Finding a Health Education Internship

1. Finding a Health Education Internship Presented on April 28, 2010 for AAHE4me.org by Melissa J. Haithcox, PhD Assistant Professor of Health Education

2. Overview This presentation is designed for students in community health education and health promotion. It will not cover K-12 teaching placements. In addition, the discussion is meant to complement and not replace the policies and resources offered at your university. This online conference will discuss ways to: choose a health education setting for your internship Find internship online Manage personal issues such as housing options

3. Objectives: At the end of the conference participants will be able to: Describe four factors to consider when deciding on an internship List four settings that health educators practice in and give an example of an internship in each List four online resources to find a health education internship Discuss personal issues such as housing, finances and health that may arise during an internship period.

5. The Purpose of the Health Education Internship The purpose of the health education internship is to provide practical hands-on experience for students. The internship provides students with on-site work experience that assists them in developing their entry-level job skills and increasing knowledge about the operation of health education or health related organizations. Interns apply their knowledge and skills from the classroom while learning from the opportunities and experiences provided.

6. The Goals of the Health Education Internship Goals of the internship include but are not limited to: Improving student�s ability to execute the seven responsibilities of a health educator (NCHEC.org) Enhancing the student�s understanding of an organization�s functioning both internally and within a larger community. Preparing future health educators to function within a professional health education environment.

7. A quality Health Education Internship� Assess Individual and Community Needs for Health Education Plan Health Education Strategies, Interventions, and Programs Implement Health Education Strategies, Interventions, and Programs Conduct Evaluation and Research Related to Health Education Administer Health Education Strategies, Interventions, and Programs Serve as a Health Education Resource Person Communicate and Advocate for Health and Health Education

8. The Process of Finding an Internship University Prerequisites Most schools require a field placement or some type of short term experience prior to internship Most, if not all, schools require a course that prepares students to identify and land an internship Topics such as goals and objectives, resumes, internship requirements and necessary paperwork are discussed

9. The Process of Finding an Internship (cont.) Questions to ask yourself before you start the process� What do I really want to do right after graduation? In 3-5 years after graduation? What setting do I see myself in? community, clinical, college, worksite, international? Where do I want to intern? Close to home, in another state, internationally? In a rural, urban or suburban setting? What is my financial situation?

10. What do I want to do after graduation? Do you want to work in a team or independently? Do you want to be out of the office or in front of a desk? Do you aspire to go to graduate school? Do you want to teach others perhaps at the university setting? Do you want to start your own organization? Do you want to travel overseas? Is there a particular health topic that interests you more than others?

11. What setting do you see yourself in? Community- What kind of community? Urban, suburban, rural? Clinical- Neighborhood clinic?, hospital?, insurance company? University- college health? Worksite-Large corporation? Smaller businesses? International health? Canada? Mexico? Africa? Beyond?

12. Options by setting-Community Planned Parenthood www.PPFA.org Native American Women's Health Education Resource Center- South Dakota http://www.nativeshop.org/about-us/college-internships.html National Area Health Education Centers http://www.nationalahec.org/home/ Office of Minority Health (HHS) http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlid=47 Idealist.org www.idealist.org

13. Options by setting- Clinical Coalition of Community Health Clinics http://www.coalitionclinics.org/coalition-internships.html New York City Health and Hospital Corporation http://www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/html/home/home.shtml ***Try local clinics, hospitals or larger doctor�s offices

14. Options by setting- worksite American University National Center for Health Fitness Jobbank http://www1.american.edu/academic.depts/cas/health/nchf/jobs/internships.html Medifit https://www.medifit.com/index.asp Take Care Health Systems http://www.takecarejobs.com/careers/internships-jobs

15. Options by setting- International Idealist.org http://www.internshipprograms.com/ �Intern Abroad http://www.internabroad.com/search.cfm �Volunteer International http://www.volunteerinternational.org/ WHO (primarily graduate opportunities) http://www.who.int/employment/internship/en/ Amigos de Las Americas http://www.amigoslink.org/

16. Paid or Unpaid? Most students desire a paid internship They are hard to come by� Consider negotiating other benefits Living stipend Training opportunities Job upon graduation Book scholarship Flexible schedule College Credit Be realistic� Can you gain this experience paid? Do you really need to be paid? Do the benefits outweigh the loss?

17. Managing Personal Issues Housing Craig�s list- www.craiglist.org Hostels- http://www.hostels.com/ Roommates, Family, Friends, Housing Swap Health Care Local clinics- such as planned parenthood or community clinics, sliding scale or health insurance Financial Trouble- Have a plan A and B. Apply for scholarships, part-time jobs, PREPARE�.

18. Questions?