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Health Sciences Program
• Degree Requirements
• Internship Program
• Career Resources
• Community Impact
• Support Health Sciences
View all Degree Programs
Health Sciences Office
Caroline Berger
Internship Coordinator
323 Sinsheimer Labs
Phone: 831.459.5647
Email: cmberger@ucsc.edu
Career Resource Office
Marti Truhitte
Health Career Specialist
Career Center
305 Bay Tree Building
Phone: 831.459.5705
Email: truhitte@ucsc.edu
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HEALTH SCIENCE ITERNSHIPS: Frequently Asked Questins
Surgeon David Rose, a UCSC alum, and intern Matthew Cepeda at the Santa Cruz Medical Clinic |
What is a Health Science internship? The Health Sciences Internship Program offers qualified students a unique opportunity for personal growth and professional development. Paired with a professional mentor, students spend one quarter interning in a community health care setting. Placement opportunities cover a broad range, from individual physicians to community clinics and hospitals, hospices, and public health agencies. Junior and senior health sciences majors are eligible to apply. Applications are due one quarter in advance.
Why should I do an internship? Internships enable you to experience first-hand the challenges and realities facing professional health care providers. You will begin to understand the impact of socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural influences on health and medicine. Internships also promote personal and professional qualities such as communication skills, time management skills, cultural sensitivity, reflection and critical thinking. Furthermore, an internship allows you to demonstrate meaningful community service, a factor that is highly valued by admission boards at professional schools or future employers. Finally, internships enable you to learn if a particular career direction is right for you!
Who is eligible for the internship program? The internship program is open only to declared Health Science Majors and is a requirement of the major. Preference is given to seniors, although juniors may also apply. Candidates must submit a formal application one quarter prior to their internship. Biology 20L is a prerequisite and must be completed before students can be placed.
When should I do an internship? The more experience, maturity and course work you have, the more you will benefit from your internship. Senior year is best, particularly after completing the Medical Spanish course and Human Physiology, although this may not always be possible due to scheduling conflicts. Talk to the internship coordinator early about the best time for you to do your internship.
Where can I do an internship? Internships have been performed in hospitals, community health clinics, community development agencies, county health services – and many other settings. Students have also performed internships with health education outreach programs and organizations that provide health services to at-risk populations, and by organizing community health fairs. The internship office has a binder of placement opportunities. Your own interests and preparation, combined with the needs of a relevant health agency, will determine the focus of your internship.
How do I get placed in an internship? After being selected for the internship program, the Health Sciences Internship Coordinator works with students to prepare them for their internship.
Can I set up my own internship? Yes. However, if you identify an internship possibility on your own, make sure to get approval from the internship coordinator EARLY during the preceding quarter to allow time for the coordinator to communicate with your intended placement supervisor.
When should I start planning for my internship? It's never too early. You should start thinking about the timing of your internship as soon as possible – preferably in your sophomore year. You must apply for the internship program one full quarter before you do your placement.
Vicky Nguyen, Caitlin Carpenter, Kirsten Graves
are students in the Health Sciences Program. |
Can I do an internship in addition to a full load of classes? No. Biology 189 is taken as part of a full load of 15 units. Biology 189 consists of the internship placement, plus a major writing component in the research paper which students complete. The internship course is writing intensive and very demanding. It should not be taken in the same quarter as other highly demanding classes. You want to be able to give your best to the agency you are engaged with!
How much of a committment is an internship? Like any 5-unit course, each 5-unit internship requires a total of 12-15 hours per week. Students are required to complete 10 hours per week (a total of 100 hours for the quarter) at the placement, 1-1/2 hour attending the weekly class, and the remainder of the time researching, drafting and editing the final paper.
How do I apply? Download an application form, fill it out and bring it with you to the next internship information meeting (offered in the second week of each quarter), or contact Internship Coordinator Caroline Berger.
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