Thank you for your interest in experiential learning opportunities with Wake County Public Health!
We offer a variety of non-employee learning and service opportunities, including volunteers, clinical rotations, internship preceptor required placements, experiential internships, high school internships and shadowing experiences.
Our department partners with many colleges, universities, and community programs across North Carolina to provide unpaid learning experiences for individuals pursuing careers in nursing, public health, pharmacy, allied health, dental professions and related fields.
Many of these opportunities require that individuals are currently enrolled in an academic institution and must complete a specified number of supervised hours to receive academic credit or meet program requirements. Participants must be under the direction of an appropriately credentialed professional who can complete necessary evaluations.
Most placements, including internships and clinical rotations, are facilitated through established agreements with local colleges, universities, and educational programs. Students should first contact their program’s field placement coordinator to explore potential placement opportunities. Educational institutions are required to have an active contract with Wake County Government before placing students within our agency.
Please complete the application below for experiential learning opportunity consideration with Wake County Public Health.
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Definitions
Internship
A public health internship provides college students with the opportunity to earn college credit while gaining hands-on professional experience in a public health environment. Interns may participate in assigned work tasks based on their academic program, skills and department needs.
- High School Student Internship: A structured learning experience for North Carolina high school students that provides exposure to public health careers, projects and operations while developing practical skills and professional competencies. Please note: Only students 16 and older may participate in this opportunity. High School Student Interns may not work in clinical areas, labs or the pharmacy.
- Undergraduate College Student Internship: A structured learning experience for undergraduate college students that provides opportunities to contribute to public health projects, apply academic knowledge in a professional setting and develop practical skills. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Wake County Public Health and the student's educational institution is required if academic credit is requested.
- Graduate Student Internship: A structured learning experience for graduate-level students that provides opportunities to apply advanced academic knowledge, contribute to public health initiatives and gain professional experience within a public health setting. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Wake County Public Health and the student's educational institution is required when academic credit is requested.
Clinical Rotation
A supervised clinical learning experience for students enrolled in credentialed healthcare or allied health programs. Participants complete required clinical hours within Wake County Public Health programs or clinics to apply classroom learning, develop clinical competencies and fulfill educational or licensure requirements. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Wake County Public Health and the student's educational institution is required.
Shadowing
A short-term observational learning experience, limited to a maximum of eight (8) hours, that allows individuals to observe public health professionals and workplace operations. Participants may observe activities but do not perform work duties or receive financial compensation.
Volunteer
A service-based experience in which an individual voluntarily contributes time, knowledge or skills to support Wake County Public Health programs, services, events or community initiatives without financial compensation. Volunteers may assist with projects, outreach activities, administrative functions or other approved public health efforts.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be officially selected through Wake County Public Health's internship recruitment process.
- Applicants must complete the application in its entirety and include an updated resume and all other required documentation noted on the application.
- Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
- Applicants must complete all onboarding steps, including required forms and screenings.
- A general background check is required for all applicants. Please allow two weeks for completion.
- An SBI background check is required for applicants working with youth under 18 years of age. Please allow four weeks for completion.
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Wake County Public Health and the student's educational institution is required for an applicant to receive academic credit.
- All applicants seeking academic credit must submit a resume, university credit verification, and their course/credit requirements or internship syllabus.
- High School Student Interns must be at least 16 years of age. High School Student Interns may not work in clinical areas, labs or the pharmacy.