During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of workers across New Jersey served as contact tracers, playing a critical role in tracking the spread of the virus under Governor Phil Murphy’s public health initiatives.

These individuals, often thrust into fast-paced and emotionally demanding roles, were essential in helping communities navigate the crisis. Years later, many have transitioned to new careers, leveraging their pandemic-era experience to pivot into diverse fields. A recent online discussion among former contact tracers reveals the varied paths they’ve taken, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges they’ve faced in the post-COVID job market.For some, the skills honed during contact tracing—such as data analysis, communication, and problem-solving—opened doors to specialized roles in public health.

One former tracer, who worked for five months in 2020, landed a position as a health education specialist at a state health department. Over time, their role evolved into a data scientist position focused on epidemiology. “It was a natural progression,” they shared, though they noted their current job is at risk due to state funding cuts.

Similarly, another tracer transitioned into a COVID-19 epidemiologist role but expressed concern about job stability as public health funding wanes.Others found their contact tracing experience to be a stepping stone to adjacent fields. A former tracer now works in environmental health, alongside colleagues who also traced COVID-19 cases. “Some of us became officers, while others moved into health administration or regulation,” they said. Another, who served as a COVID-19 case management team lead, used the experience to enroll in a Master of Public Health (MPH) program and now works in healthcare policy.

Their former coworkers branched out into health informatics and disability case management, showcasing the versatility of skills gained during the pandemic.However, not all transitions have been seamless. Several former tracers reported periods of unemployment or difficulty finding roles that matched their previous salaries or career goals. One individual, laid off from a health tech company after two years as a contact tracer, struggled to find stable work until recently accepting a case management position in mental health.

“It doesn’t pay as much as my last job, and I’m not a fan of social work, but it’s experience,” they said.

Another, who dreamed of a career in epidemiology after earning an MPH, found themselves managing a housing program at a nonprofit after being unable to re-enter public health. “It’s been a career crisis,” they admitted, citing the competitive nature of the field.Some tracers faced unique challenges in leveraging their experience.

A former contact tracer who worked in case investigations noted that infection prevention roles in hospitals often required nursing credentials, limiting opportunities for non-nurses. “I got lucky,” they said of their current hospital role, acknowledging the difficulty of breaking into the field. Others, burnt out from the intensity of public health work, left the sector entirely. One former tracer now works in customer support for a multinational company, citing exhaustion with public health’s demands.Despite the challenges, many former tracers expressed pride in their contributions during the pandemic and optimism about their future careers.

A current MPH candidate, currently unemployed, remains hopeful about landing an epidemiology role. Another, serving an AmeriCorps term with a county health department, aims to secure a permanent position. For those who stayed in public health, roles like maternal-child health specialist and syndromic surveillance epidemiologist reflect the lasting impact of their contact tracing experience.

The stories of these former contact tracers paint a complex picture of resilience and adaptation. While some have thrived in public health and related fields, others face ongoing hurdles in a competitive job market.

As New Jersey continues to move on from the COVID-19 era, the legacy of its contact tracers endures in the diverse career paths they’ve forged, each shaped by the unprecedented challenges of 2020.

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Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

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