Internship Program
Overview
The SOPHE Internship program offers participants an opportunity to gain valuable experience in a nonprofit health education organization serving members globally. Internship candidates provide essential administrative support, but other responsibilities vary depending on the time of year.
Many internship candidates are studying:
- Public health
- Health policy
- Health promotion
- Health education
The program can also provide an outstanding background for students studying:
- Hospitality
- Marketing
- Communications
Consideration for students without a public health background is handled on a case-by-case basis.
SOPHE invites anyone to apply, although most internship candidates are either currently in college or graduate school or recent graduates.
Important Dates for 2024-25*
SOPHE has adjusted its internship program to accommodate the needs of interns and the organization. SOPHE accepts applications on a rolling calendar basis for internships to align with the academic calendar (i.e., spring, summer, fall semesters).
| Term | Application Deadline | Notification Date | Internship Start Date | Internship End Date |
| Spring | November 30, 2024 | December 15, 2024 | January 2025 | May 2025 |
| Summer | April 1, 2025 | April 20, 2025 | June 2025 | August 2025 |
| Fall | July 15, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | September 2025 | December 2025 |
*Subject to change.
Applicants will need to download and complete the SOPHE intern application and submit when applying. For questions, email in****@so***.org with the subject: SOPHE Internship.
Requirements
SOPHE offers fully remote unpaid internships. Should students desire to move to the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area, they may join the staff in the SOPHE National office, located at 10 G St. NE, Suite 605, Washington, D.C., 20002. Please note that the SOPHE internship does not offer community or patient interactions.
Requested academics and skillsets include:
- The applicant is currently enrolled or a recent graduate of an educational institution, college, university or continuing education program.
- Completed two or more years of coursework with a 3.0 GPA or above.
- Display an interest in a career related to public health, health promotion, health education, health policy, or health communications.
- Possess strong verbal, written, communication and analytical skills.
- Exhibit strong computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Application Process
Students should send a completed SOPHE intern application along with their resume, cover letter and writing sample to in****@so***.org . Failure to meet any of the above-mentioned requirements may delay, or even prevent, the review of your application.
Academic Credit
- Academic credit for the internship is at the discretion of your college or university.
- SOPHE will provide appropriate information to your school.
- Make arrangements for earning credit before you begin the internship.
FAQ’s
A SOPHE internship lasts a semester (roughly four months), but can be extended if there is mutual interest. Depending on the needs of the organization, an intern may participate in advocacy, program development, membership, communications and marketing activities.
No, the SOPHE internship is part-time. Interns can expect to work 20-25 hours per week.
SOPHE interns can expect to work on a variety of projects pertinent to SOPHE’s mission but similar to other nonprofit voluntary organizations. Among these are advocacy, program planning, communications planning/outreach, research, conference planning, fundraising, chapter development, and administrative responsibilities/data entry.
Upon interviewing, the scope of work and activity is tailored to each intern’s expertise and pertinent to SOPHE’s needs. SOPHE interns will have the opportunity to develop a project in conjunction with SOPHE staff that they will create and complete during their internship.
- Utilization of program planning skills and competencies for health education-sponsored events of SOPHE, including but not limited to the Annual Conference, Annual Advocacy Summit, National Health Education Week.
- Dissemination of membership engagement efforts; health communications and social media platform management; independent writing for social media campaigns, national health observances, and virtual advocacy.
- Conducting seminal research on MPH programs in community health education, including web-based surveys and obtaining IRB review; preparation of an article for publication.
- Development of tool kit, communications plan and evaluation, and liaison with other groups for National Health Education Week; preparation and presentation of a poster at SOPHE’s Annual Conference.
- Assist with research to develop a database of employers for a study of the impact of health education credentialing; development and presentation of a poster at SOPHE’s Annual Conference.
- Development of SOPHE resolution on handgun violence and establishment of SOPHE partnership to various organizations; presentation to SOPHE Board; development of resolution implementation plan.
- Assist with grant writing and proposal development.
- Receive one-year complimentary SOPHE Membership.
- You may have the opportunity to attend health-related hearings and briefings and have valuable opportunities to interact and network with other leaders and members in the SOPHE, health education, and public health communities.
- Gain valuable work experience in a professional office environment, building relationships with professionals who can potentially serve as references and provide letters of recommendation for future endeavors.
- Examine how nonprofit membership organizations operate, are governed, and are managed.
- You will receive firsthand experience planning professional continuing education, assisting with coalition/chapter development and support, planning and implementing advocacy efforts, and other activities related to the advanced competencies of health education professionals.
The ideal candidate will:
- Work with minimal supervision
- Possess excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Be detail-oriented
- Be reliable and prompt
- Commit to a regular schedule
- Deal tactfully with a variety of personalities
- Work in a team environment
- Demonstrate strong organizational skills
- Prioritize and manage multiple tasks and responsibilities
- Be well versed in Microsoft® Office
- Possess internet research and database management experience
- Be highly motivated and be a self-starter
For students interested in participating remotely:
- Stable internet connection
- A functioning computer or laptop
- Access to quiet working areas
For students interested in participating in office:
- Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area has a high cost of living. Please keep this in mind when searching for a place to stay.
- Interns may commute to the SOPHE National Office twice a week.
- SOPHE internships occur in an office setting. SOPHE does not offer on-the-ground community health programs or services.
Additional questions? Send an email to in****@so***.org