HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES




PUBLIC HEALTH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The Central Michigan District Health Department [CMDHD] has the capacity to provide college seniors, preparing for graduation, an internship opportunity as it has Affiliation Agreements with local college departments.

The Internship Program offers a student:
  1. The opportunity to develop the design of their internship experience based on their specific needs and the needs of the agency;
  2. The ability to coordinate and evaluate a project with the assistance of a public health professional, serving in a supervisory capacity;
  3. Opportunities to observe and dialogue with other health professionals within the agency gaining insight of and appreciation for the diversity of services that CMDHD offers. The purpose of an internship is for the student to use her/his knowledge and resources, learned through college experience, as a way to integrate educational skills within a work environment.

Historically, interns have been enrolled in the Health Education/Promotion curriculum. However, with the expressed need for an expanded national health workforce, potential interns are seeking degrees in such areas as:
  • Social Work
  • Nutrition
  • Psychology
  • Marketing
  • Health Administration
  • Exercise Physiology

The Central Michigan District Health Department, in acknowledging an increased need for public health employees, has the ability to offer various opportunities throughout the agency.

Internship opportunities are based on prudent examination of the needs of both the student and CMDHD. A primary goal for CMDHD is to be able to offer a learning experience of the highest quality, allowing students to become more knowledgeable about the role of public health in today’s healthcare environment.

Students who have applied and been accepted for an internship with CMDHD will experience the following:
  1. An interview / selection process.
  2. Setting of goals and objectives developed by the student in cooperation with the CMDHD Internship Supervisor.
  3. Monitoring his/her goals and objectives with assistance from the CMDHD Internship Supervisor.
  4. Weekly meetings with the CMDHD Internship Supervisor.
  5. Work with other CMDHD personnel in such areas as: coordination of services, public relations, media relations, public speaking, event planning, coalition participation, forms development, and grant writing.
An internship placement is usually 12-15 weeks in duration, coinciding with the academic calendar of area colleges and universities. A “work week” consists of 35 hours. CMDHD offices are normally open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Internship opportunities are based on prudent examination of the needs of both the student and CMDHD. A primary goal for CMDHD is to be able to offer a learning experience of the highest quality, allowing students to becoming more knowledgeable about the role of public health in today’s healthcare environment.

Students wishing to complete an internship at CMDHD need to notify their respective Intern Coordinator assigned, to their respective discipline of study, at the college or university the student is registered and attending.

For additional information and/or an internship request form, please call (989) 773-5921, ext. 109.