Five Cal State Fullerton alumni recently wrapped up a yearlong fellowship program to gain hands-on work experience in the health care industry to jump-start their careers.
The alumni worked at the Orange County Health Care Agency as fellows through CSUF’s Professions Advancing and Transforming Health Academy’s Post-Undergraduate Fellowship Program.
The program is open to CSUF graduates seeking an advanced degree and a career in any health field, including counseling, psychology and social work. Fellows also receive guidance and support as they apply for graduate programs.
To address California’s demand for health care workers, the fellows work at OC Health Care Agency for a year to learn its internal workings while applying for their prospective graduate programs.
“Work-based learning has become increasingly important when pursuing careers in health fields,” said Alice Lee, associate professor of public health and PATH Academy director. “Through the program, fellows gain critical hands-on experience to prepare them for success in graduate school and their future health careers.”
CSUF public health alum Anna Le was among the program’s first five fellows to finish her yearlong work at the agency. During their fellowships, Le and the other alums contributed across multiple departments within the agency’s Behavioral Health Services.
Le earned her bachelor’s degree in public health in 2024 and is the first in her family to pursue a graduate degree. She chose to return to CSUF this fall to begin the Master of Public Health program.
Le said that the health care agency experience reinforced her passion for community health.
“Through CSUF’s master’s program, I aspire to expand my public health knowledge and deepen my compassion for the communities I will serve,” said Le, who plans to pursue a career as an epidemiologist or data analyst in chronic disease research.
Six new fellows are now working at the health care agency, with recruitment for 2026-27 fellowships opening late next spring.