Internship Advice for MPH Students

1. Internship Advice for MPH Students University of Toledo Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine

2. Objectives • Know the internship procedures inside and out. • Realize that you need to start thinking about your internship as soon as you arrive on campus. • Know how the forms are to be completed and how to construct an internship portfolio • Understand the importance of the internship for the present and the future. Internship Information for MPH Students

3. Tips for Starting • Listen closely during Orientation. • READ the Student Handbook at www.nocphmph.org as the internship information is there. • As you work through your first semester, start thinking about your work and research interests. Internship Information for MPH Students

4. Tips for Starting • Meet with your advisor • Discuss your goals for the MPH and beyond • Ask questions! • Have initiative! Internship Information for MPH Students

5. More Tips • Talk to your advisor about past student internships, where they interned, what they liked/disliked • Search on your own • Internships do not have to be “local” • Hometowns, abroad • Possibilities are only constrained by a lack of imagination and work ethic Internship Information for MPH Students

6. Internship Procedures • Talk to adviser about best method for contacting potential internship site, particularly if it is a new site. • Once a site is determined, you must meet with your adviser about internship contract and meeting your major and core competencies, evaluation, and internship portfolio. • The competencies are in the Student Handbook. Internship Information for MPH Students

7. Interviewing for Internships • Research the potential site beforehand. • Know the work that is done at the site. • Bring to the interview your ideas for what you can contribute to the site, particularly to their current endeavors. • Do NOT show up unprepared and simply ask what you can do to complete the 275 hours. Internship Information for MPH Students

8. Internship Procedures • All procedures are in the Student Handbook. READ it. • Your internship objectives must meet both core and major competencies. • Thus, you must work with your internship site supervisor and your adviser to ensure you have a proper internship. Internship Information for MPH Students

9. Internship Procedures • Internship Contract: must be completed by you, your site supervisor, and your internship advisor • Copies should be provided to each of these individuals • Internship Evaluation: must be completed by your site supervisor. This is part of your portfolio. Internship Information for MPH Students

10. Internship Portfolio • You must keep track of your daily activities. • Include projects and tasks worked on and completed, with descriptions. • Photos are welcome. • 3-ring binder is most useful. • Talk to your internship advisor and see what prior students have done. • It is turned in to your internship advisor after internship completion. Can be useful for a job interview and thus you should request it if needed. Internship Information for MPH Students

11. Remember • Do not procrastinate on internship searching – waiting until the month before your final term is way too late. • You are ultimately responsible for starting the process of searching for and obtaining an internship. • Work with your advisor and show interest in your field. Internship Information for MPH Students

12. Remember • Your internship should be something you want to do. • Your internship may lead to a job offer and/or contacts with other sites that may have a job for you upon graduation. Will also help with applying for additional schooling. • Take this seriously. • You represent the MPH program and the University. Internship Information for MPH Students