Internships

The internship, a 3-credit field placement (HSC 485)  is an integral part of the Community Health Program. Second semester juniors and seniors conduct  “hands-on” work experience (with onsite supervision) in diverse community health fields ​

• A college internship can lead to a job​

• An internship in college can help kick start your professional resume​

• Internships can be a test run for your career​

• You can learn new skills as an intern​

• Internships can grow your professional work​

• You can get a professional reference​

• And – some college internships pay.

• Start by asking your school about internships for college students​

• Network - talk to people – students, teachers, family, friends, etc.​

• Visit Career Development Services Office​

• Identify career interests​

• Look for internships on company websites. ​

• Search for online job boards for internships for college students – e.g. Monster, Glassdoor, Indeed,  Career Builder, Internship.com, job search engines, classifies ads​

• Search internship-specific job boards – e.g. Chegg.com, Collegerecruiter.com, globalExperiences.com, InternJobs.com, Idealist.com, USAjobs.gove, WayUp.com​

• Search the City or County Chambers of Commerce ​

• Attend career fairs -Telephone or visit employers in your geographic and/or career areas of interest and inquire about summer jobs/internships. Be sure to follow up with employers whenever possible to arrange an in-person or telephone interview.​

• Social media – LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter​

• Become an entrepreneur​

• Gain experience as a new graduate or career changer

It is never too early to start looking for an internship. You want to make sure to apply well in advance of the deadline so start searching as soon as possible.

Yes, some internships are paid.

If your workplace is approved as a community health internship site, you may conduct your internship with someone outside or a department other than your worksite.

International students receive authorization to work in an internship through their Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT is authorized by CSULB for international students participating in curricular-related employment such as cooperative education, work-study, practicum and internship programs. To find out more about CPT, click the following link: http://www.careers.csulb.edu/students/internships_prepare.htm.

120 hours at their internship site.

Yes; however, keep in mind your role and responsibility must be non-clinical. You cannot be shadowing a nurse, treating patients, etc.

No, the internship class is a requirement for a degree in Health Science of which 120 hours is the minimum number of hours to earn a grade.

Yes, you must get approval from risk management and your instructor before proceeding. 

If you are able to get approval for your internship instructor and CSULB risk management works with the organization to get an affiliation agreement in place you can do an internship in another state.

Students are not allowed to start an internship until the first day of the semester and the internship site has been approved by the internship professor.

This is something that would need to be discussed with the internship professor.
 

Tentatively, yes. For the time being, some sites offer remote internships. However, many organizations are transitioning back to face-to-face, in-person work. Additionally, it is in your best interest to find such internship as the health education and public health field work hands on with people in communities.