Benefits of Hosting an Internship or Practicum through the Pathways Program
SAVE TIME & MONEY
We promote your position, boost its visibility, collect applications, & pre-screen candidates for the right fit.
ENHANCE TRAINING & SUPPORT
We provide students with supplemental training, professional development, and peer learning opportunities.
STRENGTHEN YOUR PARTNERSHIPS
We connect your health department with students statewide, strengthening academic-practice partnerships.
Benefits of Hosting an Internship or Practicum
Hosting internships or practicum projects can provide numerous benefits to local health departments, including:
Increased Workforce Capacity
Interns and practicum students can contribute to projects, assist with day-to-day tasks, and help fill resource gaps, allowing the department to accomplish more while contending with existing staff shortages.
Fresh Perspectives & Emerging Knowledge
Students often bring enthusiasm, innovative ideas, fresh approaches, and new perspectives that can improve processes and spark creativity. They also bring the benefits of their ongoing education, including their understanding of new technologies, tools, research, and access to faculty expertise.
Future Talent
Hosting internships and practicum projects allows departments to identify and mentor potential future employees. Students gain experience, and departments can build a pipeline of skilled professionals.
Skill Development for Existing Staff
Supervising and mentoring students can help current staff develop leadership, management, and teaching skills.
Enhanced Community Engagement and Visibility
Involving students from local universities or colleges strengthens ties with the community and educational institutions, fostering collaborations for future initiatives. At the same time, hosting internships can elevate the department's reputation as a learning-friendly and community-oriented organization, increasing its appeal to potential partners and funding opportunities.
Diverse Perspectives
Students from different backgrounds can introduce varied viewpoints, enriching the department's work and decision-making processes.
Citations: Gerding, J. A., Hall, S. K., & Gumina, C. O. (2020). Exploring the Benefits and Value of Public Health Department Internships for Environmental Health Students. Journal of environmental health, 83(4), 20–25. Burke, E. M., Biberman, D. A. (2017). Student Practicum as a Bridge to Governmental Public Health Practice: A Survey of Schools and Programs of Public Health. Public Health Reports,132(1):110-114. doi:10.1177/0033354916680610. de Beaumont Foundation & Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. (2022). Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey: 2021 Dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the New Professionals Program timeline?The New Professionals Program is an 11-month program. New cohorts onboard in July of each year and take part in the program until the following June.
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How do I post my practicum opportunity for students to apply?If you are part of NCDPH or an LHD and are interested in posting a practicum opportunity on our Practicum Opportunities Database, please complete the Practicum Opportunity Submission Form to let us know your contact details and some more about the position. The Pathways Program Team will review your completed submission form and contact you with any questions or concerns.
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How are practicum opportunities selected?NCDPH and LHD host sites must complete a submission form to display practicum opportunities in our database. The Pathways Program Team will review completed submission forms for relevancy and completeness and contact the submitter with any questions or concerns. Approved opportunities will be displayed in the Practicum Opportunities Database, where students may apply.
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What is the Practicum Program timeline?Practica are ≥ 6 Weeks in length and offered during summer semesters. The Practicum Program begins the first week of June and ends at the end of July (end time may vary if opportunity is longer than 6 weeks).
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What is the Internship Program timeline?Internships are 12 weeks in length and offered during the Fall and Spring semesters. Fall internships begin the last week in August and end in November Spring internships begin the first week of February and end in April
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How are internship sites selected?NC Department of Public Health (NCDPH) and Local Health Departments (LHD) host sites must complete a submission form to display internship opportunities in our database. The Pathways Program Team will review completed submission forms for relevancy and completeness and contact the submitter with any questions or concerns. Approved opportunities will be displayed in the Internship Opportunities Database, where students may apply.
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How do I post my internship opportunity for students to apply?If you are part of NCDPH or an LHD and are interested in posting an internship opportunity on our Internship Opportunities Database, please complete the Internship Opportunity Submission Form to let us know your contact details and some more about the position. The Pathways Program Team will review your completed submission form and contact you with any questions or concerns. Once approved, we will display your opportunity on the Internship Opportunities Database, where students may apply.
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How do I post my internship opportunity for students to apply?If you are part of the NC Division of Public Health (NCDPH) or a Local Health Department (LHD) and are interested in posting an internship opportunity on our Internship Opportunities Database, please complete the Internship Opportunity Submission Form to let us know your contact details and some more about the position. The Pathways Program Team will review your completed submission form and contact you with any questions or concerns. Once approved, we will display your opportunity on the Internship Opportunities Database, where students may apply.
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What if my agency wants to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a selected candidate’s academic institution?Agencies wishing to establish formal agreements, including MOUs, with academic institutions are encouraged to consult with their business office or legal team and the academic institution’s program director or advisor to determine a path forward.
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How are internship and practicum sites selected?NC Division of Public Health (NCDPH) and Local Health Departments (LHD) host sites must complete a submission form to display internship opportunities in our database. The Pathways Program Team will review completed submission forms for relevancy and completeness and contact the submitter with any questions or concerns. Approved opportunities will be displayed in the Internship Opportunities Database, where students may apply.
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Who should apply?Recent graduates within 3 years of graduating from a related degree program are welcome to apply for open positions listed on the DPH Fellowship Opportunities Database. When applying for an open position, interested candidates should ensure their degree reflects the requirement of the position. NCDPH is looking for candidates that have: A strong academic record Excellent written and verbal communication skills A desire to work collaboratively as part of a team A genuine interest in advancing public health in North Carolina NCDPH and the Pathways Program welcomes candidates from all backgrounds and encourages those interested in applying to check open positions listed on the DPH Fellowship Opportunities Database.
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What is the DPH Fellowship timeline?The DPH Fellowship is 2 years (22 months) in length; each year, fellows will be employed in an 11-month full-time temporary position through the state’s Temporary Solutions program. New cohorts onboard in July, work full-time (40 hours/week) for 11 months until May, and take a mandatory 30-day break in June.
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What will my compensation and benefits package look like at NCDPH?If selected for a DPH Fellowship position, you will be employed in an 11-month full-time temporary position for each year of the program through the state’s Temporary Solutions program. Hourly pay is position dependent. A high-deductible health insurance plan will be available within the first month of onboarding. No other benefits are offered. To learn more about Temporary Employment at NCDPH, please visit their FAQ page.
