CDC Pathways programs provide students and recent graduates with opportunities to gain professional experience in public health and related fields. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers internships, summer employment, recent graduate opportunities, fellowships, work-study programs and other pathways for people interested in building careers in public health and federal service.
Background & Job Description
The CDC Pathways Programs provide students and recent graduates with opportunities to gain practical work experience while exploring careers in public health and the U.S. federal government. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that it offers numerous internship, training, commissioned corps, fellowship and volunteer opportunities for students across different academic disciplines and education levels.
The CDC Pathways framework includes three main components: the Internship Program, the Recent Graduates Program and the Presidential Management Fellows Program. These programs are designed to provide students and graduates with developmental experiences that can support longer-term careers in public health and federal service.
However, the CDC source notes that the Presidential Management Fellows Program is being sunset and that no new candidates will be accepted through that program. Applicants should therefore focus on currently available CDC pathways and other opportunities listed through the agency and USAJOBS.
Tasks
Responsibilities vary depending on the specific program and position.
CDC’s Student Summer Employment pathway, for example, provides training and work experience during the summer months. Available work can range from office-support and trades positions to professional fields.
Students participating in the Federal Work-Study Program can gain experience in different occupations during the academic year and/or summer, including opportunities related to public health. Some assignments may also qualify for academic credit, depending on the student’s institution.
The Student Worksite Experience Program (SWEP) provides non-paid, educationally related work opportunities. Participants can contribute to projects and tasks intended to provide practical experience and support professional development. Opportunities can range from administrative and program support to research-related projects.
Qualifications
Education and Certification
Eligibility depends on the specific CDC opportunity.
For Student Summer Employment, applicants must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a diploma, certificate or degree program. Students must also be taking, or scheduled to take, at least a half-time course load at an accredited high school, technical or vocational school, college, university, graduate school or professional school.
The Recent Graduates Program is designed for individuals who have recently completed a qualifying educational program. Applicants generally must apply within two years of completing their degree or certificate, although veterans can have up to six years in certain circumstances.
CDC’s Regular Fellowship pathway requires at least a bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university. Participants may need additional qualifications depending on their status and fellowship arrangement.
Experience
Experience requirements differ significantly across the available pathways.
The student internship and summer employment programs are designed to provide work experience while students are still studying. By contrast, Service Fellowship categories can require substantial academic and professional experience.
For example, CDC states that Senior Service Fellows require a doctoral degree or equivalent together with substantial postdoctoral experience in a relevant scientific field. Associate Service Fellows require a master’s degree or equivalent and related postgraduate experience.
Regular Fellows, meanwhile, are classified as trainees and may participate in full-time or part-time arrangements subject to program and visa requirements.
Paid CDC Student Opportunities
One of the notable features of the CDC Pathways system is that several opportunities provide compensation.
CDC states that students in the Pathways program receive a competitive salary, although Student Summer Employment participants are not eligible for federal benefits.
For Federal Work-Study participants, students receive an hourly wage through their academic institution, while the CDC reimburses the institution for its portion of the student’s earnings.
The CDC’s Service Fellowship programs also provide stipends based on education and experience. Regular Fellow stipends are aligned with specified General Schedule ranges, with bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral-level qualifications corresponding to different GS levels.
How to Apply
CDC Pathways Internship Program
CDC directs students interested in internship opportunities to USAJOBS, where available student and graduate positions can be explored.
For Student Summer Employment, announcements are generally made between January and March each year. Students are advised to visit USAJOBS beginning in January for information about available summer employment opportunities and application instructions.
Required documentation can include:
- Resume or application
- Academic transcript
- School Verification Form
Applicants should carefully read each individual vacancy because federal employment opportunities can have additional eligibility, documentation, citizenship, security or qualification requirements.
Federal Work-Study Opportunities
The CDC Federal Work-Study Program provides another potential route for students interested in public health experience.
Applicants must be enrolled at an accredited college and have received a federally sponsored college work-study award through their educational institution. The student’s academic institution determines eligibility and employment conditions.
Students interested in this pathway should first contact their school’s Federal Work-Study coordinator to determine whether their institution is an educational partner with CDC.
Public Health Fellowships
CDC also offers fellowship opportunities for scientists involved in public health research, studies, training or investigations.
Service Fellowships covered under Title 42 are open to U.S. citizens and certain non-citizens, with fellowship classifications based on education and experience.
Senior and Associate Service Fellows may receive federal-style benefits when their initial appointments meet applicable requirements. These can include retirement coverage, health and life insurance eligibility and leave provisions.
Regular Fellow appointments generally begin for no more than one year and may be extended in one-year increments, subject to the stated maximum and visa restrictions.
Student Worksite Experience Program
Students looking for an unpaid educational experience can also explore CDC’s Student Worksite Experience Program.
SWEP is available to high school and college students and can provide practical experience for up to 180 days. Applicants must meet several requirements, including at least half-time enrollment, a minimum age of 16, background investigation requirements and good academic standing with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
The program can cover administrative, program-support and research-related work. Students may potentially earn academic credit if their educational institution permits it.
Importantly, the CDC states that students attending foreign schools are not eligible for SWEP, while international students attending accredited schools in the United States may participate when they meet the specified immigration requirements.
Additional Information
The CDC Pathways system offers several routes into public health-related work, but eligibility is not the same across every program. Students should determine which pathway matches their education level, employment status and other requirements before applying.
For students and recent graduates interested in public health, epidemiology, health science, research, government service and related fields, these programs can provide valuable exposure to the work of a major U.S. public health agency.
The CDC also highlights opportunities through its Public Health Training programs and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, providing additional routes for qualified individuals interested in public health careers.
Applicants should use the official CDC careers website and USAJOBS to verify current vacancies, deadlines and eligibility requirements before submitting an application.
Explore CDC Careers and Student Opportunities
Conclusion
CDC Pathways Programs can provide students, recent graduates and qualified public health professionals with opportunities to gain practical experience, receive compensation and explore careers within the federal government.
From paid student internships and summer employment to recent graduate opportunities, Federal Work-Study placements and specialized fellowships, the CDC offers multiple pathways for people at different stages of their education and career.
Because requirements and application periods vary by program, prospective applicants should review individual announcements carefully and use official CDC and USAJOBS information when preparing their applications.
This article is an independent overview based on information published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is not an official recruitment announcement from the CDC.
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