Healthcare Summer Internships for Students: Exploring Opportunities and Building Future Leaders

Summer internships in healthcare provide invaluable opportunities for students to explore various health professions, develop real-world skills, and gain practical experience. These programs are designed to help students launch their careers and provide them with a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare field. This article delves into the diverse options available for students seeking summer internships in healthcare, highlighting the benefits, eligibility criteria, and key programs offered by leading organizations.

Introduction to Healthcare Summer Internships

Healthcare internships offer students a chance to immerse themselves in the healthcare environment, whether it's in hospitals, public health organizations, or corporate settings. These internships are structured to provide hands-on experience, professional development, and exposure to different facets of the healthcare industry. Through these programs, students can solidify their career interests, build a professional network, and enhance their resumes.

Benefits of Healthcare Summer Internships

Participating in a healthcare summer internship offers numerous benefits, including:

Real-World Skills Development: Interns gain practical skills by working on real-world projects and initiatives, contributing to essential business operations.
Career Exploration: Internships allow students to explore different career options and fields within healthcare, helping them make informed decisions about their future.
Professional Networking: Interns connect with healthcare professionals, business partners, customers, and vendors, building a valuable professional network.
Educational Experience: Comprehensive educational programs complement hands-on internship placements, providing students with a well-rounded learning experience.
Financial Support: Many internships offer stipends or paid positions, helping students finance their education and living expenses.
Leadership Skills Development: Interns participate in formalized programs that increase their knowledge of the healthcare industry and develop essential leadership skills.
Community Engagement: Opportunities to engage with community and policy stakeholders, addressing health challenges in underserved communities.

Comprehensive Internship Programs

Several organizations offer comprehensive summer internship programs designed to provide students with invaluable exposure to the health field. These programs often include full-time, paid internships that align with students' interests, strengths, and career goals.

Health Career Connection (HCC)

Health Career Connection (HCC) offers immersive, career-launching educational programs designed to help students explore health professions and build real-world skills. HCC partners with a wide range of leading health organizations to offer meaningful educational experiences.

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Program Overview: HCC’s summer health internships are designed for undergraduate students (4-year college or community college) and recent graduates (up to 3 years out of college) wishing to gain work experience in healthcare, public health, behavioral health, advocacy, and biopharma-related settings.
Eligibility: While the majority of HCC interns are college juniors, seniors, or recent graduates, sophomores and freshmen who demonstrate a commitment to community and interest in healthcare, public health, primary care, and/or behavioral health are also considered. International students are also able to apply but must be attending school in the United States.
Internship Structure: Interns learn by doing through a hands-on internship placement and HCC’s comprehensive career and professional development educational program. This combination of program components requires a full-time commitment Monday through Friday during daytime work hours. Internships are 10 consecutive weeks from your start day.
Educational Components: Summer workshops are a mandatory complement to student internships. HCC does not provide academic credit but supports students who would like to receive academic credit for their summer health internship.
Placement Examples:
- Strategic development and process improvement efforts for the Sagoff Breast Imaging & Diagnostic Center.
- Quality improvement projects at healthcare facilities.
- Patient satisfaction improvements in hospital units, such as the Duke Birthing Center.
- Training and resources for nurses on translation services and LGBTQ patient resources.
Additional Requirements: All selected interns must be able to complete a full-time, 10-week educational internship experience. Taking summer school classes, studying for standardized tests, or assuming any other paid or voluntary positions during the internship period are not permitted.

Kaiser Permanente (KP)

Kaiser Permanente offers internships across their organization, from local hospitals to corporate offices, providing students with opportunities to develop their skills and confidence.

Program Overview: Internships at Kaiser Permanente are designed to set students up for successful business or technology careers in healthcare. The program enhances professional competencies and knowledge in the dynamic world of healthcare.
Internship Structure: Each internship lasts 10 to 12 weeks during the summer months (typically June through August). Interns work on real-world projects and initiatives.
Eligibility: Positions are available for undergraduate and graduate-level students with backgrounds in business, computer science, information systems, public health, finance, statistics, marketing, communications, and other disciplines.
KP LAUNCH: Kaiser Permanente's vision for KP LAUNCH is to positively impact the lives of young adults from backgrounds that are currently underrepresented in health care careers and build a pipeline of diverse talent that will become future leaders in health care. The program focuses on young people who would otherwise lack the resources to explore a career in health.

Corewell Health

Corewell Health offers internships and job shadowing experiences for high school and college students exploring career opportunities in healthcare.

Program Overview: Corewell Health is committed to student learning and provides great experiences for students through job shadows and internships.
Internship Structure: Most paid internships occur in the summer, but may be posted on the job board between October and March. Positions are open to undergraduate or graduate students.
Job Shadowing: Job shadows provide students and other community members the chance to observe a professional and ask questions about their career in a “hands-off” environment. These experiences are permitted up to 40 hours per calendar year.
Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers play a vital role in creating a positive, patient-focused tradition at Corewell Health, working directly with patients or in non-patient settings.

Atlantic Health System

Atlantic Health System offers the Overlook Summer Internship Program (OSIP) for college students considering applying to medical school, as well as a Child Life Internship Program.

Overlook Summer Internship Program (OSIP): Designed for college students who are considering applying to medical school.
Child Life Internship Program: A full-time position that meets all of the standards for child life certification, offered several times throughout the year.

Cardinal Health

Cardinal Health offers a 10 to 12-week summer internship program where students work on meaningful projects to gain hands-on experience and build a solid foundation for their future.

Program Overview: Interns interact with Cardinal Health professionals, business partners, customers, and vendors, making meaningful contributions to business-essential projects from day one.
Internship Structure: The program includes a formalized curriculum, increasing interns' knowledge of Cardinal Health and the healthcare industry, and developing essential leadership skills.
Eligibility: Internships are available for students pursuing a degree in business, engineering, technology, and more.
Employee Resource Groups: Cardinal Health maintains and fosters a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC offers various internship, training, and volunteer opportunities for students of all academic disciplines and levels through the Pathways Program and other initiatives.

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Pathways Program: The Pathways program includes the Internship Program, the Recent Graduates Program, and the Presidential Management Fellows Program.
- Internship Program: Offers internship and summer employment opportunities to students. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent job in the civil service.
- Recent Graduates Program: Recent college graduates can obtain enriching developmental work experience in public health and related support occupations.
- Presidential Management Fellows Program: Offers leadership development opportunities to students who are in the process of completing their master’s, law, or doctoral-level degree within the academic year.
Student Summer Employment: Provides training and work experience for individuals during summer months.
CDC Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program: Offers students work experience in various occupations during the academic year and/or summer months, exposing them to public health careers.
CDC Student Worksite Experience Program (SWEP): Offers high school and college students non-paid, educationally related work opportunities.

Emory Rollins School of Public Health’s Earn and Learn Program (REAL)

The Emory Rollins School of Public Health’s Earn and Learn Program (REAL) offers MPH/MSPH students valuable opportunities to earn money for their living expenses while they learn.

Eligibility: Students must be enrolled in the Emory Rollins School of Public Health (RSPH) and must have received the REAL award through their Financial Aid and Career Services Offices.
Award Amount: The REAL Award is typically up to $2,500 per semester or up to $5,000 per academic year.
Payment Structure: Funds are paid directly to students on a bi-weekly basis, depending on the number of hours worked.

Thurgood Marshall College Foundation/CDC Ambassador and Internship Program

The Thurgood Marshall College Foundation/CDC Ambassador and Internship Program is designed to increase interest in public health careers among minority students and increase minority representation in mission critical occupations at CDC and the public health workforce.

Program Goals: To promote CDC as a preferred employer and encourage minority students to consider public service and public health careers.
Student Ambassadors: Student ambassadors work at their campuses and in their communities to actively promote public service and public health among their peers.

MultiCare Health System

MultiCare Health System offers several internship programs, including the Supply Chain Internship and the MultiCare Academy for Students in Healthcare (M.A.S.H.) Camp.

Supply Chain Internship: Offers students an immersive opportunity to understand and contribute to the complex logistics behind health care operations.
MultiCare Academy for Students in Healthcare (M.A.S.H.) Camp: A free, five-day camp for current sophomores, juniors, and seniors to explore careers in health care.

Health Scholar Program

The Health Scholar program offers students firsthand experience in both clinical and administrative health care settings, allowing them to become an integral part of the care delivery team.

Program Overview: Health Scholars assist with basic comfort care for patients alongside nurses, physicians, and other members of the care delivery team.

Health Research Training Program (HRTP)

For over 60 years, the Health Research Training Program (HRTP) has provided the opportunity for undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students to experience some of the real-life challenges of public health.

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Program Overview: Students work on current relevant public health issues under the close supervision and mentorship of experienced professionals, applying classroom learning to practical problems in a closely matched practicum.
Financial Support: In most placements, financial support is available for HRTP students.

Eligibility and Application Process

Eligibility criteria for healthcare summer internships vary depending on the program and organization. However, common requirements include:

Enrollment in an Educational Institution: Applicants must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a diploma, certificate, or degree-seeking student.
Academic Standing: Many programs target college juniors, seniors, or recent graduates, but some also consider sophomores and freshmen.
Commitment to Healthcare: A demonstrated commitment to community and interest in healthcare, public health, primary care, and/or behavioral health is often required.
Legal Work Authorization: Applicants must be able to legally work in the United States.
GPA Requirements: Some programs may have GPA requirements.

The application process typically involves submitting a resume, cover letter, and transcripts. Some programs may also require essays or interviews.

Securing Academic Credit

While many internship programs do not directly provide academic credit, they often support students who wish to receive academic credit for their summer health internship. Students should consult with their academic advisors to determine the requirements and process for obtaining academic credit.

Tips for a Successful Internship Experience

To make the most of a healthcare summer internship, students should:

Be Proactive: Take initiative, ask questions, and seek out opportunities to learn and contribute.
Network: Build relationships with colleagues, mentors, and other professionals in the field.
Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback on your performance and use it to improve.
Stay Organized: Manage your time effectively and keep track of your projects and responsibilities.
Be Professional: Maintain a professional demeanor and adhere to workplace etiquette.

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