CAREER PATHWAYS
Leveraging Social Media to Promote Public Health Laboratory Science Careers
By Ladan Ghedi, MA, senior specialist, Academic Partnerships and Stephanie Barahona, MS, media specialist, Marketing and Communications
APHL strategically uses social media platforms, such as LinkedIn and Instagram, to increase awareness of career opportunities in the public health laboratory and promote public health laboratory science careers. Social media content highlights mentorship, personal stories and real-world insights from the field, reinforcing the vital role public health laboratories play across program areas like food safety, environmental health and infectious diseases.
APHL’ s social media strategy for the Career Pathways in Public Health Laboratory Science: an APHL-CDC Initiative builds on themes of mentorship, storytelling and career education while reinforcing the association’ s mission to elevate the role of public health
An example of a quote testimonial featured on APHL’ s social media. laboratories. By featuring fellows, interns, mentors, public health laboratory ambassadors and emerging leaders, the strategy showcases the people behind the science. Through quote graphics, video testimonials and behind-the-scenes laboratory highlights, APHL brings real stories to life, illustrating the impact of careers in public health laboratory science. This content aligns with APHL’ s broader communications approach, which includes public health laboratory program areas like food safety, where interns and fellows are often placed. This integration helps prospective applicants envision and understand their future contributions to the field.
Career-specific and broader public health laboratory stories are often expanded through other multimedia platforms, such as the APHL Blog and Lab Matters magazine, which creates several opportunities for engagement. One example is a blog post spotlighting a fellow who assisted in the investigation of one of the most severe Listeria outbreaks in 13 years, which was promoted across APHL social channels. The story highlighted the fellow’ s contributions to the laboratory and emphasized the importance of a skilled laboratory workforce. Linking career-specific content with APHL’ s broader public health laboratory content, and sharing stories from other platforms, such as blogs, podcasts and magazine articles on social media channels, ensures visibility for both individual stories and the importance of a larger skilled workforce.
The blog post on APHL’ s LinkedIn page.
In addition to leveraging social media, APHL engages students through the Handshake home feed, a customizable student-facing dashboard where organizations can share updates, events and resources directly with users. APHL uses this platform to post engaging content, such as monthly spotlights featuring APHL Public Health Laboratory Ambassadors. These spotlights highlight an ambassador’ s educational background, interests and personal reflections, helping to humanize the profession and foster a sense of community with our online audience.
APHL also utilizes Handshake to promote careers in public health laboratory science. By posting job opportunities on the platform, students are sought after for the Public Health Laboratory Fellowship and Internship Programs. Webinars are
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Ladan Ghedi attended the 2025 Government Social Media Conference and gained insights to help strengthen APHL communication strategies. One session,“ Advanced Strategies for Using Plain Language in Social Media,” emphasized the importance of simplifying language to better connect with audiences. The speaker highlighted how using plain, direct language enhances clarity and engagement, making content more accessible and relatable, especially when communicating complex topics. Applicants are able to clearly understand program goals or application steps without needing to decipher jargon. They are more likely to view the organization as transparent, reliable and supportive.
8 LAB MATTERS Fall 2025 PublicHealthLabs @ APHL. org
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