Internship - Frequently Asked Questions

What is an internship at Public Health?

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) internship/practicum program is designed to offer college level students, both graduate and undergraduate, an opportunity to gain work experience in state government. Applications are received and matched with specific internship opportunities in various programs at IDPH. This program offers many benefits:

Promotes better ties with academic community as well as an opportunity to create a "real world" working environment.
Provides opportunities to network and meet many other health professionals.
Provides programs with opportunities to screen for future employees.
Enhances individual performance and provides valuable job skills.
Students complete valuable work products and introduce new ideas.

Why is the Iowa Department of Public Health committed to students?

The Iowa Department of Public Health is committed to offering quality graduate practicum experiences and undergraduate or graduate internships for students from any academic institution. The department may be able to offer paid or unpaid experiences that meet the interests and needs of students. Students are encouraged to review the IDPH web page at http://www.idph.state.ia.us to gain a general understanding of department structure and program areas before applying. Students are then encouraged to follow the application procedure as outlined on the department web site. For more specific information, contact the Student Intern Coordinator at the Iowa Department of Public Health: Lorraine Brockman, 515 281-4954 to discuss opportunities and contact information linking the student to the most appropriate program to match their interests.

Who is eligible to apply?

Students currently enrolled in an accredited college, university, community college, trade/vocational school, or business program leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate may apply.
Students attending out-of-state institutions are also encouraged to apply.

What are the differences between and internship and a practicum?

Internship: To be eligible for an internship with the IDPH, students may or may not be receiving academic credit for fulfilling an academic requirement of an accredited academic institution for this work. Interns may be paid or unpaid. This term is most commonly used in undergraduate programs.

Practicum: This term is most commonly used in graduate programs. Graduate students can apply for an IDPH internship or a student worker position to fulfill their practice experience requirement. Practicums may be paid or unpaid. The practicum experience promotes a variety of public and community health practice opportunities to meet the needs of both the student and the preceptor (site supervisor).

What are some common responsibilities in an internship/practicum?

Many internships/practicums at the department vary from person to person. The department has so many programs, each person will have different duties and responsibilities, yet the following responsibilities apply to all.

Work assignments should be related to the department only, and should be determined following careful consideration of the intern’s skills, knowledge, and experience.
Each site supervisor will develop a written description of the scope of work for each intern position, outlining specific duties and tasks. This should be done with the input of the student.
Supervisors and staff employing interns should monitor the student’s assignments and provide the guidance and support to promote their growth and performance.

Links to information about Internships at IDPH