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Internships

 

The Internship

The Community Health Program at Tufts University offers a  second major for students interested in: public health, health policy, health economics, social work, medicine or other health related fields.  Students gain an understanding of factors that shape the health of the communities, health policy, and the institutions that plan, regulate, and deliver health services.  Through classes and field work, the Program exposes students to: (1) analyses of  major health issues and of the institutions that plan and deliver services; (2) the variety of social, psychological, environmental, cultural and political  factors that influence health and health care as well as (3) the ways people maintain health and cope with illness. The program is multidisciplinary in nature, draws students from all academic majors, and includes courses in economics, public health, epidemiology, medical ethics, history, and sociology.

The internship, a one-credit field placement (CH180) accompanied by a one-credit academic seminar (CH181), is an integral part of the Community Health Program. It is designed to offer second semester juniors and seniors a  “hands-on” work experience in the community health field. Students work in hospitals, clinics, public health systems, government agencies and community-based organizations, and with private organizations such as consulting firms or research institutions.  Students are expected to work at least 180 hours in their internship.  This is equivelant to 14 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters and 18 hours per week during the ten-week summer session.

The internship program is designed to enable both the agency and the student to mutually benefit from the experience.  As interns, students are expected to make positive contributions to the agency.  In return, placements offer students valuable opportunities to try out new work roles and to interact with diverse professionals in the health field.  Community health students provide services such as client advocacy and outreach, health screening, constituent services, policy analysis, health education, data collection and analysis, research design, program development and evaluation.

The Community Health Program Internship Coordinator provides students with a structured learning experience to both set and evaluate personal and professional goals and objectives.  In addition, students receive regular supervision on site as well as a final performance evaluation. During the course of the semester the Coordinator and site supervisor  collaborate to ensure that both students and agencies are satisfied with the placement.

The semester culminates with a poster presentation, where students present research they have been working on during the course of the semester.  Supervisors and site staff are encouraged to attend  the poster presentation.

 If you have any questions about the internship, please contact the Internship Coordinator, Linda Martinez at the Community Health Program, 617-627-5455 or linda.martinez@tufts.edu

 

 

 

 

About Internships - Kelsey, Class of 2005

I chose to intern at the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) of Massachusetts. NAMI-MASS is a grassroots family-based organization, dedicated to supporting and advocating for the needs of people affected by mental illness.  I primarily assisted the Director of Affiliate Development with the organization of the first NAMI-MASS WALK in Boston.  NAMI walks were held in almost 40 communities around the country.  During my internship I met with local NAMI affiliates, attended educational programs and community group meetings statewide, and corresponded with local and state mental health organizations to provide support and information about NAMI-MASS programs and the WALK.  I also assist with internet-based research and media campaign outreach as needed.  

I had the opportunity to gain insight and knowledge about the logistics and planning needed to organize such a large event.  The WALK was a success!  There was about 4,000 walkers and $250,000 in total WALK donations, making the 2004 NAMI-WALK Boston the largest NAMI WALK in the country; as well as the biggest mental health event in the United States to date.  It was an incredible experience to be able to work with the NAMI-MASS community on a project from the beginning planning stages, right up until the big WALK day.  This internship experience was an invaluable and memorable part of my education at Tufts.