Host Site Benefits
The Pathways program provides interns and/or fellows to local health department host sites to gain public health experience and increase host agency capacity.
- Local health departments can host both interns and fellows at the same time (and in the same program if the need exists).
- Host site preceptors receive ongoing support and communication from the Pathways program.
- Interns and fellows are funded by CDPH, therefore, they are provided at no-cost to participating local health departments.
- Interns and fellows are assigned Pathways supervisors who are responsible for human resources-related tasks.
- Ongoing professional development and continuing education is provided by Pathways.
Preceptor Testimonials
“The Pathways program has been instrumental in empowering our department by providing access to diverse staff starting their public health career. Thanks to this collaboration, we have been able to significantly expand our capacities, efficiently tackling various challenges, and enhancing our overall effectiveness in serving the community's health needs. This program has truly been a game-changer for us, and we highly recommend it to other organizations seeking to strengthen their workforce and make a positive impact.”
“We are committed to building the future public health workforce. We need to mentor those early in their careers and life and expose them to public health in hopes they will choose this as a career. Our experience was very successful as our fellow will be starting an MPH program in the next month [after their time in the Pathways program ends]. This is a big success story!”
“Being a local health jurisdiction [host site] was not only an opportunity to help develop future public health leaders, but also a workforce capacity-building opportunity. I found being a preceptor [to be] rewarding as I witnessed the fellow's growth and also provided the opportunity to reflect on my management and mentoring skills.”