Career and Educational Pathway
Public Health Career and Educational Pathway Partnership
As part of the Center for Multicultural Health: Reducing Health Inequities Through Public Health Practice, the School of Public Health is taking a lead role in developing a comprehensive strategy and program to inspire and support greater numbers of students to choose and successfully pursue public health careers and education. The Public Health Career and Educational Pathway Partnership is a unique initiative that provides greater public health career and educational exposure, experience, and support to students in intermediate school, high school, junior college, and four-year universities. The initiative's goal is to increase the number of students from all ethnic groups and underrepresented groups who are motivated and well-prepared to pursue public health graduate work, and ultimately become effective leaders and professionals.
The partnership links successful programs that specialize in supporting students at each level, exposing them to possible paths and opportunities beyond their current level and connecting them to a continuum of role models, internships, mentors, and support resources. Students who are at more advanced levels provide inspiration, guidance, and support to those at earlier levels.
Current Key Program Partners
Through the coordinated efforts of the Health Professions Partnership Initiative, FACES for the Future, and Health Career Connection, students have uninterrupted educational and mentoring support throughout their educational path, from kindergarten to graduate school.
Health Professions Partnership Intiative (HPPI): The goal of the Bay Area Health Professions Partnership Initiative is to increase the number of underrepresented minorities entering the health professions. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds this five-year collaborative project. Working closely with local secondary schools and colleges, HPPI staff, student mentors and parents educate and inspire students about the health professions and work with them to improve their academic skills and success.
FACES for the Future (Health Professions Internship Partnership): In partnership with local high schools, health academies, colleges, universities, medical schools and residency programs, this three-year internship program is designed to introduce underrepresented minority high school students to the health professions. Program features include: academic tutoring, healthcare education, mentoring, hospital/healthcare internships and clerkships, case management, and psychosocial services.
Health Career Connection (HCC): Health Career Connection is dedicated to helping students make well-informed decisions about health care careers and gain practical experience in health care organizations. HCC provides paid internships, career resources, and networking opportunities to undergraduates interested in pursuing careers in health care. Interns are placed in all types of health care and public health settings, including community-based organizations, health care providers, and health departments. Interns also attend graduate school and career placement sessions and are linked to current graduate students and alumni. A number of former participants in these programs have already gone on to obtain graduate degrees in public health, undergraduate education, or medical school. Many are already successful leaders and professionals.
The initiative is developing additional partners and programs to work toward its ultimate vision of providing exposure and support from the elementary school level through graduate school.
By participating in these programs, School of Public Health students gain a strong sense of contributing to future professionals and communities. Prospective students can potentially strengthen their knowledge, experience, and preparation by applying for participation in these programs or being referred to others that fit their interests.
