Internship Program
Purpose
The Internship Program aims to help junior and senior undergraduates explore and prepare for careers in governmental public health.
Eligibility
Undergraduate students at any North Carolina higher education institution in the Junior or Senior level.
Curriculum
If selected for an internship position posted in our database, you will be enrolled in the Internship Program curriculum and receive the following:
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Synchronous Learning (E-Forums): Required virtual e-forums guided by a discussion prompt that connects back to optional e-learn content, current events in public health, or intern experiences in the program (e.g., successes or challenges faced).
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Asynchronous Learning (E-Learns): The opportunity to complete optional e-learns that provide essential and contextual information about public health in NC.
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Peer-to-Peer Group Coaching Sessions: Group coaching sessions with your cohort, focusing on mutual learning and problem-solving and providing opportunities to share experiences, provide constructive feedback, and set future goals.
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Applied Learning Opportunities:
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Institution-Specific Project Support: Support from the Pathways Program Team and site supervisors in completing final for-credit projects if required by your university degree program.
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Professional Development Events: The opportunity to attend professional development and networking events identified by the Pathways Program Team. Examples of professional development and networking events include research symposia, workshops, and career fairs.
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How to Apply
The Pathways Program is committed to creating an environment where participants from all backgrounds feel valued, respected, and supported. We strive to provide accessible opportunities and cultivate a culture of collaboration that embraces diverse perspectives and experiences.
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To browse open internship opportunities in state and local governmental public health, please visit the Internship Opportunities Database. Candidates will be asked to submit a resume/CV and cover letter.
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.
