No worries, happy to answer! Yes, the final step is the matching process. Starting probably this week phone calls will start to go out. CDC will give you like a day or two to decide if you want the position. Then immediately start the HR process for you. Their goal is to have most/all HR completed by the end of August. In my year it took till about mid-september for the final official offer. However, assuming you don't have a storied past, once you get the call from CDC it is pretty much official (if you want it). Host sites will start our HR process in late-july August. Once the PHAP accepts then they will notify the Host site and begin that process. Your host site may reach out to you before Oct to get a resume and get to know you, or they may not.
"Mid-June to Late-August Offers will be made to selected candidates by CDC’s Human Resources Office and include notification of assigned geographic placement and agency name. Note: Host site location is NOT negotiable because associates must be placed in geographic and program areas CDC determines to have the greatest need."
I loved the PHAP program. I gained so much experience working in a health department that can be really hard to come by especially without a Masters. Often, local gov't are underfunded so having extra staff if such a huge help for them. Some people have a misconception that you are completing work for the CDC, but really you are working on projects at your host site. The CDC is basically just your HR person (pay, leave, etc.) and your support system in the form of a learning curriculum. It is really up to you to take advantage of opportunities at your host site. Some people will refer to you as an intern, but you are a full time paid employee so own it! Since everyone is placed all over the country I can't speak to exactly what your experience would be, but I am sure it will be great! Also, be comfortable with the pay going into the job. It is very clear online what the pay is and if you are nervous about the pay don't accept! This is a highly competitive program and taking a spot from someone who really wants it is not fair. If you leave the program early, the CDC will not replace your position so the host site is now down a staff member. I moved cities after my fellowship ended and the program 100% helped me to get the positions I am in now. My employer was familiar with the program and hired me based off the skills I gained from the program. This program can make it slightly easier to get a job at the CDC but it is not a funnel program into the CDC. I would recommend not going in with the expectations of getting a CDC job afterwards.
.....yeah, if they could just text me and tell me I didn't get a job, that'd be great
