It’s one of our favorite times of the year: we are getting ready to welcome new interns into our office!
Each year, UIHI hires full-time public health interns to work on various projects under the mentorship of UIHI staff. The interns assist in the planning, implementation, and follow-up of initiatives happening during their internship period. They also work to establish a relationship with the Department of Health (DOH) and are encouraged to use some time during their internship to shadow DOH employees.
Our interns are able to get out of the office and visit areas around Seattle to learn more about the public health sector. In 2019, our interns visited a few places including:
- Public Health Laboratory in Shoreline, WA
- Washington State Department of Health in Tumwater, WA
- Canoe Journey Landing at the Lummi Reservation
- Marrowstone Island near Fort Flagler State Park where they dug for butter clams
Interns get an opportunity to learn Indigenous approaches and grow skills
The internship program creates a space for Native students to build their skills and knowledge of public health and helps train the next generation of public health workers. The goal is to have a larger network of Native public health students ready to join the workforce.
The interns explore a range of public health career opportunities, participate in indigenous methodology trainings, and gain knowledge that is aligned with the UIHI values. The projects that the interns work on are related to our focus areas of disease surveillance, which include:
- HIV/Hepatitis C
- Suicide and substance misuse prevention
- Diabetes
- Chronic disease prevention
Our interns are making a difference in Native communities
Past interns have gone on to work at UIHI as well as other Native organizations across the country. They also have taken their experiences to graduate school and beyond.
Our internship program is one of our favorite programs. As a Native organization, it is important that we give our best to the future generations of public health workers. We take pride in fostering these interns and showing them how they can make a difference in the community.
If you identify as American Indian and/or Alaska Native and are interested in applying for our 2020 Public Health Internship, visit uihi.org/opportunities for more information, and submit an application by April 1, 2020.