⏰ Start Early!
Searching for an internship and processing your application takes time. Too many students wait until their last semester to look for their internship. This type of planning can cause a postponed graduation date. Make the necessary plans to complete all required classes prior to your internship to avoid delays.
Your Responsibility
Although we wish we had a magical list of all available internships, we do not. It is your responsibility to find your internship experience.
Begin by researching organizations with programs or jobs that you are interested in or are passionate about. Know about these programs/jobs before you start contacting them about interning.
Resources for Finding Internships
Networking
Your personal network is your most valuable tool. Ask friends, relatives, fellow students, and others if they are aware of any internship opportunities in the Public Health field.
Target Organizations
If you are interested in working for a specific company or agency after graduation, check their website for internship listings. If no listing is available, call their HR representative.
BYU-Idaho Career Center Resources
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Past Internships | Search for internships that have been completed by students previously | View Past Internships |
| Handshake | BYU-Idaho's official database for internships and jobs | Open Handshake |
| BYU-Idaho Alumni | Search for alumni by location, major, industry, company to find networking contacts | Alumni Network |
| LinkedIn (BYU-Idaho) | Official BYU-Idaho LinkedIn group with over 176,000 members | LinkedIn Group |
| LinkedIn (Public Health) | BYU-Idaho Public Health specific LinkedIn group | PH LinkedIn Group |
| Department Resources | Jobs and certifications page with additional listings | View Resources |
📱 Facebook Groups
Internship and job opportunities are frequently posted to these pages. Add and subscribe for suggestions and ideas:
- BYU-Idaho Public Health Students/Alumni
- P.H. Mentor
Keyword Search Tips
When searching online for specific Public Health Internship positions, consider searching more specifically than just "Public Health Internship." Try these alternative search terms:
Program Management / Behavior Modification
- Health Educator
- Health Educator Specialist
- Health Promotion Specialist
- Program Coordinator
- Program Plan Specialist
- Program Associate/Assistant
- Health Policy Coordinator
- Non-profits dealing with health
- Coalition dealing with health or prevention
- Grant writing
Health/Wellness
- Wellness Coordinator
- Wellness Assistant
- Wellness Specialist
- Wellness Manager
- Wellness Director
- Fitness Specialist
- Health Coach
Data Analysis
- Data Analyst
- Research Analyst
- Research Coordinator
- Epidemiologist
- Communicable Disease Specialist
- Clinical Research Coordinator
- Statistical Analyst
International Internships
The following criteria must be met for a BYU-Idaho student to be approved for an international internship:
- The requested internship is in a country that is not on the restricted travel list
- The sponsoring entity provides an appropriate visa and permits
- The internship experience does not primarily consist of providing humanitarian service (except for some Public Health major students) or teaching English (except for some TESOL minor students)
🌍 International Students
BYU-Idaho will also generally approve an internship outside of the United States if the applicant is an international BYU-Idaho student and the requested internship is in the applicant's country of residence or in a country that is within the same region of the applicant's home country and does not have travel restrictions or warnings.
⚠️ Final Approval
All international internships are subject to final approval by the Student Life and Academic vice presidents. University officials reserve the right to deny any internship application for safety, academic, or any other lawful reason.
On-Campus Internships
The following criteria must be met for an on-campus internship to be approved:
- Students may complete one campus internship
- Positions must be 20-40 hours per week unless previously approved as an exception
- Students must be paid through student employment (volunteering or working for scholarships will not qualify)
- On-campus internships must last the entire length of a semester
- Job duties and responsibilities must be substantial/elevated (no basic labor is permitted)
- The internship must require skills obtained in the classroom related to the student's major and courses taken
- No teaching assistant or research assistant positions will be approved
- No secretarial/administrative assistant positions will be approved
- The student's supervisor must work in the same department
- The supervisor must be a qualified mentor in the student's field of study (other student employees do not qualify)
- The supervisor must be able to oversee the student's work, ensure correct principles are applied, and provide appropriate feedback
👤 Supervisor Qualifications
An educational background/degree is preferred, but extensive experience in the industry may qualify the supervisor as an internship supervisor.