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.
