Building public health careers through student engagement in Poland

Background

Developing the future public health workforce requires educational environments that complement formal curricula and support the acquisition of organisational, communication, leadership and scientific competencies through practice. At the Faculty of Health Sciences, Wroclaw Medical University, this role has been fulfilled for almost 20 years by the Young Managers Scientific Society. Its core initiative, the Wrocław Public Health Days, is a recurring student-led platform integrating academic learning, scientific exchange, public health debate and community-oriented activities.

Objectives

To describe a long-term student-led educational model supporting competency development, career orientation and professional identity formation in public health.

Results

Between 2006 and 2026, more than 300 students participated in the activities of the Young Managers Scientific Society, many of them taking organisational roles in the Wrocław Public Health Days. Across 15 editions, the initiative included thematic sessions and workshops, 13 poster sessions organised as competitions, prevention activities and meetings with public health experts. Analysis of organisational records indicated that involvement in the society and in event organisation supported the development of teamwork, event management, scientific communication and intersectoral collaboration skills. Many graduates reported that participation helped them identify their career pathway, while some continued professional or academic activity in public health, prevention, health education and healthcare.

Conclusions

A student scientific society may serve as a sustainable educational environment for future public health professionals. Long-term involvement in organising recurring public health events may strengthen transferable competencies particularly in the field of health innovation. The Wrocław Public Health Days are the only public health student initiative in Poland with such a long tradition.

Key messages

• Student scientific societies can complement formal education by developing practical public health competencies through long-term engagement.

• Recurring interdisciplinary events organised by students can support career exploration and preparation for roles related to prevention and public health.