Internships
The PHGIC strongly recommends, but does not require, an internship that
entails experience and training in an area of public health genetics.
PHGIC students can apply
to the PHGIC for financial support of such internships.
Setting Up an Internship
Students typically complete their internship between their first and
second year. They should be at least 8 weeks in length and entail experience
and training in an area of public health genetics.
Students often design their internships to simultaneously meet the requirements
of their degree program (if an internship is required by their department)
and to augment their studies in the PHGIC. Departmental requirements can
be obtained by contacting the student services representative(s) in the
appropriate department.
Students begin planning their internship immediately upon starting their
graduate program at the School of Public Health. To set up an internship:
- Begin exploring internship ideas and placements by...
- Discussing your interests with your faculty advisor.
- Searching the internet and public health publications for organizations
and initiatives in your area of interest.
- Speaking with students that have completed internships.
- Exploring the resources at the SPH Career Services.
- Contacting your department's student services representative(s)
for departmental internship information, requirements, and resources.
- Working with the Interdepartmental Concentrations Coordinator
to explore and develop the IC internship resources.
- Contact potential internship placements, establish a contact, and
discuss potential for an internship with their organization.
- Please share the internship opportunities that you find with other
students and the IC Office so that the resources may be extended to
future students.
- Decide upon an internship to pursue and follow the organization's
application procedures, or in the absence of an application process
formally express your intention to your contact at that organization
(i.e. a formal letter).
- Obtain documentation of the organization's intent to provide your
internship experience.
- With the guidance of your faculty advisor, department's student services
representative, and/or the IC Coordinator, work out the details of your
internship.
- Explore potential funding sources on the internet, related organizations,
in your department, and by completing and submitting the PHGIC
Internship Funding Application.
- If your internship will be outside of the United States...
- Participate in the University's PEERRS program to establish an understanding of how the institutional review
board process improves research (required of all IC students).
- With your advisor's assistance, submit your proposed internship activities
to the appropriate institutional review board (IRB
Health, IRB Medical)
for approval or feedback.
- Confirm details, keep copies of all the materials regarding your
internship, and stay in contact with your preceptor and organization
in the interim before departing for your internship.
During an Internship
While on an internship, students are invited to stay in contact with
their peers, faculty, and the IC office through email, phone, or other
means.
Students should make arrangements for an evaluation by their preceptor
while still on location.
When experiencing any complications, please contact your faculty advisor
and the IC Coordinator. They can be a valuable resource and want to help
your experience be positive as well as educational.
Following an Internship
PHGIC students are asked to complete some important tasks after completing
their internship, when they return for their second year of their graduate
program.
- Have the internship preceptor complete and submit a brief evaluation
or letter describing the quality and outcomes of your efforts at your
internship. If your preceptor is completing an internship or field experience
evaluation of you for your department, supply a copy of the departmental
form to the IC Office when it is completed.
- Complete and submit an internship Feedback
Form. Again, if completing a similar form for your department, provide
a copy to the IC Office.
- Present your internship experience to new PHGIC students during an
special PHGIC event at the beginning of the school year, and to the
SPH community at a departmental poster session.
Students are invited to share pictures, journal entries, and other documentation
of their experiences with the IC Office as a resource for students and
the PHGIC program.
<<< Top of page
Read about examples of past
PHGIC student internships >>> |
Site Menu
back to top