SOPHE 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 2023*
| Session | Application Deadline | Notification Date | Internship Start Date | Internship End Date |
| Spring | November 30, 2022 | December 15, 2022 | January 16, 2023 | May 5, 2023 |
| Summer | March 17, 2023 | April 7, 2023 | May 8, 2023 | August 25, 2023 |
| Fall | July 7, 2023 | July 28, 2023 | August 28, 2023 | December 15, 2023 |
*Subject to change.
Visit SOPHE’s Handshake profile to apply for internships. For questions, email HR@sophe.org with the subject: SOPHE Internship.
Requirements
Starting in 2023, the SOPHE internship now supports interns remotely. Should students be based locally or desire to move to Washington, D.C., they will join 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 health, health promotion and education, health policy, health communications
- Possess strong verbal, written, communication and analytical skills
- Exhibit strong computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office
Application Process
Students should apply to the cycle they are interested via SOPHE’s Handshake profile. Your application must include all of the following in order to be considered:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Writing sample (academic or professional work)
- Transcript
The application and all requested materials must be submitted together on Handshake. 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 is 16 weeks. Interns choose:
- Spring session (January-May),
- Summer session (May-August), or
- Fall session (August-December).
No, the SOPHE internship is a part-time position. 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 local 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 will be required to 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 HR@sophe.org