Launch Your Health Career Journey

In order to ensure that all interns receive the full range of HCC’s benefits, we require all selected interns to be able to complete a full-time, 10 week educational internship experience. Interns learning by doing through a hands-on internship placement and HCC’s comprehensive career and professional development educational program. This combination of program components requires a full-time commitment Monday through Friday during daytime work hours (schedule to be determined with the host organizations and by HCC scheduled educational activities). Internships are 10 consecutive weeks from your start day (i.e. no vacations or breaks during your internship and no summer school, MCAT prep or other summer job commitments), typically end of May or in June.

The primary focus of the HCC health internship program and workshops are to provide students with an educational experience, exposure and work experience in public health and health-related settings. Interns will work on meaningful projects throughout the summer under the guidance of a preceptor.

Summer workshops are a mandatory complement to student internships. HCC workshops are designed to provide students with guidance related to career development, networking opportunities and a safe space to develop as a health equity champion.

Projects vary by organization, but may include topic areas such as, but not limited to: health promotion/education, community organizing, finance/accounting, policy analysis/advocacy, research, quality improvement, behavioral/mental health, communications and biotechnology.

HCC offers internships across the nation:

• Northern California
• Central California
• Central Coast of California
• Southern California
• Coachella Valley California
• New England
• New York Metropolitan Area
• North Carolina
• Mid-Atlantic (Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Baltimore)
• Greater Chicago
• Detroit Metropolitan Area
• Minneapolis
• Tennessee
• Remote Opportunities

HCC does not provide academic credit, but we do support students who would like to receive academic credit for their summer health internship. All HCC interns must obtain and present all necessary documents to HCC prior to the internship to accommodate any adjustments necessary to meet the requirements of the credit-granting institution.

Many HCC interns are hired on a full-time or part-time basis and some summer interns may extend their internship or continue on a volunteer basis upon exemplary completion of their health internship. This is not guaranteed, and the decision is at the sole discretion of the placement organization.

Yes, HCC encourages students to explore career options and fields through HCC internships. HCC specializes in providing opportunities for students to learn about different health career paths and our extensive workshops empower students to choose the health career that best suits them.

HCC’s summer health internships are designed for undergraduate students (4-year college or community college) and recent graduates (up to 3 years out of college) wishing to gain work experience in healthcare, public health, behavioral health, advocacy and biopharma-related settings. While the majority of HCC interns are college juniors, seniors, or recent graduates, we also consider sophomores and freshmen who demonstrate a commitment to community and interest in healthcare, public health, primary care, and/or behavioral health. , with demonstrable academic achievement, maturity, and prior work experience.

Students from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply!

HCC does not provide internships for students enrolled in graduate programs, with the exception of specialized programs in the New England region.

International students are also able to apply; however, they must be attending school in the United States, and HCC and its sponsoring organizations cannot provide any documentation or support for immigration-related purposes (such as sponsorship or work visas). It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain appropriate permissions and fulfill any governmental requirements. If you are a DACA student or applying for DACA, you are eligible to apply.

HCC offers a part-time educational program called Community Health Leaders Program (CHLP).

The CHLP includes a robust series of interactive cohort-based learning sessions, virtual workshops, leading national speakers, career exposure panels, career planning activities, graduate education preparation and skill-based training. Participants build invaluable relationships, learn networking skills, develop new professional skills and increase their knowledge of key issues and strategies to become leaders who advance community health improvement for all. CHLP fellows gain valuable knowledge of trends in community health and valuable professional and leadership skills such as working in teams, project management, data analysis, advocacy, engaging community and policy stakeholders, patient-centered care, philanthropy, and research. CHLP Fellows learn to recognize and address geographic, cultural, and social contexts that undermine health challenges for rural and urban underserved communities. Throughout the program, Fellows apply their learning through educational team-based consulting projects in partnership with health organizations seeking to advance health access and improvement.

Most CHLP educational virtual activities take place between 9a-1:30pm PT/12pm-4pm ET Monday – Friday, though additional workshops and meetings may be scheduled at other times. CHLP Fellows receive a $2,000 educational stipend.

For more information on our Community Health Leaders Program, please visit our Programs Overview page.

You must be able to legally work in the United States to be eligible for the internship. If your Visa allows you to receive a stipend, you would qualify. You should check with your school’s student services or financial aid office. Let them know that the internship is an educational and training experience (as opposed to a salary for work performed) and the stipend is for that purpose, which can make a difference. If you are a DACA student or applying for DACA, you are eligible to apply.

Taking summer school classes, studying for standardized tests (such as MCAT or GRE), or assuming any other paid or voluntary positions during the internship period are not permitted. Many students have found that interning full-time and participating in HCC’s comprehensive educational programming for ten weeks has been more challenging than they anticipated. HCC requires that your involvement in our program be the main focus during the summer. You must inform us if you have needs or plans for this summer in your application and in the initial interview if you are selected.

If you have other commitments, you may consider our Community Health Leaders Program, which is a part-time program.

Please estimate to the best of your abilities your anticipated GPA. When grades are released, you may email us with your correct GPA, and we will update your application for that cycle.

Internship Placements include: hospitals, health systems, community health centers, policy advocacy organizations, public health departments, behavioral health agencies, biotechnology companies, and community-based organizations.

You can view examples of our placement sites in the Placement section of our website above.

Language proficiency, other than English, is not required. Many of our host organizations work in communities and have projects where knowing a specific language is important in being able to work with their target populations and other stakeholders. Therefore, if you can speak and/or write in these or other languages and dialects, you should mention this in your application.

HCC places interns in leading and highly reputable:

• Academic Medical Centers
• Hospitals and Health Systems
• Community Health Centers
• Public Health Departments
• Health Plans
• Foundations
• Consulting Firms
• Medical School Pathway Programs
• Professional Associations
• Community-based Organizations
• Medical Groups
• Policy & Advocacy Organizations
• Health Pipeline Programs
• Government Agencies
• Behavioral/Mental Health Organizations
• Biotechnology/Biopharmaceutical Companies

HCC does not provide internet access to interns working remotely or in hybrid settings. Interns are responsible for ensuring reliable internet access is available for the purposes of their internship.

Those participating in the Community Health Leaders Program are required to have their camera on for all sessions, therefore a strong internet connection and proper technology are required for participation.

HCC does not provide housing or transportation in the city of your placement. Students are required to provide their own transportation to in-person and hybrid internships either by public transportation or by use of their own personal vehicle. We strongly encourage you to only select regions on your application where you have housing available.