Case Study: CDC DSEPD improves candidate quality and diversity with Handshake Advocates

Handshake’s Advocates humanize the candidate experience for the CDC DSEPD

CDC DSEPD, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, wanted a more proactive way to recruit diverse fellowship candidates with limited staff, time, and bandwidth. The team had relied on email introductions between students and fellows or alumni, but needed a more direct way for candidates to hear firsthand about the programs and connect earlier in the process. Handshake’s Advocates product gave them a way to expand reach while keeping the candidate experience personal and secure.

With Handshake Advocates, CDC DSEPD connected prospective fellows with current fellows and alumni through 1-to-1 messages, video chats, and virtual events. The program engaged 400+ candidates, reached a 20.7% engagement rate, and contributed to a 3x increase in applicants.

CDC DSEPD

Erin Black

Associate Director for Policy, Partnerships, and Recruitment