Health Policy & Planning Internships

Internship Overview

The Health Policy & Planning (HPP) Internship Program is designed to provide work opportunities and practical learning experiences in public health, policy, planning, and research, with an emphasis on health equity and place-based primary prevention. 

HPP Framework: Primary Prevention & Health Equity

There is a growing recognition that where we live, work, play and go to school shape our health. HPP focuses on building healthy, equitable communities that prevent people from getting sick in the first place. HPP works to ensure all people have the opportunity for health and well-being and seeks to build health equity by addressing the root causes of poor health, such as the social, economic, and physical conditions around us. To achieve this goal, HPP employs expertise in policy, planning, research, equity, communications, and advocacy. HPP has a particular focus on supporting populations with higher rates of preventable health issues and in places with the fewest opportunities for health. 

Focus of Internship Projects

San Mateo County Health is seeking graduate-level (master’s degree) student interns to join the HPP team, a program within the Public Health, Policy and Planning Division. 

Health Education Intern

​The focus of the Health Education Intern will be to assist County Health staff in researching and developing a process for the creation of strategic and culturally relevant communications materials to further advance health equity in San Mateo County. Specifically, the intern will collaborate with divisions across departments as well as engage various community groups to develop a process for health education information dissemination and develop health education materials, as needed, to improve health equity and community engagement. 

More specifically, the intern will work on any or all of the following tasks:  

• Using a health equity lens, support the development of engaging and culturally relevant social media and newsletter content  
• Collaborate with interdepartmental stakeholders to develop a process for health education information development and dissemination 
• Assist in the development of materials in response to community requests and needs   
• Participate in any relevant community and internal meetings  
• Assist in researching and designing an updated health equity webpage  

Communications Intern

The focus of the Communications Intern will be to assist County Health staff in researching and developing strategies to improve and enhance communication of health to further advance health equity in San Mateo County. Specifically, the intern will analyze communications insights, synthesize best practices, and propose solutions to improve communications reach and engagement. 

More specifically, the intern will work on any or all of the following tasks:  

• Track and examine communications analytics and make recommendations based on results and best practices   
• Using health equity lens, support the development of engaging social media content  
• Copy, edit, and schedule content on various communications channels (social media, monthly newsletters, website)   
• Identify creative methods to improve the quality of existing communications and for increasing engagement and audience across all communication channels  
• Source stock photography and create motion graphics or short videos  

Important Internship Program Dates

Summer 2023

• Recruitment: January 31 – February 28
• Application Deadline: February 28, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. PST 
• Communications Intern Interviews: March 13 – 17
• Health Education Intern Interviews: March 27 – 31 
• Summer Internship begins: June 5

Internship Eligibility

• Health Education Intern: Current graduate level (in a master’s program) students and recent graduates from a master’s program focusing on Public Health: Health Education, Health Promotion and Education, Community Health Sciences, or similar Health Education focus- up to one year after graduation date – are eligible to apply.
• You may not be a current San Mateo County employee.
• Successful applicants will possess a deep passion for addressing health inequities and experience working to change them. Relevant experience may include:
  • Personal or family experience dealing with inequitable economic, social, health and educational systems and environments. For instance: being the first in your family to attend higher-education, growing up in a low-income neighborhood, experiencing housing/financial instability, or facing racial/ethnic or other types of discrimination.
  • Professional experience in programs that promote equity (this can be through a multitude of intervention types and variety of locations or organizations).
• Communications Intern: Current undergraduate level (bachelor’s program) or graduate level (in a master’s program) students and recent graduates from either program focusing on communications, journalism, digital media, marketing, with experience in public health preferred – up to one year after graduation date – are eligible to apply.
• You may not be a current San Mateo County employee.
• Successful applicants will possess a deep passion for addressing health inequities and experience working to change them. Relevant experience may include:
  • Personal or family experience dealing with inequitable economic, social, health and educational systems and environments. For instance: being the first in your family to attend higher-education, growing up in a low-income neighborhood, experiencing housing/financial instability, or facing racial/ethnic or other types of discrimination.
  • Professional experience in programs that promote equity (this can be through a multitude of intervention types and variety of locations or organizations).

Internship Term & Pay

This HPP Internship program runs year-round. The Summer Internship cycle runs from June 5 until August 31, 2023 (flexible). The intern must commit to working between 32-40 hours per week. Reasonable timeframe adjustments can be negotiated. The pay range is between $20.27 and $35.67 per hour depending on education and experience.  

How to Apply

Review the job description for the position you are interested in. Click on the online application link to complete application, supplemental questions, and include the following attachments:   

• Cover Letter: Please describe your qualifications for this internship in the cover letter. 
• Resume 
• Writing sample(s)

Communications Intern: Job Description | Online Application

Health Education Intern: Job Description | Online Application

Once the completed application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation. If selected, you will be invited for an interview.