Pathways Professionals and Interns

Pathways Professionals

Pathways Professionals (previously known as “fellows”) are individuals from diverse backgrounds, career or educational paths. They are also part of communities historically underrepresented in public health. Pathways Professionals are considered Washington State Department of Health employees.

The program places Pathways Professionals in paid employment positions across the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). Pathways Professionals work on projects in specific public health areas with workforce shortages or gaps. During their experience, they gain valuable experience working with public health professionals, programs, partners, mentors and organizations.

Using the 10 Essential Public Health Services, Pathways Professionals gain and apply helpful skills, knowledge, and experience within the public health work environment. Professionals contribute to an inclusive public health workforce that reflects the communities, languages, ethnicities, abilities, geography, and professions across the state of Washington.

Depending on funding, the program can provide the following resources:

  • Salaries
  • Equipment
  • Software and subscriptions
  • Travel costs for specific activities and programming

Who are Pathways Professionals?

Professionals and graduates who:

  • Identify as part of a community that has historically faced barriers to access and opportunities.
  • Come from non-traditional educational and professional backgrounds, related public service fields, or Tribal nation and Urban Indian based work.
  • Are previous or current academic students from programs, such as:
    • Trade schools
    • Medicine
    • Health and related health care programs
    • Public health
    • Undergraduate, graduate, dual public health and advanced degrees
    • Associate and non-traditional academic programs
    • International schools
  • Are community health workers, natural helpers, community representatives and community navigators.​
  • Are immigrant and refugee community members with public health/medical, community-based, or health educator experience.
  • Are interested in exploring the field of public health and government or career advancement in public health and emergency preparedness.

Pathways Summer Paid Internship Program

Launched in June 2024, the Pathways Summer Paid Internship Program offers students (associate to graduate level) the chance to apply their classroom knowledge to a professional, on-the-job learning experience. Pathways Interns gain experience on a wide range of public health activities and programs at DOH. Internship projects vary based on the student's degree, interests, and skills.

Pathways Summer Paid Interns will:

  • Work in a specific DOH office, division or team doing a variety of projects based on their academic, career or public health interests.
  • Earn an hourly wage throughout the 10-week internship (up to 35 hours per week).
  • Benefit from the Pathways Program infrastructure through cohort building and professional development which includes:
    • Participating in a shared learning space with the other Pathways Interns.
    • Attending optional agency trainings relevant to their work.
    • Accessing Pathways resources for emerging public health professionals.
    • Attending career panels and professional development activities to learn about public health and governmental public health systems.

Note: Interns are not eligible for benefits and will not collect leave or retirement benefits.

Who Are Paid Summer Interns?

Students who:

  • Are getting a post-secondary degree (at the associate level to the undergraduate or graduate level).
  • Have an interest in public health, government, or career advancement in public health.
  • Identify as part of a community that has historically faced barriers to access and opportunities in public health and government work.

Questions

Reach out to us about Pathways Professionals and Interns at workforcepathwaysprogram@doh.wa.gov.

For information about other internships and fellowship opportunities outside of Workforce Pathways, please visit the DOH Student Engagement page.

For other public health resources for students, please visit the Washington Public Health Academic Learning Collaborative page.