Internship Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Organization Type: State Government
Policy Areas: Health Policy
During my internship, I developed a deeper understanding of how State Health Departments function, particularly how grants, programming, implementation, planning, and evaluation all connect to drive public health initiatives. I was also introduced to the policy side of public health and was surprised by how integrated policy is, even in areas where it may not seem immediately relevant. Policy influences everything, from funding priorities to the structure of programs, and plays a foundational role in creating meaningful change. Another major takeaway from this experience was the importance of partnerships and collaboration. I saw how essential it is to build strong relationships with community organizations, other government agencies, and local leaders in order to make progress on public health goals. These partnerships help ensure that the work being done is informed by and responsive to the needs of the communities being served. The most valuable aspect of this internship was the flexibility to explore so many different parts of public health. I was encouraged to ask questions, observe meetings across departments, and contribute to projects involving everything maternal and child health related. This experience helped me better understand my own interests, skills, and understand where I need to grow. I would strongly recommend this internship to any student looking to explore the wide range of opportunities within the public health field.