Fellow Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I don’t have any education or work experience in public health. Can I still apply?
A: The Pathways Fellowship Program is designed to provide a pathway into public health for individuals interested in a future career in public health. Fellows do not need to have previous public health experience or education but should be able to explain in their application materials why they want to have a career in public health.
Q: Is this a paid position?
A: Yes. Fellows receive at least $25 per hour for full-time, 40 hours per week, work. The Pathways Fellowship is a full-time job. People interested in applying to the fellowship should be able to work Monday–Friday, typical business hours, for the entire 13 months of the fellowship.
Q: I already work in public health, should I apply for the Pathways fellowship to gain new skills?
A: The Pathways fellowship provides entry-level public health work experience to people who do not have any current or previous public health work experience (previous public health internships are ok). People with current or previous public health work experience are considered to have less need for the Pathways Fellowship.
Q: How many fellows do you hire each cohort? How many applications do you receive?
A: The Pathways program receives about 300–400 applications for each cohort and hires around 40–45 fellows. The number of fellows hired for each cohort varies depending on the available host sites and the fellow application pool.
Q: I have prior public health experience. Am I eligible for increased pay if I’m accepted into the program?
A: No. All fellows, regardless of their prior experience or education, receive the same salary equivalent.
Q: Does this position come with benefits like health insurance?
A: Yes. Fellows are eligible to enroll in the benefit programs provided by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Q: What is the difference between CDPH and UCSF for the fellowship?
A: The Pathways initiative is a program of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). CDPH is responsible for funding and administering the program. UCSF is the Pathways partner agency responsible for hiring, benefits, payroll, and human resources for the fellowship program. Fellows are employees of UCSF and are considered contractors of CDPH.
Q: Can I negotiate where I want to work?
A: No. During the application process, candidates are asked to select which of the participating local health department host sites they are interested in being placed. As the fellowship is primarily in-person, applicants should select only those locations which they would be willing to re-locate to or can commute to from their current residence.
Q: Will I get to choose what subject area/s I want to work in during the fellowship?
A: The Pathways team is working to continuously improve our matching processes between fellows and host sites. Currently, geography is the primary deciding factor in matching fellows to host sites. Fellow interests and the duties the host sites will have the fellows perform are taken into consideration for matching when possible.
Q: I don’t live in California; can I still apply?
A: The Pathways Fellowship Program emphasizes the placement of applicants who are local to California. However, out-of-state applicants can apply and if selected, would be responsible for their own relocation costs to California.
Q: I’m currently enrolled in an associate or bachelor’s degree program. Can I still apply?
A: Fellowship applicants must complete one of the following eligibility markers prior to the start of the fellowship, to be considered for participation in the program.
a high school diploma (or GED) and 4 years of any work experience, OR
an associate’s degree and 2 years of any work experience, OR
a bachelor’s degree (no work experience is required).
Please note that the fellowship is a 13-month full-time in-person work experience. Work hours are typical business hours of Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. To participate in the program, fellows must be available during these business hours. Alternate work schedules cannot be accommodated, unless approved by the LHD Preceptor and Fellow Supervisor prior to the start of the fellowship.
Q: I am starting an online graduate degree program soon. Can I do the fellowship at the same time?
A: The fellowship is a 13-month full-time in-person work experience. Work hours are typical business hours of Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. To participate in the program, fellows must be available during these business hours. Alternate work schedules cannot be accommodated, unless approved by the LHD Preceptor and Fellow Supervisor prior to the start of the fellowship.