Public Health Internships: How to Find the Right One

A public health internship offers opportunities to enhance your education and prepare for your career path. It can help you gain practical experience and learn about various careers within the broad public health sector, including areas like public policy, epidemiology, research, global health, education, communications, biostatistics, and community health.

In this article, you'll explore the definition of public health and the work duties and potential salary of a public health intern. You'll also learn where you might work and where and how to find a public health internship. 

What is public health? 

Public health involves studying how to promote and protect people’s health and maximize positive outcomes in daily life, including learning, play, and work. Public health focuses on identifying the causes of health issues, such as low birth rates, gun violence, obesity, and health inequity. Public health workers use data to enforce policies, programs, and strategies to alleviate these issues.

What does a public health intern do?

A public health intern assists a team at a corporation, non-profit organization, or government agency. Depending on where you work as a public health intern, you might assist with duties like:

• Data collection and analysis 

• Development of educational materials

• Disease tracking

• Policy development

• Research design

• Setup of health screening and workshops

The broad nature of the public health field offers a plethora of available internships. Public health interns can work in epidemiology at a pharmaceutical firm or as a policy analyst for a think tank in Washington, DC. 

Read more: What Is Public Health? Your Career Guide

Types of public health internships

Public health internships fall into two primary categories: paid and unpaid. Typically, they are very competitive, especially at top-tier institutions such as the WHO, the UN, and national—or city-level government agencies. 

Because of their competitive nature, public health internships may not pay a salary or stipend. However, unpaid opportunities still offer value. Fortunately, some can provide academic credit at your college or university. Others offer you a chance to gain the practical experience you may not otherwise have, high-profile credentials to add to your resume, and the ability to build your professional network. 

As mentioned, internships in public health vary greatly within focus areas, such as: 

• Community health

• Epidemiology and research

• Public policy and administration

• Biostatistics and informatics

• Communications

• Education

• Mental health

• Population health

• Emergency and disaster management

• Social science and research

• Health technology

• Medicine

• Environmental health

• Hygiene

• Nutrition

• Sanitation

How much do public health internships pay?

The salary for internships in public health can vary greatly, and some don’t offer any payment. However,  earning university credits or gaining experience can provide just as much benefit to your career. Public health interns earn an average of about $18 per hour [1]. Public health internships for master's or graduate-level students may pay more than those for undergraduates.

Benefits of a public health internship

You can benefit from a public health internship in many ways. Some common benefits you may enjoy including the following:

• Networking: You’ll meet coworkers, managers, and other interns with whom you can keep in touch for future job opportunities—and maybe make new friends.

• Mentorship: You may meet someone whose career inspires you, and that person may also see a spark in you. Ask them to be your mentor.

• Boost your professional skills: You’ll apply what you’ve learned in school to real-world issues. The workplace environment often differs greatly from your studies, so employers like to see you have this hands-on experience on your resume.

• Career exploration: An internship can act as a “test drive” of the duties you’d like to pursue. Or, it can deter you from applying for jobs in a focus area outside of your interests. As learning experiences, both offer excellent outcomes. 

• Job opportunities: An internship can sometimes turn into a job upon graduation. You can carry those connections and experiences into the future even if it doesn’t. You never know when you might want to reach out to a former colleague on LinkedIn for an informational interview or career advice.

• Fun: Internships can offer fun and excitement,  especially in large cities with many public health opportunities like New York City or Washington, DC. Internships outside the United States allow you to meet new people, explore new places and cultures, and expand your horizons.

Remember, the more you put into an internship, the more you’ll reap strong connections and learning opportunities. When seeking internships, it's essential to be proactive about finding the right one.

Where to find public health internships (+ examples)

To find public health internships quickly and easily, try a  Google search for “public health internships” and see what catches your eye. Later, you can organize your research by thinking about which specific jobs, organizations, or focus areas called out to you.

Do I need to major in public health?

You can major in various areas of study, including sociology, anthropology, global health, biology, health care administration, environmental health, social work, nursing, and more.

The best websites to search for internships include:

• Google (A job search aggregates dozens of internships.)

• LinkedIn (Be sure to polish your profile before you apply.)

• Glassdoor

• Indeed

• Idealist (Best for non-profit or social good organizations)

• USAJOBS

• Your university’s career center or job portal

As a public health student, the following sectors may interest you:

• Government

• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or non-profit organizations (NPOs)

• Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) such as the UN or WHO

• Think tanks

• Colleges and universities

• Corporations (ex. Pharmaceutical companies)

• Social enterprises

• Community-based organizations

A selection of top public health internships include:

• WHO Internship Programme

• Columbia University Medical Center – Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP) 

• Kennedy Krieger Institute – Maternal Child Health Careers / Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement-Undergraduate Program (MCHC/RISE-UP) 

• Morehouse College – Project IMHOTEP 

• University of Michigan School of Public Health – Future Public Health Leaders Program (FPHLP) 

• UCLA – Public Health Scholars Training Program

• Kennedy Krieger Institute – Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program (Ferguson Fellows)

• NYC Health Department’s Public Health Internship Program

• APHA Internships & Fellowships

• HOSA’s list of health-related internships

More internship opportunities might include the ACLU, the Public Health Institute, private companies like Pfizer, and more. Identifying your desired focus areas can help you find internships that sound exciting to you. 

What are the best public health internships?

The “best” internship is one that aligns with your career goals and interests. It could be in a high-profile organization like the WHO or community resources. You’ll find opportunities in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Note the location, hours, and type of work you’ll do to select the best option. 

How to find public health internships

Knowing where to look is only half the equation; researching your options and applying for internships are the next steps forward. Now that you know more about public health internships, use this step-by-step guide to find one that aligns with your goals.

1. Do your research.

Take your time seeking out potential internships. Look at websites, research organizations, and talk to people in your network. Access professional social media sites like LinkedIn to find former interns in your area of interest and ask for an informational interview.

If you’re seeking a summer internship, remember some application deadlines start in the fall of the previous year. For a summer internship, you may need to begin your search in the fall.

Once you’ve identified some favorites, create a spreadsheet or list. Rank the internships according to focus area and competitiveness. Be sure to have backup options. Is the internship paid or unpaid? Can you apply for course credit? What does the application require—a cover letter, resume, and recommendation letters?

2. Apply for internships.

Start the application process long before deadlines arrive. Paper due dates and exams can pile up during the year, and internship applications can fall by the wayside. Apply for internships in the areas that interest you, and send in a few extras for additional options. 

Read more: How to Write an Internship Cover Letter: 9 Tips (+ Examples)

3. Learn, work hard, and build relationships.

If you get an internship, congratulations! Now, the fun begins. 

Treat the internship like a new job. Be a sponge, and take every opportunity to soak up as much as possible. Be diligent in completing your work, and apply analytical, creative, and strategic thinking. Also, before you end your internship, meet with your manager and ask if they would be willing to provide letters of recommendation for future job opportunities.

Learn more: Starting a New Job: 18 Tips for Early and Ongoing Success

Get a Master of Public Health on Coursera

Public health internships can pave the way to a brighter career path and empower you with the expertise and skills to continue moving forward. Once you’ve graduated from your bachelor’s program, consider getting a Master of Public Health to elevate your career in this competitive, rewarding, and in-demand field. Choose from high-ranking programs from institutions such as the University of Michigan or Imperial College London.