FAQs

HCC offers a part-time program called Health Equity Scholars (HESP). The Health Equity Scholars Program is an 8-week, 20 hours per week commitment, primarily between the hours of 8am – 5pm Pacific Time.  Participants may be able to attend summer school, prepare for standardized tests, participate in other programs, or volunteer, as long as it does not conflict with HESP programming. Scholars receive an educational stipend for program completion. Stipends are $2,000.

HESP provides a robust, entirely remote experience that empowers scholars with knowledge, skills, opportunities, and connections to become health equity leaders. Scholars work on team consulting projects for our healthcare partners and are required to attend HCC summer workshops.

For more information on our Health Equity Scholars Program, please visit our Health Equity Scholars Program page.

Internships are ten (10) consecutive week, full-time placements (40 hours/week) that typically run from June through August. The start dates are flexible contingent upon the availability of the intern and the host organization. However, interns must attend initial orientation and all HCC programming. Interns must adhere to the business hours of their host organization. Typically, business hours are from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

The summer program and orientation dates will be communicated to you once you have received your placement for the summer.

The primary focus of the HCC health internship program and workshops are to provide students with exposure and work experience in public health and health-related settings. Interns will work on meaningful projects throughout the summer under the guidance of a preceptor.

Summer workshops are a mandatory compliment to student internships. Workshops are included in your 40-hour work week and typically occur during your work day. HCC workshops are designed to provide students with guidance related to career development, networking opportunities and a safe space to develop as a health equity champion.

Projects vary by organization, but may include topic areas such as, but not limited to: health promotion/education, community organizing, finance/accounting, policy analysis/advocacy, research, quality improvement, behavioral/mental health, communications and biotechnology.

HCC offers internships across the nation:

• Northern California
• Central California Valley
• Southern California
• Coachella Valley California
• New England
• North Carolina
• Mid-Atlantic (New York, WDC, Philadelphia, Baltimore)
• Mid-West (Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis)
• Remote Opportunities

All HCC interns are paid educational stipends that range from $4,200 – $6,000 for completing the ten (10) week, full-time consecutive summer internship. The stipend amount is dependent on various funding streams and what the host organizations are able to provide. Some industries are funding above $6,000.

Stipends are dispersed in three installments throughout the course of your internship.

In addition, we encourage students to pursue internship funding from their college or university and work-study funds, if available, from their academic institution. Please see question #6 for details, as instructions for pursuing work-study are identical to those for academic credit.

HCC can support students who would like to receive academic credit for their summer health internship. All HCC interns must obtain and present all necessary documents to HCC prior to the internship to accommodate any adjustments necessary to meet the requirements of the credit-granting institution.

Many HCC interns are hired on a full-time or part-time basis and some summer interns may extend their internship or continue on a volunteer basis upon exemplary completion of their health internship. This is not guaranteed, and the decision is at the sole discretion of the placement organization.

Yes, HCC encourages students to explore career options and fields through HCC internships. HCC specializes in providing opportunities for students to learn about different health career paths and our extensive workshops empower students to choose the health career that best suits them.

HCC’s summer health internships are designed for undergraduate students (4-year college or community college) and recent graduates (up to 3 years out of college) wishing to gain work experience in healthcare, public health, behavioral health, advocacy and biopharma-related settings. While the majority of HCC interns are college juniors, seniors, or recent graduates, we also consider sophomores and freshmen that demonstrate a commitment to community and diversity and interest in public health and/or health care, with demonstrable academic achievement, maturity, and prior work experience.

Students from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply!

HCC does not provide internships for students enrolled in graduate programs.

International students are also able to apply; however, they must be attending school in the United States and HCC and its sponsoring organizations cannot provide any documentation or support for immigration-related purposes (such as sponsorship or work visas). It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain appropriate permissions and fulfill any governmental requirements. If you are a DACA student or applying for DACA, we strongly encourage you to apply.

You must be able to legally work in the United States to be eligible for the internship. If your Visa allows you to receive a stipend, you would qualify. You should check with your school’s student services or financial aid office. Let them know that the internship is an educational and training experience (as opposed to a salary for work performed) and the stipend is for that purpose, which can make a difference. If you are a DACA student or applying for DACA, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Taking summer school classes, studying for standardized tests (such as MCAT or GRE), or assuming any other paid or voluntary positions during the internship period are not permitted. Many students have found that interning full-time and participating in HCC’s comprehensive workshop programming for ten weeks has been more challenging than they anticipated. HCC requires that your involvement in our program be the main focus during the summer. You must inform us if you have needs or plans for this summer in your application and in the initial interview if you are selected.

If you have other commitments, you may consider our Health Equity Scholars Program, which is a part-time program.

Please estimate to the best of your abilities your anticipated GPA. When grades are released, you may email us with your correct GPA, and we will update your application for that cycle.

Internship Placements include: hospitals, health systems, community health centers, policy advocacy organizations, public health departments, behavioral health agencies, biotechnology companies, and community-based organizations.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

Northern CA:

1. Lifelong Medical
2. Native American Health Center
3. Biomarin Pharmaceuticals

Southern CA:

1. Altamed Health Services
2. UCLA Summer Urban Health Fellowship
3. City of Hope

Coachella Valley:

1. Desert Oasis Healthcare
2. Borrego Health
3. FIND Food Bank

Central Valley

1. Central Valley Health Policy Institute
2. UCSF Fresno
3. Dignity Health Mercy Medical Center 

North Carolina:

1. Boys & Girls Club of Lumbee Tribe
2. Hope Clinic
3. Hoke County Health Department

New England:

1. Brigham & Womens Faulker Hospital
2. Tectonic Therapeutic
3. Boston Public Health Commission

Mid-Atlantic: 

1. American Dental Education Association
2. Baltimore City Health Department
3. Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health

Mid-West:

1. Detroit Health Department
2. Hennepin County Public Health
3. Northwestern Medicine

Our application generally opens in the fall for the upcoming summer. HCC staff reviews the applications and selects a number of candidates for Round 1 interviews. All applicants who apply will be notified of their status. After Round 1 interviews are conducted, finalists are selected to move forward to interview with potential host site organizations. Final placements are made by HCC staff and are based on a combination of factors to select interns based on a holistic review process. Feedback from both our sites and students are taken under consideration, but students do not select their final placement. Efforts are made to finalize placements as soon as possible. Read details on our Selection Process page.

HCC applies a comprehensive review and thoughtful consideration of an applicant’s qualifications and background.

Some key factors considered are:

• Demonstrated interest and commitment to healthcare and/or public health including but not limited to health management, policy, public health, community health, health disparities, behavioral/mental health, biotechnology and health education.
• Strong interest in addressing the health needs of underserved communities.
• Content and quality of short essay responses, which follow the guidelines listed in the prompt.
• Articulated reason and rationale for interest in Health Career Connection.
• Health or public health-related coursework
• Overall grade point average (no minimum GPA required) and/or rationale.
• Ability to participate full-time during the internship for 10 consecutive weeks .
• Personal background (such as racial/ethnic identity, first to attend college, financial barriers, LGBTQ+, veterans, persons with disabilities, etc.)
• Language skills, and cultural and community knowledge relevant to potential internship placements.
• Prior academic and/or professional experiences relevant to the applicant’s understanding and motivation in the health professions.
• Communication, data, computer, outreach, research and other skills that can be applied to internship projects.
• Applicant location and availability of transportation.
• Professionalism and maturity sufficient to be successful in the internship.
• Quality of fit with host organization expectations and opportunities.
• Leadership and initiative (experience in student organizations, clubs, student government, community organizing, etc.)

Visit our Selection Process page for more information.

Language proficiency, other than English, is not required. However, many of our host organizations work in communities and have projects where knowing a specific language is important in being able to work with their target populations and other stakeholders. In these cases, they request or may give preference to students who can communicate in a language aligned with their needs. Common languages requested by host organizations include Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Tagalog, Russian, Cambodian, Hmong, Thai, and Vietnamese. If you can speak and/or write in these or other languages and dialects, you should mention this in your application.

HCC places interns in leading and highly reputable:

• Academic Medical Centers
• Hospitals and Health Systems
•  Community Health Clinics
•  Public Health Departments
•  Community-based Organizations
•  Medical Groups
•  Policy & Advocacy organizations
•  Health Pipeline Programs
• Government Agencies
• Behavioral/Mental Health Organizations
• Biotechnology/Biopharmaceutical Companies

HCC does not provide internet access to interns working remotely or in hybrid settings. Interns are responsible for ensuring reliable internet access is available for the purposes of their internship.

Those participating in the Health Equity Scholar program are required to have their camera on for all sessions, therefore a strong internet connection and proper technology are required for participation.

HCC does not provide housing or transportation in the city of your placement. Students are required to provide their own transportation to in-person and hybrid internships either by public transportation or by use of their own personal vehicle. We strongly encourage you to only select regions on your application where you have housing available.