Opportunities in Washington, D.C.: Public Health Internships and Their Requirements
Washington, D.C., offers a multitude of public health internships for students and recent graduates. These internships provide invaluable practical experience, networking opportunities, and exposure to diverse areas within the field. This article explores various internship programs in the D.C. area, outlining their requirements, focus areas, and potential benefits.
DC Health Link Open Enrollment Period Student Intern Partnership Program (SIP)
The DC Health Link Open Enrollment Period Student Intern Partnership Program (SIP) presents an opportunity for students and recent graduates interested in healthcare-related issues. Interns contribute to the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority’s (DCHBX) mission of providing District residents access to quality, affordable health insurance.
Collaborative Environment and Growth Opportunities
Interns work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with DC Health Link staff and assisters. The SIP program focuses on professional and personal growth through workshops and training. These workshops cover topics such as networking with community partners, stakeholder engagement, grassroots outreach strategies, and the development of innovative outreach marketing materials and communications. Interns are also invited to participate in strategic planning meetings to share creative ideas and offer recommendations.
Whitman-Walker Institute’s Research Internship Program
The Whitman-Walker Institute’s Research Internship Program offers research placements for undergraduate and graduate students in public health and related research-oriented programs. The program aims to be mutually beneficial for both the student and the institute.
Eligibility and Commitment
Students actively enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area have two opportunities per year to apply for year-long research internships. These internships typically begin around the start of the fall or spring semesters and require a commitment of at least 10 hours per week.
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Matching and Agreements
Institute managers interested in working with an intern on a pre-defined project participate in interviewing and selecting candidates. Successful candidates are matched with a local supervisor. The Institute works to establish agreements with the student’s academic institution, allowing students to earn course credits or fulfill other degree requirements where applicable.
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Internship Program
The PAHO Internship Program provides individuals entering public health with hands-on experience within the leading health agency in the Americas. Interns are matched both in-person and virtually with technical or administrative programs based on their studies, interests, and skills.
Program Goals
The program aims to:
- Match interns from diverse academic backgrounds with a PAHO program to enhance their educational experience through practical assignments.
- Expose interns to the work and goals of PAHO, increasing their knowledge of PAHO’s mission.
- Provide PAHO programs with input from interns' perspectives and specializations.
Internship Details
Most interns are placed in health-related programs, but other disciplines such as communications, external relations, or human resources are also considered. Internships range from a minimum of eight weeks to a maximum of six months, with a minimum of 20 hours per week.
PAHO Internship Requirements
To be eligible for the PAHO internship program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
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- Be at least twenty years of age on the date of application.
- Be in the last year of a bachelor’s degree, enrolled in a master's or doctoral program, or have graduated within the last two years from such a program.
- Be fluent in at least one of the working languages of the office of assignment (English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish).
- Not be related to a staff member by blood or marriage.
- Not have previously participated in PAHO’s internship program.
- Possess strong writing, research, and organizational skills.
- Be able to work independently and demonstrate initiative and flexibility.
Visa Requirements
If required, interns must obtain a visa before traveling to their country/place of work. It is the intern’s responsibility to apply for and obtain the appropriate visa.
Interns working at the PAHO HQ in Washington, D.C., must adhere to Citizenship and Immigration Services rules and regulations. Applicants not lawfully present in the United States must apply for and be granted a G-4 visa before beginning their internship. Human Resources Management provides a letter to the intern for use in applying for a G-4 visa.
Valid options for interns' legal status include: Legal Permanent Resident; Have a valid visa with an Employment Authorization from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or be sponsored by PAHO with a G-4 visa; Be a Foreign Student in F-1 Nonimmigrant Status Participating in Curricular Practical Training that provides a valid Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or, be a Foreign Student in F-1 Nonimmigrant Status with the correct endorsement in the I-20 by the university.
Application Process and Schedule
Candidates express interest in two specific areas of work and two locations in the Americas when applying. All applications are made through the PAHO Career platform via the vacancy announcement for PAHO Internships.
Vacancy notices are open for six months at a time:
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- From February to June
- From August to December
Prospective interns may apply at any time when the vacancy notice is open. A PAHO technical unit may contact applicants at any time regarding an internship; therefore, the application review period is indeterminate. If an applicant does not hear from a PAHO technical unit within the first year, they are welcome to reapply if they still meet the eligibility requirements. Applicants will not be informed of the status of their application, and if they do not hear from a PAHO technical unit within 12 months after the closing date of the vacancy, they may reapply.
If selected, interns must provide proof of educational accomplishments.
Important Reminders
PAHO does not charge for internships. PAHO provides a stipend based on the intern’s location and whether they are serving on a full or part-time basis. The stipend may not cover all costs of the internship (i.e., travel, living accommodations), and the intern is responsible for covering the difference. PAHO is not able to sign any agreements proposed or required by a sponsor, university, or equivalent institution.
PAHO provides accident and illness insurance coverage during the internship assignment at no cost to the intern. PAHO accepts no responsibility or liability for costs arising from damages, travel, accident, and/or illness incurred during an internship.
Following completion of an internship with PAHO, an intern may not be hired under any staff or non-staff contractual arrangement with PAHO for six months.
Alliance for Health Policy Internship
The Alliance for Health Policy, based in Washington, D.C., offers graduate students the opportunity to work with a collaborative, mission-driven organization. Interns help develop critical conversations that will inform the future of our health care system and network among the D.C. health care community.
Program Details
Applicants should ideally be able to work a minimum of 30 hours per week, with a 10-12 week program duration. The position is an unpaid volunteer role. Applicants with a funded internship or scholarship seeking a host organization are given priority consideration.
Responsibilities
Interns monitor and attend health policy forums and hearings on Capitol Hill and in D.C. The Alliance for Health Policy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping policymakers and the public better understand health policy, the root of the nation’s health care issues, and the trade-offs posed by various proposals for change.
National Rural Health Association (NRHA) Internship Program
The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) has developed a robust internship program where interns can grow professionally and gain firsthand knowledge about rural health.
Internship Concentrations
The NRHA offers several internship concentrations:
- Communications: Support NRHA’s existing communication avenues.
- Government Affairs (GA): Track legislative and regulatory updates that affect the policy goals of NRHA, attend webinars and coalition meetings, circulate minutes to the GA team, and create advocacy/outreach materials and communications related to legislation.
- Program Services: Work on non-profit management, educational conferences, association management/finances, and research activities.
- Foundation Development: Focus on nonprofit fundraising, project development, and data collection.
Eligibility and Format
Candidates should be an undergraduate or graduate student working on a degree in public health, health policy, political science, health administration, or another health-care-related discipline. Candidates should have an interest in or working knowledge of federal and state health programs (especially Medicare/Medicaid) and rural health issues.
The Program Services and Government Affairs concentrations are offered in a remote, in-person, or hybrid format. The communications and Foundation Development concentrations are only offered in a remote format. Internships can be tailored to meet course requirements if students are interested in receiving academic credit.
NRHA Interns typically work anywhere from 16- 24 hours per week (2-3 days a week).
The Washington Center (TWC) Short-Term Program
The Washington Center’s short-term programs take learners beyond the classroom and put them front-and-center with individuals and institutions of influence. Participants build skills and professional networks, connect with individuals like elected officials and policy leaders, and explore the wide variety of jobs and professional roles available in a field like health policy.
Health Policy Immersion Program
This TWC short-term program takes place in Washington, D.C., with housing provided at TWC’s Residential and Academic Facility. Over the course of four days, participants gain practical skills in policy formulation, implementation, and assessment, with a focus on real-world application.
Program Cost and Inclusions
The cost of this seminar is $1,095, which includes housing. TWC's housing is ADA accessible, and wheelchair accessible apartments are available to participants who need them.
Application Requirements
Applicants need to submit the following documents:
- Statement of Interest: A 100-250 word statement explaining why the applicant is an ideal fit for the program and their goals for the experience.
- One-page Resumé: A current copy of the resume, including educational background and other experiences (internships, volunteer work, on-campus leadership positions, honors, or awards).
- Transcript: An official copy of the transcript from the current college/university, including the applicant's name, school’s name, cumulative GPA, and current courses.
American University (AU) Public Health Capstone Course
The Public Health Capstone course is offered every fall and spring semester for AU’s senior Public Health majors. In this course, students work in small teams to execute semester-long projects for community partner organizations.
Project Structure
The professor assists the partner organizations in developing their project descriptions prior to the start of the semester. Representatives from each community partner then visit the class early in the semester to “pitch” their projects to the students. After the students rank their top three project preferences, the professor assigns the project teams and the work begins. Essentially, the students work as consultants for the organizations, with the mentorship and guidance of the professor and community partner liaisons.
Benefits of AU's Location
AU's Washington location gives unparalleled access to internships at numerous governmental and non-governmental organizations involved in public health at the local, national, and international levels.
Student Experiences
Students have successfully applied knowledge and skills gained from their coursework to their internship experiences. For instance, students have used their knowledge of stakeholders, health promotion planning, statistical analyses, health research methods, and multicultural health to contribute meaningfully to their organizations.
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