California Pathways into Public Health Initiative Fellowship Program

About the California Pathways into Public Health Initiative

The California Pathways into Public Health Fellowship Program (Pathways) is a paid training and job placement program for aspiring public health professionals to gain experience working at a local health department.

Mission

To increase the workforce capacity of local health departments across California by providing training, support, and work experience for people from historically underrepresented and diverse backgrounds.

Vision

A representative public health workforce capable of effectively responding to public health priorities, promoting health equity, and advancing the health and safety of California's diverse people.

Fellowship Program Overview 

Throughout the program, Pathways fellows build their public health professional capacity and proficiency. Fellows support local health department host sites by conducting a wide range of entry-level public health activities. Key job duties may include (but are not limited to): 

• Communicable disease intervention activities  
• Emergency preparedness activities  
• Health education/communications and community outreach  
• Public health program planning, implementation, and evaluation activities  

Upon completing the program, Pathways Fellows are more qualified to apply for permanent positions with local health departments or other public health agencies. 

Comprehensive Training 

Pathways training focuses on developing transferable skills that fellows can use in their public health careers. The Pathways Training Team, consisting of experts from UCSF and UCLA, has developed a comprehensive curriculum aligned with the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals and the 10 Essential Public Health Services (EPHS). 

Fellows begin with a two-week virtual intensive training on the foundations of public health and participate in ongoing continuing education sessions throughout the 13-month fellowship. This curriculum also includes professional development to help fellows thrive in the workplace. 

The continuing education curriculum is organized into three modules: 

1. Health Equity and Community Engagement 
2. Data 
3. Program Operations 

Pathways Partners

The Pathways Program is developed and funded by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), in partnership with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), is responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Pathways Training Program.

Visit the Pathways program website to learn more.

Program Leadership