What is the best internship for you?

These are some things to keep in mind when thinking about what the best internship for you is, first being what your interests are and your future careers. Though you might still need to learn what you want to do in the future, think of something you like doing now. If your interest does not directly relate to public health, think of a way you can bridge your interest to the public health world. Let’s say you have an interest in music. Maybe you can look into internships that involve social media or working with children. While interviewing, talk about this passion, and maybe they can put you in a new project where you can add this component. Another thing to keep in mind besides career goals and interest is skill sets. The ideal internship should offer opportunities to grow and expand on your current skill. So with that being said an internship should also provide a culturally competent and engaging setting that encourages growth and development. Another factor to consider when choosing an internship is looking at the company’s mission and seeing if that aligns with your life and career goals, if not you may reconsider applying or accepting their offer because do you truly want to work in an environment that does not see eye to eye on your beliefs but that’s a question only you will have the answer for. In terms of what this looks like, if the organization’s goal does fit with you, for example, if you are passionate about sustainability, an internship at an environmental organization may be a good fit. This would provide you with hands-on experience in a field you care about while also helping you build industry connections. Another crucial part of when looking for the best internship for you is the level of mentorship and guidance provided in the program, especially if the area of work that the organization focuses on is one that you may have little to no experience you may want or need extra assistance, this is worth asking while interviewing as well. Even if you have experience in the field of study in which the organization works, a good internship offers opportunities for the intern to work closely with experienced professionals who can offer guidance, feedback, and support. This can help interns like you develop new skills and better understand the field. I talked earlier about how important it is that the organization you may be interning at has an inviting environment. Another thing to look into, especially when looking at internship and organization in terms of social context as a person of color, it is important for me to be in a place that is supportive and inclusive to all and values diversity, equity, and inclusion. So that may be something you have to consider as well. Some other factors to think about are money and time. There might be an excellent internship for you, but it may be unpaid, and you may not be able to afford to intern unpaid. Especially as students, we have many obligations to look at, and we have to think of the time before we interview or accept an opportunity. Ultimately, the best internship for an individual will depend on their unique goals, interests, and skillset. By considering these factors and researching potential internship programs, individuals can find opportunities that offer valuable experience and help them take the next step in their career journey.