After completing orientation and as part of the onboarding process, fellows receive a two-week intensive training, in which they learn about foundational public health topics such as: 

• Communicable & Chronic Diseases
• Community Outreach & Engagement
• Health Communication
• Emergency Preparedness

Regular continuing  education sessions

Following the two-week intensive training, fellows receive regular continuing education sessions throughout the fellowship. These virtual continuing education sessions cover the following areas:

• Foundations of the Public Health
• Health​ Equity & Community Engagement
• Data
• Program Operations

Professional Development & Mentorship

While engaging in the two-week intensive and continuing education sessions, fellows meet each other and expand their professional networks, while also having access to job board opportunity alerts. Additionally, interested fellows can participate in a Mentorship Program to be matched with a professional mentor, who is able to provide career guidance, academic planning, and coaching support. To enhance their experience, fellows will also be able to rely on the Mentorship Team for supplemental mentor-related support.

UCSF Fellow Supervisors & Local Health Department Preceptors

During the duration  of the fellowship, fellows will regularly meet with their assigned UCSF Fellow Supervisor and LHD Preceptor who will provide them with continuous support. UCSF Fellow Supervisors will handle fellows' Human Resources related matters like approve timesheets/handle payroll, process mileage reimbursement claims, complete annual performance evaluations, provide professional guidance, address general programmatic questions, etc. On the other hand, LHD preceptors will supervise fellows' day-to-day activities, assign projects, monitor performance, develop professional goals and action plans, and provide feedback.

***Learn more details about how fellows are assigned to local health departments and topic areas on our Fellowship Work Topic & Location page.

Monitoring & Evaluation 

At the conclusion of the 13-month fellowship, fellows will be able to demonstrate their proficiency in Pathways' core competencies. The core competencies are a set of general skills that public health professionals can use to showcase their well-rounded experiences. The Pathways Fellowship Program focuses on the development of such transferrable skills for fellows to use in the next step of their public health careers. To measure the progress of their skill development, fellows will be required to complete various surveys throughout the duration of the program.