next role, this episode gives you the clarity and strategy you need. 👩🏽‍⚕️ Meet the Speakers Dr. Angelica Hardee (Host) Vice President of Community Impact at the American Heart Association, APHA Section Chair, and Adjunct Professor. Leads multi-million dollar community health initiatives across regions. Ryann Hill Founder & CEO of Indigo Hill Strategies. Former leader at the Federation of American Hospitals and Scan Health Plan with deep expertise in Medicare, aging policy, and government relations. Dr. Ashley Townes Assistant Professor at Texas Woman’s University and former CDC professional. Expert in social epidemiology, health equity, and Black women’s health, recently transitioned roles in today’s evolving landscape. 🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔️ Current public health job market trends and why many professionals feel stuck ✔️ How political shifts and funding changes are impacting hiring ✔️ Where the money is still flowing in public health (and how to follow it) ✔️ Real examples of career transitions from CDC, academia, and consulting ✔️ The rise of entrepreneurship and consulting as alternative career paths ✔️ How organizations like The Public Health Club are helping professionals land roles ✔️ What skills and strategies you need to stay competitive in 2026 🚨 Key Takeaways The public health job market is not shrinking—it’s shifting Understanding policy and funding flows gives you a major advantage Career pivots (government → academia → consulting) are becoming more common Entrepreneurship is no longer optional—it’s a strategic advantage Community, networking, and positioning matter more than ever 🎯 Who This Episode Is For Public health professionals struggling to land jobs MPH graduates navigating today’s competitive market CDC, government, or nonprofit professionals considering a pivot Aspiring public health consultants and entrepreneurs Anyone looking to increase income and career stability in public health 📌 Resources & Next Steps 👉 Join The Public Health Club for job leads, consulting opportunities & career support 👉 Connect with today’s speakers on LinkedIn to expand your network 👉 Start exploring consulting if traditional roles feel limited 💬 Let’s Continue the Conversation What trends are YOU seeing in the public health job market right now? Drop your thoughts in the comments or share this episode with a colleague navigating their next career move. 🔔 Don’t Miss Out Subscribe to The Dr. Des Show for weekly insights on: ✔️ Public health careers ✔️ Consulting & entrepreneurship ✔️ Income growth strategies ✔️ Industry trends & opportunities Join The Public Health Club: https://www.publichealthclub.com/ https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    1 hr

  2. 26 MAR

    How to Scale Your Public Health Consulting Business Beyond Solo Consulting

    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 what it really means to scale a public health consulting business—and why many consultants remain stuck trading time for money. The discussion began by unpacking what solo consulting often looks like in practice: professionals securing contracts while still maintaining full-time roles, with income directly tied to the number of hours they personally work. While consulting can offer flexibility and additional income, the speakers emphasized that it does not automatically eliminate burnout. Without clear boundaries and thoughtful decision-making, consultants can still take on too much work or commit to contracts that do not align with their long-term goals. The conversation then shifted to what scaling actually means for public health consultants. Rather than simply working more, scaling involves increasing impact and revenue without proportionally increasing personal workload. Dr. Des and Doc Bee discussed the signs that a consultant may be ready to scale, including consistent demand, repeat clients, a clearly defined area of expertise, and established credibility. They also highlighted practical ways consulting businesses grow beyond solo work, such as hiring subcontractors, developing structured service offerings, implementing repeatable systems, and strategically expanding the client base. Ultimately, scaling requires an identity shift—from consultant to firm owner, and from operator to leader. The episode concluded by connecting these concepts to the upcoming summit, where attendees will learn the foundational business strategies necessary before attempting to scale a consulting practice. 5 Key Takeaways Solo consulting often means trading time for money. Many consultants increase income by taking on more contracts, but their earning potential remains tied to the hours they personally work.Consulting doesn’t automatically prevent burnout. Without careful consideration of contract scope, workload, and capacity, consultants can still experience the same pressures as traditional employment.Scaling means increasing impact without increasing personal workload. True growth happens when systems, services, and teams allow work to expand beyond one individual’s time.Clear signals show when it’s time to scale. Consistent demand, repeat clients, a defined expertise area, and established credibility often indicate that a consulting practice is ready to grow.Scaling requires an identity shift. Moving from consultant to firm owner means transitioning from doing all the work yourself to leading people, systems, and strategy.https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    23 min

  3. 19 MAR

    How to Diversify Your Income Beyond a 9–5

    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 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.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.Diversification can strengthen both income and impact. Public health professionals can expand their careers through consulting, advisory roles, teaching, speaking, contract work, and evaluation.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.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.https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    34 min

  4. 12 MAR

    How to Sell Your Public Health Consulting Services (Without Feeling Salesy)

    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 a topic many public health professionals avoid but ultimately need to understand: how to sell consulting services without feeling “salesy.” The discussion reframed sales as an extension of public health practice—identifying problems and offering solutions—rather than persuasion or transactional pitching. Dr. Des and Doc Bee emphasized that most public health professionals are already solving complex problems through program design, evaluation, policy work, and community engagement. The missing piece is not capability, but the ability to clearly communicate that value to organizations that need those solutions. The conversation also unpacked why sales feels uncomfortable for many in the field. Academic culture often discourages self-promotion, and many professionals fear appearing transactional in a mission-driven space. However, the speakers explained that consulting opportunities rarely come from aggressive pitching. Instead, clients typically find consultants through referrals, prior work, reputation, and visibility in the right professional spaces—such as networking events and industry mixers. They also discussed what builds trust with potential clients: clearly defined expertise, confidence in delivery, and professional presence. The episode closed by emphasizing that effective sales is rooted in listening and problem-solving, not convincing, and by connecting these lessons to the upcoming summit, where speakers and sessions will focus on helping public health professionals position themselves so opportunities naturally come their way—including through structured networking and the summit’s pitch competition. 5 Key Takeaways Sales in public health is service, not persuasion. At its core, sales is about identifying a problem and presenting a clear solution—something public health professionals already do in their everyday work.Discomfort with sales often comes from academic culture. Many professionals avoid promoting their expertise because public health training discourages self-promotion and frames sales as transactional.Consulting opportunities usually come through relationships. Referrals, prior work, reputation, and being visible in the right spaces—such as professional mixers—are how most clients find consultants.Trust comes from clarity and confidence. Clients are more likely to work with consultants who clearly articulate their expertise, demonstrate professionalism, and communicate how they will deliver results.Focus on fit, not forcing the sale. Effective consulting conversations prioritize listening, understanding the client’s problem, and presenting a practical solution—or referring them to someone else if it’s not the right fit.https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    34 min

  5. 5 MAR

    3 Business Skills Public Health School NEVER Taught You

    Register for the Business of Public Health Summit [Atlanta Ga - April 10th, 2026!] In this podcast episode Dr. Desiree “Dr. Des” Strickland was joined by Dr. Brittny Wells (Doc Bee), public health strategist and founder, for an honest discussion about the business skills public health school never taught—but that professionals need to succeed today. Together, they unpacked a hard truth: most public health programs are designed to prepare students for traditional employment pathways, not entrepreneurship, consulting, or ownership. Even newer programs rarely center business development, leaving a gap between technical expertise and financial sustainability. In today’s political and economic climate—where even highly decorated and experienced professionals are being passed over for competitive federal and state roles—that gap has become more visible and more urgent. Dr. Des and Doc Bee walked through three core skills that can close that gap: sales, positioning, and systems. They reframed sales as relationship-building rooted in trust, not persuasion, and emphasized that public health professionals already possess many of the foundational skills required—they simply need to learn how to articulate and demonstrate value. The conversation challenged attendees to think about the difference between being capable and being known, encouraging them to turn academic assignments into work samples and to use their voice strategically, both online and in rooms that matter. They also discussed the importance of systems and operations in protecting time, scaling impact, and moving from reactive work to sustainable business practices. The episode concluded by tying these themes to the upcoming summit, where experienced consultants, founders, and public health leaders will teach participants how to operationalize these skills in practical, actionable ways. 5 Key Takeaways Public health programs train employees—not business owners. Without business skill development, even highly qualified professionals can struggle to create stable, well-compensated careers.Sales is about explaining value through trust. Relationship-based sales aligns naturally with public health because the field is already grounded in credibility, integrity, and community trust.Positioning shapes opportunity. Being capable is not the same as being visible. How you describe your work determines whether decision-makers see you as an expert or just another applicant.Your training can become your portfolio. Projects, evaluations, and academic assignments can be reframed as work samples that demonstrate readiness for consulting or contract work.Systems create sustainability. Structured processes and operational clarity allow you to move beyond a one-person hustle and build a business—or career—that protects your time and energy. https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    33 min

  6. 19 FEB

    6-Figure Biopharma Roles for Public Health Professionals

    Join the Public Health Club  In this episode of The Dr. Des Show, Dr. Desiree “Dr. Des” Strickland challenges the narrow narratives that often define public health career paths. Speaking directly to professionals who feel boxed into government, nonprofit, or academic roles, Dr. Des opens the door to biopharmaceutical careers that meaningfully align with public health training—while also offering expanded influence, competitive compensation, and long-term growth. This episode goes beyond simply naming alternative roles. Dr. Des focuses on the strategic repositioning required to move into biopharma, emphasizing that success is less about acquiring new skills and more about learning how to translate existing public health experience into industry-relevant language. Listeners are guided through how to reframe their work so it resonates with hiring managers, recruiters, and cross-functional teams in the biopharmaceutical space. Dr. Des breaks down three specific biopharma roles—Real World Evidence Scientist, Medical Science Liaison, and Patient Advocacy & Engagement Lead—explaining what each role actually involves and why public health professionals are well suited for them. A recurring theme throughout the episode is intentional preparation over blind applying. Rather than abandoning public health values, Dr. Des shows how professionals can pivot strategically while maintaining their commitment to equity, evidence, and population-level impact. 5 Key Takeaways Public health careers extend beyond traditional sectors, with biopharma offering roles that value public health expertise when it is positioned effectively.Real World Evidence roles heavily leverage public health skills such as study design, data analysis, and translating findings into actionable insights.Medical Science Liaison roles are not sales positions, but strategic scientific communication roles that reward strong stakeholder engagement and data storytelling.Patient Advocacy and Engagement roles closely align with public health values like equity, access, and lived experience, but require industry-specific framing.The biggest barrier to entering biopharma is not lack of qualifications, but failure to translate public health experience into outcomes-, evidence-, and strategy-focused language.https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    15 min

  7. 12 FEB

    How to Read an RFP (as a Public Health Consultant)

    Join the Public Health Club  In this episode of The Dr. Des Show, Dr. Desiree “Dr. Des” Strickland breaks down one of the most misunderstood—and anxiety-producing—topics for new and aspiring public health consultants: the Request for Proposals (RFP). Using clear, accessible language and practical examples, Dr. Des explains what an RFP actually is, how it differs from an RFQ, and why understanding that difference matters before you ever decide to apply. Rather than treating RFPs as paperwork hurdles, this episode reframes them as strategic decision-making tools. Dr. Des walks listeners through how to read an RFP with intention—evaluating fit, capacity, and opportunity—so consultants can make confident, informed choices instead of chasing every available contract. Using a real public health RFP from the Connecticut Health Foundation as a case study, Dr. Des unpacks each major section, including the scope of services, timeline, budget, proposal requirements, and submission details. She highlights what experienced funders are really asking for, where applicants often misstep, and why strong proposals are built on demonstrated expertise—not potential. By the end of the episode, listeners walk away with a practical framework for evaluating RFPs, positioning their value clearly, and avoiding common mistakes that cost otherwise qualified consultants the opportunity. 5 Key Takeaways An RFP functions like a job description for consultants, outlining a defined problem and expected outcomes while relying on your expertise to shape the solution.RFPs and RFQs are not interchangeable: RFPs focus on strategy and approach, while RFQs prioritize pricing for already-defined work.The scope of services is the most critical section of any RFP and should be reviewed first to assess true fit based on experience and expertise.Timelines and budgets are decision tools, not just details—they determine feasibility, pricing, and whether collaboration or subcontracting is needed.Strictly following proposal instructions (format, page limits, deadlines) is non-negotiable and often determines whether a proposal is reviewed or rejected.https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    22 min

  8. 5 FEB

    Where to Find Public Health Consulting Contracts

    Join the Public Health Club In this episode of The Dr. Des Show, Dr. Desiree “Dr. Des” Strickland addresses one of the most common questions she hears from public health professionals: Where are the consulting contracts—and is there really money in public health? Drawing from her lived experience as a public health consultant and firm owner, Dr. Des breaks down where consulting opportunities actually exist, the different forms they take, and how professionals should think strategically about pursuing contracts—especially when they are new to consulting. She explains why many people feel stuck or discouraged, and how the issue is often not a lack of opportunities, but a lack of clarity around where to look and how to position themselves. The conversation contrasts curated, non-federal consulting opportunities—such as those available through professional communities—with federal contracting pathways, including subcontracting. Dr. Des walks listeners through how these opportunities differ, what makes each accessible, and why understanding the landscape is essential for long-term consulting success. By the end of the episode, listeners gain a clearer framework for navigating consulting pathways, approaching contracts with intention, and writing proposals that align with the expectations of different audiences—moving from overwhelm to strategy. Key Takeaways Public health consulting opportunities exist across nonprofits, foundations, and community-based organizations, not just within federal systems.Curated, non-federal contracts are often more accessible for solo consultants and small teams and can serve as a strong entry point into consulting.Federal contracting is a long-term strategy that requires preparation, relationship-building, and often begins through subcontracting rather than prime contracts.Subcontracting provides a lower-risk way to gain experience, build past performance, and get paid while learning the federal contracting landscape.Successful proposals are audience-specific—community organizations respond to clear, value-driven language, while federal opportunities require more technical and structured writing.https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    15 min
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Join Dr. Des as she shares her journey, lessons, and expert advice to empower professionals and entrepreneurs to make an impact and build the life they deserve.

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  • Creator
    Dr. Des
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Dr.Des Show
  • Show Website
    The Dr.Des Show

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