How to Get the Cal-EIS Fellowship

At Touro University California, we have had three awardees over the past three years! We asked them to share tips on building a successful application. If you’re interested in applying, here’s how to maximize your chances of securing this sought-after opportunity:

1. Understand the Fellowship
   The Cal-EIS Fellowship is a full-time, one-year program aimed at individuals with a master's degree in public health or a related field. Fellows gain experience working alongside public health professionals in local or state health departments, contributing to impactful epidemiologic investigations and public health initiatives. Before applying, thoroughly review the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) webpage to understand eligibility criteria, program expectations, and application deadlines.
2. Demonstrate Passion and Experience
   In your personal statement, articulate why you are passionate about public health and how the fellowship aligns with your career goals. But don’t just tell them – show them. Provide examples of past projects or experiences that reflect your dedication to the field.
3. Be Honest About Your Skills
   It’s okay if you’re not proficient in all areas like statistical software, data visualization, or analysis. When asked about your experience, acknowledge gaps but emphasize your eagerness to learn during the fellowship (e.g., “I’m hoping to gain that experience during the fellowship”). The goal of the program is to build your skills, so don’t panic if you’re not an expert yet. Check out this LinkedIn post on what to say when you don't have the skills they're asking for.
4. Learn Statistical Software Basics
   SAS and R are commonly used in public health departments, and you’re likely to encounter them during the fellowship. While you don’t need to be an expert, gaining basic knowledge before starting is a huge advantage. Explore free resources, such as online R tutorials or the “Little SAS Book,” to familiarize yourself with coding and core functions.
5. Define Your Interests
   Before your interview, reflect on the type of data and work you’d like to pursue—e.g., Maternal and Child Health, Infectious Disease, or Disaster Epidemiology. Clear communication of your interests will help you get placed in a role that aligns with your goals and ensures a more fulfilling fellowship experience. Check out the section on programs and services of Solano County’s Department of Public Health, for example.

In the words of one of our TUC alumni and fellows, Mindi Martinez who served as a fellow at the Napa County Department of Public Health, “The Cal-EIS fellowship gave me the time I needed to gain confidence and skills as a new epidemiologist, by allowing me to take the knowledge TUC provided and apply it firsthand in the field.”

Once you get the fellowship, we have some advice from a current TUC graduate and Cal-EIS fellow, Madison Sisk. Of her time as a fellow, she says, “I've been on site visits with our infection prevention team, helping with grant writing, survey implementation, community presentations, focus groups...almost anything you can think of!

1. Leverage your preceptors and mentors – They offer valuable advice from their own fellowship experiences. Share your goals with them, and they’ll help you find tailored projects that align with your aspirations. Madi remarked, “If you share those goals with them, they will be more than happy to find projects tailored to guide you in the right direction.”
2. Don’t be afraid to say no – Setting boundaries is crucial for time management and mental health. It’s okay to decline non-essential tasks or ask to join later if you're at capacity. Colleagues respect it, and it’s seen as a positive way to manage workload. Madi says, “I've learned by watching, and noticed how many of my other colleagues confidently decline tasks or ask to join later on if they don't currently have the bandwidth, and no one has ever gotten mad at someone for doing that!”
3. Prepare for your next job – About two-thirds into the fellowship, start researching potential jobs and requirements. If you’re missing any key experiences, talk to your preceptor about incorporating them before the fellowship ends to ensure you're fully qualified for your next role. From Madi’s perspective, “Just remember that this fellowship is to prepare you for a future career, so your preceptors should be supportive of you asking for opportunities to do just that!”

Good luck, MPHers! We are rooting for you.