It is often difficult for those new to the field to envision how they might apply their existing knowledge and skills to international family planning, reproductive health, and population-environment projects. The list below matches various majors with the types of projects on which professionals in the field might work.
This list includes a number of long-term activities that it would, of course, not be possible to carry out during a three-month internship. Thus, interns may play a supporting role in or be exposed to projects of this nature. However, their primary contributions will involve tasks that can be accomplished during their shorter tenure with their host organizations. For a list of the most common intern activities, please click what interns do. You can also read profiles of former interns in our MSI Newsletter.
Anthropology, Psychology
Conduct research assessing local teens’ reproductive health knowledge, attitudes, and practices in order to guide the development of youth-friendly clinics.Area Studies, Languages
Help adapt reproductive health activities designed for one area of the world to another region's unique cultural system. Translate related family planning and health education materials.Biology
Draft information on a new microbicide designed to reduce the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Help coordinate research on new contraceptive methods.
Business Administration, Economics
Determine how various compensation models affect the effectiveness of family planning providers and client satisfaction.
Communications
Write scripts for a radio soap opera that entertains while modeling reproductive health-related skills like practicing abstinence, negotiating condom use, and accessing domestic-violence services.Computer Science, Statistics, Management
Create a management information system to help clinics gather and analyze client data. Help clinic managers use this data to budget and plan services.
Education
Develop materials and a curriculum for use by local educators to teach community members about family planning and STD prevention.Health Sciences, Environmental Sciences (Population-Environment)
Assess a community’s health and environmental needs, then develop a strategy to address primary, reproductive, and environmental health in an integrated fashion.
Marketing
Develop a marketing plan to launch a new contraceptive. Organize a concert and sporting event to promote the launch.
Nursing/Pre-Medicine
Observe patient visits at a family planning clinic to assess whether staff offer appropriate methods and provide clear counseling on risks and benefits.
Political Science, Public Affairs, Public Policy
Social Work/Human Services, Sociology
Help design an advocacy campaign to encourage the adoption of reproductive health care reforms. Analyze the effects of reforms on public health and population growth.
Analyze the relationships among local and international organizations working on reproductive health in a particular country. Develop a strategy for encouraging cooperation, joint goal setting, and coordination of services.
| Search Sitemap |